Poly-L-Ornithine Coated Plant Scaffolds Support Motor Recovery in Rats After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

This study demonstrates that plant-derived lignocellulosic scaffolds coated with poly-L-ornithine (PLO) promote locomotor recovery and axonal regeneration following complete spinal cord transection in rats. The scaffolds, produced from decellularized Asparagus officinalis, exhibited aligned vascular channels (~40 µm pores) conducive to neural infiltration. PLO functionalization enhanced neuronal differentiation, axonal sprouting, and myelin regeneration. Animals implanted with PLO-coated scaffolds showed significant improvement in Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) and Karolinska Swim Assessment Tool (KSAT) scores, enhanced neurofilament infiltration, and remyelination at the lesion site. These findings position plant-based scaffolds as a promising platform for neural tissue repair.