The effects of aligned poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibrous mat containing gold nanoparticles after planting onto an injured spinal cord

•The synthesized aligned poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibrous mat containing gold nanoparticles provides hydrophilic characteristics.•The nanofibrous mat conjugated with gold nanoparticles decreased the inflammatory responses.•The planted nanofibrous mat noticeably increased the cell survival and neuronal differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells.