In an echo of the classic Nezha legend—where the young hero is reborn with a body crafted from lotus roots—a university research team in has harnessed this botanical marvel to develop a real-life bone repair scaffold. Drawing inspiration from Nezha’s lotus-root resurrection, the scientists have transformed legend into a real-world medical breakthrough.

Researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) found that the lotus root’s natural structure—a porous, three-dimensional lattice—can support the regeneration of cells, blood vessels, and even nerve tissue. Its compounds also appear to have strong anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

The team engineered composite scaffolds based on lotus root and implanted them into mice with skull injuries. After two months, the treated mice showed a healing rate of around 50%, while those in the control group showed almost no recovery. The lotus-based scaffold also caused less rejection than traditional bone fillers like bone cement.

Compared to metal or ceramic implants, this natural-inspired material is more compatible with the human body. Researchers plan to begin larger animal trials using sheep and dogs, with the goal of launching clinical studies within three years.