Shown and described is an insulin-mimetic as an inductive agent for cartilage and/or bone repair is disclosed. Sodium tungstate (Na2WO4) was utilized as an inductive factor to enhance human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis. The chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs was enhanced in the presence of low concentrations of Na2WO4 as compared to control, without Na2WO4. Also disclosed is a composite scaffold capable of supporting cell and tissue growth. The composite scaffold could include zinc oxide and polycaprolactone.