Fabrication and Characterization of Multicomponent Polysaccharide/Nanohydroxyapatite Composite Scaffolds

ABSTRACTCarrageenan–hyaluronic acid/nanohydroxyapatite/microcrystalline cellulose composite scaffolds with various amounts of microcrystalline cellulose content (from 0 to 60 wt%) were prepared using freeze-drying method. The results showed highly porous (from 94.0 ± 1.09 to 85.0 ± 1.05%) composite scaffolds with high water-uptake capacity, average pore size ranging 200–650 µm, and improved mechanical properties (in dry and wet states). Additionally, cytocompatibility of composite scaffolds was evaluated by in vitro culture of osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) cells for 1 and 3 days of incubation and demonstrated good cell adhesion, infiltration, and proliferation. Thus, as-obtained composite scaffolds may have promising application in low-loading bone tissue engineering applications.