Fabrication and Characterization of Multicomponent Polysaccharide/Nanohydroxyapatite Composite Scaffolds

Carrageenan-hyaluronic acid/nanohydroxyapatite/microcrystalline cellulose composite scaffolds with various amounts of microcrystalline cellulose content (from 0 to 60wt%) 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 mu m, 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.