Nanoclay-reinforced HA/alginate scaffolds as cell carriers and SDF-1 delivery-platforms for bone tissue engineering

[Display omitted] •Nanoreinforced HA/Alginate scaffolds were created by a simple mixing technique.•In vitro studies haven proven C2/M2 scaffolds biocompatibility and osteogenic ability.•M2 scaffolds boost mineralization even in a differentiation-free media.•In vivo studies proved SDF-1 release and bone regeneration capacity of C2/M2 scaffolds.•C2/M2 scaffolds showed potential for bone tissue engineering purposes. Bone tissue engineering has come on the scene to overcome the difficulties of the current treatment strategies. By combining biomaterials, active agents and growth factors, cells and nanomaterials, tissue engineering makes it possible to create new structures that enhance bone regeneration. Herein, hyaluronic acid and alginate were used to create biologically active hydrogels, and montmorillonite nanoclay was used to reinforce and stabilize them. The developed scaffolds were found to be biocompatible and osteogenic with mMSCs in vitro, especially those reinforced with the nanoclay, and allowed mineralization even in the absence of differentiation media. Moreover, an in vivo investigation was performed to establish the potential of the hydrogels to mend bone and act as cell-carriers and delivery platforms for SDF-1. Scaffolds embedded with SDF-1 exhibited the highest percentages of bone regeneration as well as of angiogenesis, which confirms the suitability of the scaffolds for bone. Although there are a number of obstacles to triumph over, these bioengineered structures showed potential as future bone regeneration treatments.