The Role of Chitosan and Hydroxyapatite Synergy in Bone Regeneration: Materials Science and Biological Insight

Bone regeneration is a complex physiological process that helps in healing of fractured bone and maintaining skeletal integrity. Chitosan and Hydroxyapatite (HAp) are bio-materials that enhance bone regeneration. The synergistic influence draws the attention of researchers to the use of Chitosan-HAp composite for bone regeneration. However, there is a need to explore more on material properties, fabrication techniques, biological mechanisms and challenges in bone regeneration applications. The biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and synergistic effects of chitosan and HAp play a vivid role in bone regeneration. This paper explores recent advancements in the development of scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix and promote effective bone healing, fabrication techniques such as freeze-drying, 3D printing and nanotechnology, it also explores limitations regarding mechanical properties, scalability, and regulatory hurdles despite the promising attributes of chitosan-HAp composites. The findings show that the use of machine-learning (ML) in forecasting design output and preclinical applications can improve the composite development for effective bone regeneration. Therefore, future research directions should focus on alternative biopolymers, and employ ML techniques to enhance scaffold design and functionality to optimise material properties.