The　achievement　of　nano　distribution　for　inorganic　reinforced　filler　is　a　big　challenge　to　three-dimensional　porous　composite　scaffolds.　In　this　paper,　a　homogeneous　nano　hydroxyapatite/polyelectrolyte　complex　(HAP/PEC)　hybrid　scaffold　was　developed　and　investigated.　Based　on　the　enhancing　properties　of　the　formation　of　PEC　between　chitosan　and　hyaluronic　acid,　the　introduction　of　nano　HAP　via　in　situ　crystallization　from　the　PEC　achieved　nano　distribution　in　the　PEC　matrix　and　supplied　nano　topographies　of　extracellular　environments　for　the　nanohybrid　scaffold.　The　biocompatibility　and　bioactivity　were　evaluated　by　Human　bone　mesenchymal　stem　cells　(hBMSCs)　proliferation　(MTT　assay),　maturation　(alkaline　phosphatase　(ALP)　activity)　and　histological　analysis.　The　in　vitro　tests　show　the　scaffold　is　excellent　for　cell　penetration,　growth,　and　proliferation　and　it　is　promising　for　bone　repair　application.　(C)　2012　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.