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Abstract With the ability to host anions or neutral drugs, layered double hydroxide (LDH) are hot spots in the field of biomaterials. Intensive works so far only have focused on their application in surface modification or injectable medicine. Yet, little literatures report the potential of LDH as bone implants. In the present study, four types of LDH (Mg Al, Mg Fe, Zn Al and Zn Fe) were prepared via a coprecipitation method. Our results showed that the synthetic LDH powders can be pressed into discs in the absence of binder. The discs can maintain their shape after immersed in culture medium for 10 days, not including Mg Al LDH disc. The elastic modulus of all discs was between 9 and 35 GPa, which was close to cortical bone (5–23 GPa). Zn Al LDH and Zn Fe LDH showed higher cytotoxicity than Mg Al LDH and Mg Fe LDH whether in the form of suspension or extract. Furthermore, even up to 10 mg/mL, the extract of Mg Al LDH and Mg Fe LDH showed no cytotoxicity, while cells were totally died in the extract of Zn Al LDH and Zn Fe LDH. Compared with cells, bacterial showed an even lower tolerance concentration to Zn Al LDH and Zn Fe LDH. This study indicates that Mg-containing LDH show better cytotocompatibility, while Zn-containing LDH show better antibacterial property. With proper elastic modulus and controllable biological effect, LDH are promising to be used as bone implants. Highlights • Mg Al LDH, Mg Fe LDH, Zn Al LDH and Zn Fe LDH are prepared at pH 10. • Pressed Mg Al LDH disc is collapsed when immersed in solution. • The elastic modulus of all the pressed discs is in nature bone range. • Zn-containing LDH show higher toxicity to cells and bacteria than Mg-containing LDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]