Sericin and fibroin nanoparticles—natural product for cancer therapy: a comprehensive review

Sericin based nanoformulations: a comprehensive review on molecular mechanisms of interaction with organisms to biological applications

“…Several methods are described for SER-based nano-carrier preparation, which are mostly based on enhancing of protein unfolding and decreasing of hydrophobic interactions between the chemical groups into the protein structure. To date, different simplified techniques such as desolvation, self-assembly, and salting-out are usually adopted for manufacture of silk-based nanoparticles, since these techniques uses mild processing conditions and easy to accomplish [ 32 , 33 ]. Besides, other methodologies, such as capillary microdot printing, electro-spraying, microemulsion, supercritical fluid techniques, and electric filed applications are also used in the manufacture of silk mediated nanoparticles.…”

“…The exceptional biological characteristics of SER, such as anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity, make SER-based formulations as promising delivery systems and tissue scaffolds [ 19 , 75 ]. SER has been described as a protein with extensive uses in the medical field with a promising future in tissue engineering, diagnosis, and disease therapies [ 32 ]. This protein biopolymer has been used as inert or non-inert supports to fabricate films, sponges, fibers, patches, scaffolds, hydrogels, micro, and nanostructures [ 75 , 76 ].…”

“…Also, Mandal and Kundu [ 37 ], reported the cytotoxic effects evoked by micellar nanoparticles composed of paclitaxel-loaded SER-Pluronic F-127, showing fast internalization by breast cancer cells followed by Bax upregulation and Bcl-2 downregulation, both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins, respectively. In general, for cancer chemotherapy, SER-based nanoparticles exhibited promising effects attributed to molecular mechanisms involving integrated events initiated by (i) drug-loaded SER-nanoparticles internalization due to clathrin-modulated endocytosis; (ii) nanoparticles disintegration followed by drug release into lysosomes acid pH (observed into tumor environment); (iii) cell death pathways induction such as apoptosis mediated by caspase-3, downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of the Bax proteins; and (iv) nanoparticles accumulation in tumor cells, as a result from EPR-effect [ 19 , 37 ]. Isolated SER anti-tumoral effects were previously reported considering its integrated pro-apoptotic activities like decrease in caspase-3 expression, downregulation of Bcl-2, and human colorectal cancer cell cycle arrest [ 93 ].…”

“…[ 18 ]. Besides, some reports highlight SER as the component of silk dressings containing antibacterial compounds and for natural polymer functionalization (gelatin, chitosan, alginate, collagen, and cellulose-derivatives) and as different forms (nanofibers, sponges, films, glues, nanoparticles, hydrogels, and 3D printed matrices [ 15 , 19 ].…”

Silk derived formulations for accelerated wound healing in diabetic mice

“…There is a long history of utilization of natural materials in the biomedical industry. Amongst many naturally occurring materials, silk obtained from silkworms is considered as an exceptional biomaterial which has a wide range of medical applications ( Jastrzebska et al, 2015 ; Farokhi et al, 2018 ; Tahir et al, 2020 ; Elahi et al, 2020 ). It is classified as a ‘model biomaterial’ due to its remarkable mechanical strength ( Vollrath & Porter, 2006 ; Tahir et al, 2019 ), impressive biocompatibility with skin tissues, negligible immunogenicity ( MacIntosh et al, 2008 ) and minimal bacterial adhesion ( Cassinelli et al, 2006 ).…”