Silk Sericin: A Promising Sustainable Biomaterial for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications

Abstract

Silk is a natural composite fiber composed mainly of hydrophobic fibroin and hydrophilic sericin, produced by the silkworm Bombyx mori. In the textile industry, the cocoons of B. mori are processed into silk fabric, where the sericin is substantially removed and usually discarded in wastewater. This wastewater pollutes the environment and water sources. However, sericin has been recognized as a potential biomaterial due to its biocompatibility, immunocompatibility, biodegradability, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and photoprotective properties. Moreover, sericin can produce hydrogels, films, sponges, foams, dressings, particles, fibers, etc., for various biomedical and pharmaceutical applications (e.g., tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, cosmetics). Given the severe environmental pollution caused by the disposal of sericin and its beneficial properties, there has been growing interest in upcycling this biomaterial, which could have a strong and positive economic, social and environmental impact.

Green cocoon-derived sericin reduces cellular damage caused by radiation in human keratinocytes

“…When the cocoons of B. mori are processed into silk fabric, the sericin is substantially removed and usually discarded in wastewater in the textile industry. However, recent studies have revealed that it is a useful material due to its anti-in ammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties [11]. Kumar et al demonstrated that sericin has protective activity against UV radiation-induced skin damage [14].…”

“…Silk is a natural composite ber mainly composed of hydrophobic broin and hydrophilic sericin, and produced by the silkworm Bombyx mori [11]. Sericin binds and coats the two broin laments in raw silk.…”

“…Among various cocoon colors, green cocoons are rich in avonoids [10]. Flavonoids are polyphenols with diverse structures that exhibit a wide variety of biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-in ammatory effects [11,12]. Since in ammation is involved in radiation-induced skin damage, we hypothesized that green cocoon derived sericin, which is rich in avonoids, may affect such a skin damage To the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated these effects.…”

Research and therapeutic applications of silk proteins in cancer

“…59 With long half-life in vivo and high moisture absorption and desorption abilities, SS is also one of the suitable drugdelivery agents. 31 SS has shown positive results as a drugdelivery system in several studies. 14,62 In Figure 5, a significant reduction in mice tumor was observed when SS-Dextran hydrogel (SDH) was used as the DOX delivery system.…”

“…20,[22][23][24] Some studies have shown that SS has anti-cancer properties, 22,25 anticoagulant activity, 26,27 anti-inflammatory properties, 28,29 and excellent biocompatibility. 30,31 Silk with extraordinary properties is a suitable material for cancer treatment. The degradation rate of SF is controlled by altering the degree of crystallinity during the preparation of the SF.…”