Title:Silk Fibroin Based Drug Delivery Applications: Promises and Challenges
Volume: 19
Issue: 10
Author(s): Shahid Ud Din Wani and Gangadharappa Hosahalli Veerabhadrappa*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagar, Mysuru, 570015,India
Keywords:
Biomaterial, silk fibroin, nanoparticles, anti-cancer, drug delivery, bio-polymer.
Abstract: Background: Silk Fibroin (SF), a natural source material obtained from Bombyx mori, has
been widely enlisted as biomaterial having outstanding mechanical properties. SF has been reported as
one of the propitious bio-polymers for various drug delivery systems, as well as drug delivery vehicle.
Objective: This review is a summary of comprehensive applications of silk fibroin in various drug delivery
systems, and also to present the current opportunities and requirements by furnishing a definitive
assessment on silk fibroin as a polymer.
Results: SF has been reported as one of the propitious bio-polymers for various drug delivery systems,
as well as drug delivery vehicle. SF is inestimable owing to its non-toxic and non-antigenic character,
except for the firmness formation whilst being stored at lower temperature. Unlike other polymeric
biomaterials, SF is regenerated in aqueous systems in defined temperature, pressure and pH, which is
one of its major advantages in formulation. SF nanoparticles are also used to deliver proteins and peptides.
Recently, SF has been used to deliver anti-cancer agents like paclitaxel, doxorubicin, floxuridine,
and methotrexate, and including the natural product curcumin, has shown to elicit significant
biological activity when compared to their conventional form. Interestingly, SF has shown to be a
promising biomaterial for implantables and injectable drug delivery applications.
Conclusion: In the present review, we have summarized the physical and chemical properties, biocompatibility
and non-immunogenic characters of SF and its applications in various drug delivery systems.
