Advancements in silk fibroin and silk sericin-based biomaterial applications for cancer therapy and wound dressing formulation: A comprehensive review

Review on application of silk fibroin hydrogels in the management of wound healing

Wounds are regarded as disruptions in the integrity of human skin tissues, and the process of wound healing is often characterized as protracted and complex, primarily due to the potential infection or inflammation caused by microorganisms. The quest for innovative solutions that accelerate wound healing while prioritizing patient safety and comfort has emerged as a focal point. Within this pursuit, silkworm silk fibroin-a natural polymer extracted from silk cocoons-exhibits a distinctive combination of properties including biocompatibility, biodegradability, superior mechanical strength, water absorption, and low immunogenicity, which align closely with the demands of contemporary wound care. Its remarkable biocompatibility facilitates seamless integration with host tissues, thereby minimizing the risk of rejection or adverse reactions. Furthermore, its intrinsic degradability permits controlled release of therapeutic agents, promoting an optimal microenvironment conducive to healing. This review investigates the multifaceted potential of silk fibroin specifically as a wound dressing material and examines the intricate nuances associated with its application in hydrogels for wound healing, aiming to furnish a thorough overview for both researchers and clinicians. By scrutinizing underlying mechanisms, current applications, and prospective directions, we aspire to cultivate new insights and inspire innovative strategies within this rapidly evolving field.

Polymer-Based Scaffolds as an Implantable Material in Regenerative Dentistry: A Review

Polymer-based scaffolds have emerged as transformative materials in regenerative dentistry, enabling the restoration and replacement of dental tissues through tissue engineering approaches. These scaffolds, derived from natural and synthetic polymers, mimic the extracellular matrix to promote cellular attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. Natural polymers such as collagen, chitosan, and alginate offer biocompatibility and bioactivity, while synthetic alternatives like polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) provide tunable mechanical properties and degradation rates. Recent advancements highlight the integration of bioactive molecules and nanotechnology to enhance the regenerative potential of these materials. Furthermore, developing hybrid scaffolds combining natural and synthetic polymers addresses biocompatibility and mechanical strength challenges, paving the way for patient-specific treatments. Innovations in 3D bioprinting and stimuli-responsive biomaterials are expected to refine scaffold design further, improving therapeutic precision and clinical outcomes. This review underscores the critical role of polymer-based scaffolds in advancing regenerative dentistry, focusing on their applications, advantages, and limitations.

Compliant immune response of silk-based biomaterials broadens application in wound treatment

The unique properties of sericin and silk fibroin (SF) favor their widespread application in biopharmaceuticals, particularly in wound treatment and bone repair. The immune response directly influences wound healing cycle, and the extensive immunomodulatory functions of silk-based nanoparticles and hydrogels have attracted wide attention. However, different silk-processing methods may trigger intense immune system resistance after implantation into the body. In this review, we elaborate on the inflammation and immune responses caused by the implantation of sericin and SF and also explore their anti-inflammatory properties and immune regulatory functions. More importantly, we describe the latest research progress in enhancing the immunotherapeutic and anti-inflammatory effects of composite materials prepared from silk from a mechanistic perspective. This review will provide a useful reference for using the correct processes to exploit silk-based biomaterials in different wound treatments.

A controlled co-assembly approach to tune temperature responsiveness of biomimetic proteins

The controlled co-assembly of biomacromolecules through tuneable interactions offers a simple and fascinating opportunity to assemble multiple molecules into a single entity with enhanced complexity and unique properties. Herein, our study presents a dynamic co-assembled system using the multistimuli responsive intrinsically disordered protein Rec1-resilin and the adhesive hydrophilic protein silk sericin (SS). We utilized advanced characterization techniques including circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and small/ultra-small angle neutron scattering (SANS/USANS) to elucidate the detailed co-assembly behavior of the system and its evolution over time and temperature. To achieve sufficient neutron contrast, we successfully biosynthesised deuterium-labeled Rec1-resilin (D-Rec1). Our research demonstrates that this co-assembly allows the formation of a robust entity with dynamic conformational assembly and disassembly, exhibiting both the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) and lower critical solution temperature (LCST) with reversibility. The assembly and disassembly dynamics of the co-assembled entity at UCST are very fast, while the process is kinetically controlled at LCST. This study provides significant new insights into the interplay of a hydrophilic, multi-responsive IDP and a highly hydrophilic protein, shaping the thermoresponsive and stable properties of the co-assembled entity.

Antidiabetic Effects of Quercetin and Silk Sericin in Attenuating Dysregulation of Hepatic Gluconeogenesis in Diabetic Rats Through Potential Modulation of PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 Signaling: In Vivo and In Silico Studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an intricate disease correlated with many metabolic deregulations, including disordered glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular apoptosis due to hepatic gluconeogenesis aberrations. However, there is no radical therapy to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis disturbances yet. We thus sought to probe the effectiveness and uncover the potential mechanism of quercetin (QCT) and silk sericin (SS) in mitigating hyperglycemia-induced hepatic gluconeogenesis disorder, which remains obscure. Administration of QCT and SS to diabetic male albino rats markedly restored the levels of glucose, insulin, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), liver function enzymes, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), globulin, and glycogen, in addition to hepatic carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and gluconeogenesis in comparison with diabetic rats. Furthermore, treatment with QCT and SS modulated hepatic malondialdehyde (MD), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), in addition to serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), implying their effectiveness in safeguarding cells against oxidative impairment and inflammation. Remarkably, QCT and SS treatments led to the upregulation of expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K), phospho-Akt (p-Akt), and forkhead box-O1 (FOXO1) genes in hepatic tissues compared to diabetic rats, orchestrating these singling pathways for curtailing hyperglycemia and pernicious consequences in hepatic tissues. Importantly, immunohistochemical investigations exhibited downregulation of caspase-3 expression in rats treated with QCT and SS compared to diabetic animals. Beyond that, the histopathological results of hepatic tissues demonstrated notable correlations with biochemical findings. Interestingly, the in silico results supported the in vivo findings, showing notable binding affinities of QCT and SS to PI3K, GPx, and TNF-α proteins. These results imply that QCT and SS could mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation and regulate hepatic gluconeogenesis in diabetic rats. However, QCT revealed greater molecular interactions with the studied proteins than SS. Overall, our results emphasize that QCT and SS have significant therapeutic effects on attenuating hyperglycemia-induced hepatic gluconeogenesis, with QCT showing superior effectiveness.

Unveiling the mechanism of sericin and hydroxychloroquine in suppressing lung oxidative impairment and early carcinogenesis in diethylnitrosamine-induced mice by modulating PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway

This study sheds light on the ameliorative influence of combined sericin and hydroxychloroquine (HQ) on mitigating diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced lung oxidative impairment and inflammation, thereby precluding early carcinogenic episodes in mice. Besides, the pivotal role of sericin and HQ in controlling the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway was probed. Therefore, male Swiss albino mice were assigned to different groups and treated with different drugs. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, in addition to the expression of PI3K and Akt genes were evaluated in lung tissues. Treatment with DEN disturbed the redox homeostasis associated with inflammation in the lungs. Conversely, sericin combined with HQ remarkably upregulated Nrf2 expression in the lungs associated with significant ameliorations of antioxidant factors, including SOD, GST, GSH, and MDA. Furthermore, sericin and HQ abated inflammation instigated by DEN through downregulating NF-κB and inflammatory biomarkers, including TNF-α and IL-6, with an increase in IL-10. Importantly, sericin and HQ treatment significantly downregulated PI3K and Akt expression. Immunohistochemical investigations demonstrated marked diminutions in Ki-67 and p53 expressions in animals cotreated with sericin and HQ compared to the DEN-treated group, inhibiting lung cancer progression. Histopathological and ultrastructural anomalies were detected in lung tissues from the DEN group, while significant enhancements were perceived in lung tissues treated with sericin and HQ. Our findings emphasized that the combinatorial therapy of sericin and HQ could orchestrate the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway in the lungs, counteracting oxidative stress, inflammation, and uncontrolled cellular proliferation and sustaining lung structures. Furthermore, they could serve as anticancer agents, hindering lung cancer progression.

The Promoting Effect of Animal Bioactive Proteins and Peptide Components on Wound Healing: A Review

The skin is the first line of defense to protect the host from external environmental damage. When the skin is damaged, the wound provides convenience for the invasion of external substances. The prolonged nonhealing of wounds can also lead to numerous subsequent complications, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients. To solve this problem, proteins and peptide components that promote wound healing have been discovered in animals, which can act on key pathways involved in wound healing, such as the PI3K/AKT, TGF-β, NF-κ B, and JAK/STAT pathways. So far, some formulations for topical drug delivery have been developed, including hydrogels, microneedles, and electrospinning nanofibers. In addition, some high-performance dressings have been utilized, which also have great potential in wound healing. Here, research progress on the promotion of wound healing by animal-derived proteins and peptide components is summarized, and future research directions are discussed.

Repurposing of sericin combined with dactolisib or vitamin D to combat non-small lung cancer cells through computational and biological investigations

This study aims to repurpose sericin in combating non-small lung cancer cells (A549 and H460) by combining it with dactolisib or vitamin D to reduce the dose of dactolisib and boost the anticancer effectiveness of dactolisib and vitamin D. Therefore, the binding affinities of individual and combined drugs were examined using in silico and protein-protein interaction studies, targeting NF-κB, Cyclin D1, p-AKT, and VEGF1 proteins. The findings manifested remarkable affinities for combinatorial drugs compared to individual compounds. To substantiate these findings, the combined IC50 for each combination (sericin + dactolisib and sericin + vitamin D) were determined, reporting 31.9 and 41.8 µg/ml, respectively, against A549 cells and 47.9 and 55.3 µg/ml, respectively, against H460 cells. Furthermore, combination indices were assessed to lower the doses of each drug. Interestingly, in vitro results exhibited marked diminutions in NF-κB, Cyclin D1, p-AKT, and VEGF1 after treatment with sericin + dactolisib and sericin + vitamin D compared to control lung cancer cells and those treated with a single drug. Moreover, A549 and H460 cells treated with both combinations demonstrated augmented caspase-3 levels, implying substantial apoptotic activity. Altogether, these results accentuated the prospective implementation of sericin in combination with dactolisib and vitamin D at low doses to preclude lung cancer cell proliferation.

Efficacy of propolis and royal jelly in attenuating cadmium-induced spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis dysregulation, causing infertility in rats

Bee-derived pharmaceutical products, including propolis (PRO) and royal jelly (ROJ), possess outstanding pharmacological properties. However, their efficiency in counteracting the deleterious influences of cadmium (Cd) in testes and the relevant mechanisms entail further investigations. Therefore, this study sheds light on the therapeutic efficacy of PRO and ROJ against testicular dysfunction and infertility induced by Cd. Toward this end, 30 mature male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six groups (5 animals/group), including (I) control, (II) Cd, (III) PRO, (IV) ROJ, (V) PRO + Cd, and (VI) ROJ + Cd groups. Furthermore, antioxidant factors, semen quality, hormonal levels, steroidogenic enzymes, and genotoxicity were assessed. Moreover, histopathological and ultrastructural attributes and offspring rates were investigated. The Cd-treated group revealed marked reductions in reduced glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) with an amplification of lipid peroxidation in testes, indicating disruption of the antioxidant defense system. Furthermore, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and DNA damage were significantly heightened, implying inflammation and genotoxicity, respectively. Moreover, steroidogenic enzymes, including 17β-Hydroxy Steroid Dehydrogenase 3 (HSD17b3), 3β-Hydroxy Steroid Dehydrogenase 2 (HSD3b2), 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17A1), and steroid 5α-reductase 2 (SRD5A2) were markedly diminished accompanied with disorders in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone. Besides, spermatozoa quality was reduced, associated with a diminution in the diameter of seminiferous tubules. By contrast, PRO or ROJ significantly protected and/or counteracted the Cd-induced pathophysiological consequences, ameliorating antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers, steroidogenic enzymes, hormonal levels, and sperm properties, along with lessening DNA impairments. Critically, histological and ultrastructural analyses manifested several anomalies in the testicular tissues of the Cd-administered group, including the Leydig and Sertoli cells and spermatozoa. Conversely, PRO or ROJ sustained testicular tissues' structure, enhancing spermatozoa integrity and productivity. Interestingly, treatment with PRO or ROJ improved fertility indices through offspring rates compared to the Cd-animal group. Our data suggest that PRO is a more effective countermeasure than ROJ against Cd toxicity for securing the delicate testicular microenvironment for spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.