Silk fibroin: features, production methods and medical applications

YILDIZ A., MUTLU AĞARDAN N. B., Acartürk F.

Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, cilt.118, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
  • Cilt numarası: 118
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jddst.2026.108066
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Medical applications, Production methods, Silk fibroin
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Silk fibroin is a biopolymer of natural origin which could be obtained simply and affordably from silkworm cocoon using various extraction agents. It has many advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, low toxicity, high water vapor permeability, high mechanical resistance, etc. Owing to those properties, it attracts attention in many fields such as tissue engineering, cancer treatment, enzyme immobilization, wound healing, and the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. This review outlines the properties and production methods of silk fibroin, and comprehensively summarizes its biomedical applications, including tissue engineering (bone, cartilage, musculoskeletal, skin, eardrum, dental, tracheal, tendon and ligament, cardiac, ocular, hepatic, spinal cord and intervertebral disc), artificial skin substitutes, cancer therapy, wound healing, inflammatory bowel disease and drug delivery systems.