Sericin as a next-generation biomaterial: Properties, applications, and future prospects

Sericin, a natural protein extracted from Bombyx mori cocoons, has attracted increasing scientific interest for its distinctive chemical composition and broad pharmacological activities. Historically utilized in traditional medicine, sericin is now recognized for its diverse therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial activities. Silk sericin is an emerging biopolymer of growing interest in medicine and biotechnology due to its multifunctional bioactivities and formulation versatility. Its chemical composition, biosynthesis, and pharmacological importance make it a promising biomaterial. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the chemical composition and biosynthesis of silk, summarizes and discusses different types of silk-based nano formulations and their applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery, and offers prospects for future applications. It also discusses emerging trends in silk-derived nanostructures and identifies critical research gaps that must be addressed to harness silk's full therapeutic potential.