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In-vitro Characterization of Silk Sericin as an Anti-aging Agent
Abstract
Silk sericin is a natural macromolecular protein derived from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. It is also a by-product of silk-making. From previous reports, many cosmeceuticals and other cosmetic products have been developed with silk sericin. This study aimed to investigate an anti-aging property of silk sericin by in-vitro characterization using fibroblast cell culture model. The results showed that silk sericin can stimulate collagen type I synthesis, suppress the regulation of nitrite, which nitrite may induces oxidative stress, and up-regulate the expression of b-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2) to inhibit cell apoptosis, without altering fibroblast growth kinetics or cellular ultrastructure. Sericin anti-aging properties were comparable to vitamin C, except for oxidative stress, where silk sericin was superior. The results suggested that silk sericin possesses anti-aging properties that could be usefully incorporated into high-quality cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and food supplements.
... Sericin inhibits apoptosis and stimulates collagen type I synthesis. In addition, it surpasses vitamin C, which has effective anti-aging properties, by limiting oxidative stress [115]. Its anti-apoptotic effects were also investigated in human epidermal keratinocyte cells irradiated with UVB (30 mJ/cm 2 ) [114]. ...
... Its anti-apoptotic effects were also investigated in human epidermal keratinocyte cells irradiated with UVB (30 mJ/cm 2 ) [114]. It inhibits tyrosinase activity and intracellular hydrogen peroxide generation and regulates nitrite, which causes oxidative stress, and the development of b-cell lymphoma 2 is increased (bcl-2) [114,115]. These findings imply that sericin may be able to mitigate mitochondrial damage [114]. ...
... Silk sericin peptide fractions also have potential anti-aging properties [114]. According to the results, silk sericin possesses anti-aging properties that could be successfully exploited in cosmeceuticals, namely lotions, creams, and ointments [112,113,115]. In addition, it can be used to control skin conditions such as dermatitis [112]. ...
There is growing concern about the use of plastic in packaging for food materials, as this results in increased plastic waste materials in the environment. To counter this, alternative sources of packaging materials that are natural and based on eco-friendly materials and proteins have been widely investigated for their potential application in food packaging and other industries of the food sector. Sericin, a silk protein that is usually discarded in large quantities by the sericulture and textile industries during the degumming process of manufacturing silk from silk cocoons, can be explored for its application in food packaging and in other food sectors as a functional food and component of food items. Hence, its repurposing can result in reduced economic costs and environmental waste. Sericin extracted from silk cocoon possesses several useful amino acids, such as aspartic acid, glycine, and serine. Likewise, sericin is strongly hydrophilic, a property that confers effective biological and biocompatible characteristics, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-tyrosinase properties. When used in combination with other biomaterials, sericin has proved to be effective in the manufacture of films or coating or packaging materials. In this review, the characteristics of sericin materials and their potential application in food-sector industries are discussed in detail.
... The various biological activities of sericin, such as anti-aging, antiinflammation, and anti-oxidation, make it become a promising cosmetic and medical biomaterial [13][14][15]. Sericin also has been demonstrated to promote wound healing [16][17][18], because it promotes collagen production, proliferation, and migration, and in particular, can promote collagen formation and reepithelialization [19,20]. Aramwit et al have demonstrated that the methionine in sericin plays an important role in the production of collagen, which in turn promotes wound healing [21]. ...
... Sericin has been demonstrated to promote wound healing and has been extensively studied for the repair of skin injury [17][18][19]. In the most recent research, sericin has been used as a wound repair material in the form of hydrogel or scaffolds, which can be mixed with hydrogel-forming compounds to form hybrid hydrogels. ...
Background:
Sericin and egg white (EW) have shown the ability to promote wound healing. However, there have been insufficient studies regarding the effects of sericin and EW mixtures on wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a hybrid sericin and EW solution on wound repair and inflammation-related indicators in mouse skin.
Methods:
In this work, sericin with a low molecular weight was first mixed with homogeneous EW to prepare a hybrid wound dressing. Histology evaluation, the expression of C-reactive protein (CRP) and inflammatory cytokines in mice were tested to determine the effects of this dressing on skin injuries in mice.
Results:
The results showed that sericin and the hybrid solution of sericin and EW effectively promoted wound healing in mouse skin. The wound recovery rates of mice 12 days after treatment with a medium dose of sericin (0.2 g/mL) and the same dosage of sericin with added EW were 1.32 and 1.65 times that of mice treated with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as a control, respectively. In addition, the mixture solution was more effective in wound healing than sericin alone. Sericin with EW significantly reduced the expression of CRP and inflammatory cytokines in mice during wound healing.
Conclusion:
A sericin and EW hybrid solution can effectively shorten the time needed for wound healing and reduce inflammation-related indicators in mice, making it a promising candidate for wound dressing.
... The sericin extracts derived from cocoon layers [61], castor silkworms [62], wild silkworms [63] or Thailand cocoon layers [64,65] have antioxidant effects and the sericin extracts obtained from these cocoons by using heat treatment and enzymatic methods also have antioxidant properties [60]. Using a skin fibroblast cell line (AH927), sericin exhibited an antioxidant capacity by inhibiting hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress [66], and an in vitro test of sericin showed it to be an antiaging agent [67]. Silkworm silk fibroin and sericin can stimulate cell migration through the upregulation and phosphorylation of c-Jun [68]. ...
... Experiments using mouse monocytes and alveolar macrophage cell lines showed that sericin did not cause inflammatory reactions in the process of wound healing [89], and significantly inhibited the hydrogen peroxide produced in human fibroblasts induced by oxidative stress [17]. NC/ Nga mice fed dietary sericin had improved skin hydration through the silk proteins and an enhanced level of free amino acids, indicating that sericin acts as a good skin moisturizer [67,90]. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the addition of sericin to silver and zinc sulfadiazine cream can promote wound healing for the treatment of burn wounds [91]. ...
... This characteristic may be attributed to the following aspects: (1) Sericin can substitute bovine serum albumin (BSA) or fetal bovine serum (FBS) to support cell culture as a nutrient. For example, serumfree DMEM medium supplemented with sericin (0.05%) can improve the anti-aging ability of skin fibroblasts [80], and RPMI1640 medium containing sericin (0.01%) could maintain the secretory function of pancreatic islet cells to exert hypoglycemic ability [81]. (2) Sericin is capable of supporting cell adhesion. ...
Silk sericin, a natural protein extracted from silkworm cocoons, has been extensively studied and utilized in the biomedical field because of its superior biological activities and controllable chemical-physical properties. Sericin is biocompatible and naturally cell adhesive, enabling cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation in sericin-based materials. Moreover, its abundant functional groups from variable amino acids composition allow sericin to be chemically modified and cross-linked to form versatile constructs serving as alternative matrixes for biomedical applications. Recently, sericin has been constructed into various types of biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, including various bulk constructions (films, hydrogels, scaffolds, conduits, and devices) and micro-nano formulations. In this review, we systemically summarize the properties of silk sericin, introduce its different forms, and demonstrate their newly-developed as well as potential biomedical applications.
... This growing demand offers a good opportunity for cosmetic industry in producing a new product of silkbased. Kitisin, Maneekan, & Luplertlop (2013) investigated an anti-aging property of silk sericin by in-vitro characterization using fibroblast cell culture model. They claimed the ability of silk sericin to stimulate collagen type I synthesis and also to suppress the regulation of nitrite. ...
... Similarly, other animal studies on anxiety, depression, and diabetes have further confirmed that sericin has a potential capacity to alleviate cognitive impairment by modulating the oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis [22,26,27]. An in vitro study has also reported that the anti-aging effect of sericin are comparable to that of vitamin C [28]. ...
Sericin is a protein derived from silkworm cocoons and identified as an anti-aging agent. This study aimed to examine the effects of sericin administration on episodic and avoidance memories, social interaction behavior, and molecular mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the hippocampus of aged mice. Sericin was administered at 250 mg/kg/day (oral gavage) to 2-year-old BALB/c mice for a duration of 21 consecutive days. Lashley III Maze and Shuttle-Box tests were performed to assess episodic and avoidance memories, respectively. Subjects also underwent social interaction test to reveal any changes in their social behavior. Besides, markers of oxidative stress (TAC, SOD, GPx, and MDA) and neuroinflammation mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10) were measured in the hippocampus. The extent of apoptosis in the hippocampal tissue was further determined by TUNEL assay and histological assessment. The obtained results suggest that sericin promotes episodic and avoidance memories and social behaviors in aged mice. As of the molecular assay outcomes, it was noted that sericin regulates hippocampal inflammation by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, and by increasing the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. Moreover, sericin suppressed oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant markers (TAC, SOD, and GPx) and inhibiting MDA. It was also identified that sericin can substantially suppress the apoptosis in the hippocampal tissue. Overall, sericin modulates memory and sociability behavior by tuning hippocampal antioxidant, inflammatory, and apoptotic markers in the aged mice.
... Silk sericin isolated from the B. mori silkworm is a natural protein and it has been examined for the anti-aging property by in vitro identification using the fibroblast cell culture model (Cao and Zhang, 2017). The research compares silk sericin with vitamin C and found that silk sericin evidently ceased the generation of free radicals (Kitisin et al., 2013). This study concluded that silk sericin exerts antiaging activity that could be highly applicable to high-quality cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and food additives. ...
Sericulture is a technique of rearing silkworms on mulberry or non-mulberry plants for the production of silk fibers. It is mainly used for textile industries, but a large amount of sericulture by-products (from silkworm cultivation to post-cocoon technology), can also add the value to the seri-economy. This review presents the diverse promising applications of sericulture natural products and by-products that have an important role in human welfare. It explores multidimensional applications in the fields of regenerative drugs, tissue engineering, medical textiles, drug delivery systems, cosmeceuticals, food additives, and manufacturing of valuable bio-materials. The silkworm pupa conferred the potential applicability in the field of therapeutics, nutritionals, cosmetics, animal feed, fertilizer, etc. Another emerging area have enticed in sustainable applications for biofuels generation by using sericulture wastes. Thus, the traditional sericulture activities have shown its potential for the diverse and novel emerging field of commercial importance including the concept of biorefinery.
... The various biological activities of sericin, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-ageing, have been recognised and it has become a promising cosmetic and medical material, especially in promoting collagen formation and re-epithelialisation. [12][13][14][15][16] In vitro, in vivo and clinical data on sericin as a wound healing accelerator have been reported. [17][18][19][20][21] Furthermore, sericin is reported to show antibacterial action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. ...
Objective
To investigate the potential of sericin extracted by different methods to inhibit biofilm formation (prevention) and disrupt already formed biofilm (treatment).
Method
In this in vitro study, sericin was extracted by heat, acid, alkali and urea. Streptococcus mutans bacteria were cultivated in the presence of various concentrations of sericin to evaluate antibiofilm formation using cell density assay (inhibition effect before biofilm formed). Conversely, various concentrations of sericin were added to a biofilm already formed by Streptococcus mutans bacteria, and the viability of bacteria assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay (disruption effects after biofilm formed). Structures of extracted sericin were evaluated using circular dichroism and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer.
Results
The urea-extracted sericin at all concentrations (12.5mg/ml, 25mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml) showed the highest potential antibiofilm activity in terms of both inhibition and disruption effects, compared with sericin extracted by heat, acid or alkali. The heat-extracted and acid-extracted sericin were found to reduce the biofilm formation dose-dependently, while the alkali-extracted sericin did not show either inhibition or disruption effect on the bacterial biofilm. The urea-extracted sericin also killed the bacteria residing within the biofilm, possibly due to its modified structure which may destabilise the bacterial cell wall, leading to membrane disintegration and, finally, cell death.
Conclusion
Our results demostrated the antibiofilm activity of sericin. This could form the basis of further research on the mechanism and application of sericin as a novel antibiofilm agent.
... Till date, sericin was explored for applications in food supplement, manufacturing of biomaterials, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products (30)(31)(32)(33). Chiefly, it is a macromolecular protein secreted by the silkworm, Bombyx mori, which externally covers fibroin fibers and forms the cocoon. ...
The purpose of the present investigation was to analyze devitrification of amorphous drugs such as lornoxicam, meloxicam, and felodipine in the presence of sericin. The binary solid dispersions comprising varying mass ratios of drug and sericin were subject to amorphization by spray drying, solvent evaporation, ball milling, and physical mixing. Further, obtained solid dispersions (SDs) were characterized by HPLC, ATR-FTIR, H¹NMR, molecular docking, accelerated stability study at 40°C and 75 ± 2% RH (XRD and DSC), and in vitro dissolution studies. The HPLC analysis indicated no decomposition of the drugs during the spray drying process. From ATR-FTIR, NMR, and molecular docking study, it was revealed that H-bonding played a vital role in amorphous drug stabilization. An excellent devitrification inhibition was observed in case of lornoxicam (SDLS3) and meloxicam (SDMS3) SDs prepared by spray drying. On the other hand, spray-dried SD of felodipine (SDFS3) showed traces of microcrystals. The percent crystallinity of SDLS3, SDMS3, and SDFS3 was found to be 7.4%, 8.23%, and 18.31% respectively indicating adequate amorphization. The dissolution performance of SDLS, SDMS, and SDFS after 3 months showed > 85% than SDs prepared by other methods. Thus, sericin significantly inhibited crystallization and was responsible for amorphous state stabilization of pharmaceuticals.
... [12][13][14] This causes environmental contamination due to its high oxygen demand for degradation. If waste sericin is recovered and recycled, it will not only reduce environmental pollution but can be used in different fields such as pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food industry, biomaterial manufacturing etc. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Due to high concentration of hydrophilic groups it shows excellent water retention property and these groups have strong polar side groups which imparts property of electrostatic bonding with drug molecules. 22 This character is used to prepare and stabilize nanocrystals of poorly soluble drugs which shows enhanced dissolution rates and bioavailability. ...
... Currently, sericin is being used in manufacture of foods, cosmetics, and biomaterials [6][7][8][9][10][11]. The serine rich residue of sericin is reported as a cryo-protectant for cells [12]. ...
The aim of present attempt deals with preparation of binary dispersion of sericin, waste of sericulture industry in order to enhance solubility and dissolution of poorly soluble drugs. Solid dispersions (SDs) of BCS-II drugs were prepared by spray drying, solvent evaporation, ball milling and physical mixing in ratio of drug:sericin (1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:2.5 and 1:3). Further, SDs were investigated by solubil-ity, ATR-FTIR, XRD, DSC, micromeritics and tablettability, surface morphology and in-vitro dissolution. Results demonstrated that, sericin improves solubility of drugs by 8-10 fold. The ATR-FTIR showed the slight shifting/broadening of principle peaks corresponding to NH and OH. Spray dried (1:2 w/w) SDs showed maximum reduction in crystallinity of drugs indicating drug was molecularly distributed and was in amorphous state. Spray dried SDs of meloxicam showed better compressibility and compactibil-ity. The microphotograph of spray dried SDs of lornoxicam and meloxicam showed bowl shaped and blend of bowl and spherical particles respectively, while spray dried SDs of felodepine showed spherical shape. The spray dried SDs (1:2 w/w) displayed better dissolution performance than other methods Conclusively, sericin offers a hydrophilic matrix to deliver poor water soluble drugs and its aerodynamic shape may show a great potential for various drug deliveries.
... Currently, sericin is being used in manufacture of foods, cosmetics, and biomaterials [6][7][8][9][10][11]. The serine rich residue of sericin is reported as a cryo-protectant for cells [12]. ...
The aim of present attempt deals with preparation of binary dispersion of sericin, waste of sericulture industry in order to enhance solubility and dissolution of poorly soluble drugs. Solid dispersions (SDs) of BCS-II drugs were prepared by spray drying, solvent evaporation, ball milling and physical mixing in ratio of drug:sericin (1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:2.5 and 1:3). Further, SDs were investigated by solubility, ATR-FTIR, XRD, DSC, micromeritics and tablettability, surface morphology and in-vitro dissolution. Results demonstrated that, sericin improves solubility of drugs by 8 to 10 fold. The ATR-FTIR showed the slight shifting/broadening of principle peaks corresponding to -NH and -OH. Spray dried (1:2w/w) SDs showed maximum reduction in crystallinity of drugs indicating drug was molecularly distributed and was in amorphous state. Spray dried SDs of meloxicam showed better compressibility and compactibility. The microphotograph of spray dried SDs of lornoxicam and meloxicam showed bowl shaped and blend of bowl and spherical particles respectively, while spray dried SDs of felodepine showed spherical shape. The spray dried SDs (1:2w/w) displayed better dissolution performance than other methods Conclusively, sericin offers a hydrophilic matrix to deliver poor water soluble drugs and its aerodynamic shape may show a great potential for various drug deliveries.
... In its composition, sericin integrates 18 different types of aminoacids most of which display strong polar (hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino) side groups [1,2,7], strongly influencing its purported physical and biological properties. Sericin has been found to exhibit several biological (beneficial) activities, such as antioxidant and antityrosinase properties [2,[8][9][10], promotion of collagen production (important in wound healing applications on both skin and corneal tissues) [2,[11][12][13][14], anti-inflammatory activity [2,15,16], antitumoural activity [2,16,17], anti-ageing and antiwrinkle [2,8,[18][19][20][21][22], antimicrobial [2,[23][24][25][26][27][28] and use in controlled drug-releasing biomaterials to promote stability and prolonged release [29,30]. Additionally, Kunz et al. [2] and Zhaorigetu et al. [17] reported that sericin exerts a surprising inhibitory activity upon UV radiation-induced acute damage and tumour promotion by reducing the oxidative stress in the skin of hairless mouse. ...
... A study found that sericin from all extracting methods promoted collagen production in L929 mouse fibroblast cell line in a dose-dependent manner (Aramwit et al. 2010a). Sericin could stimulate the synthesis of collagen type I, inhibit the effects of nitrite that cause oxidative stress, regulate B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2) expression, and inhibit apoptosis of cells without changing primary skin fibroblast growth dynamics or super structure (Kitisin et al. 2013). These results suggest that sericin has anti-aging properties and could be used in high-quality cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food additives. ...
Cell culture and cryopreservation are necessary for clinical therapy and cells storage. The addition of 10% (v/v) foetal bovine serum (FBS) to basal culture media has been common practice and is one of the most widely used methods. FBS media added with 10% DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) have also been used for cryopreservation cells. Ideally, FBS should be avoided because of high cost and bio-safety. Silk sericin has been used as a serum substitute and an additive due to its good hydrophilicity and biological safety. This article summarizes a few details about the processing of sericin and its application as a serum substitute or an additive for cell culture and cryopreservation media. Sericin can be a potential novel serum substitute or an additive for cell culture and cryopreservation media.
The availability of natural substances able to fulfill the role of antioxidants in a physiologic environment is important for the development of therapies against diseases associated with excessive production of reactive oxygen species and ensuing oxidative stress. Antioxidant properties have been reported episodically for sericin, a proteinaceous constituent of the silk thread in the cocoons generated by the larvae of the Lepidoptera order. We investigated the sericin fractions isolated from the cocoons spun by the domesticated (Bombyx mori) silkworm. Three fractions were isolated and evaluated, including two peptidoid fractions, the crude sericin and the purified (dialyzed) sericin, and the non-peptidoid methanolic extract of the crude fraction. When subjected to Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay, the extract showed much higher antioxidant capacity as compared to the crude or purified sericin fractions. The three fractions were also evaluated in cultures of murine retinal photoreceptor cells (661 W), a cell line that is highly susceptible to oxidants and is crucially involved in the retinopathies primarily caused by oxidative stress. The extract displayed a significant dose-dependent protective effect on the cultured cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide. In identical conditions, the crude sericin showed a certain level of antioxidative activity at a higher concentration, while the purified sericin did not show any activity. We concluded that the non-peptidoid components accompanying sericin were chiefly responsible for the previously reported antioxidant capacity associated with sericin fractions, a conclusion supported by the qualitative detection of flavonoids in the extract but not in the purified sericin fraction.
Sericulture is associated primarily with the production of cocoons for textile purposes. However, the widespread availability of synthetic fibers caused a decline in interest in natural fabrics, including silk. Changing trends on the textile market made it necessary to find the new possibilities of using mulberry silkworm cocoons. Due to the, fact that the silk fiber is made mainly of two proteins – sericin and fibroin they began to be used in the cosmetics industry. Smoothing, moisturizing, nourishing and anti-wrinkle properties have made cosmetics based on silk proteins very popular. Research conducted among consumers shows that when choosing cosmetics, they are more and more often guided not only by the price, but also by the composition and origin of the ingredients. The fully organic rearing of the mulberry silkworm provides raw materials with valuable properties. The possibilities of using cocoons in cosmetics constitute an alternative to the use of cocoons in the textile industry. We examined the prospect of revitalizing the Polish silk industry in the view of testing whether silkworm farming in Poland may become a common and profitable activity.
Silk sericin is a protein produced by Bombyx mori (silkworm), and the protein surrounds and keeps together two fibroin filaments in the silk thread used in the cocoon. Nevertheless, the functional properties of sericin expand its application in the medical field. Sericin has remarkable properties such as a potent antioxidant ability, meaning that it can be applied in cosmetic applications. Due to diverse biological activities, sericin is used as a desirable biomaterial for tissue engineering to improve tissue function via the development of biological substitutes. To improve the properties of skin tissue repair, films and scaffolds have drawn the attention of researchers following sericin addition. Sericin coatings have been commonly found in the textile industry, with several purposes such as easy ironing, and nonfading fabric dye.
Traditional textiles have been utilized for the purposes of covering, protection, support, and ornamentation. Recently, with the increasing tendency of people to care for their bodies in natural and healthy ways, it is not only textile products that have improved comfort properties such as temperature and humidity control, but also hygienic, odor-releasing, color and appearance changeable, advanced protective and functional clothing, home textiles or textile-based care products have stood out. Textile engineers, biochemists, pharmacists, cosmetics and health experts make important contributions to the field of cosmetics textiles with multidisciplinary studies. Various metallic, vegetable and animal originated ingredients are used in pure or derivative form to gain cosmetic functionality to textile products. Cosmetic textiles are designed to transfer an active agent serving for a cosmetic purpose during contact with human skin. The cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical components are transferred to the fabric forming the garment so that the component(s) can be transferred to the skin by the natural movement of the body over a long period of time. The aim of this study is to provide a general summary of the existing literature
on the functionalities, characterizations and performance tests of cosmetic textiles to the national literature.
Sericin is a unique proteinaceous biopolymer obtained from cocoons of Bombyx Mori. It has become very popular since it is bestowed with numerous health benefits. Sericin is composed of 18 types of amino acids, out of which 8 amino acids play a significant role in human metabolic pathways. Sericin is easily amenable to make into novel dosage forms and also has been conferred with numerous therapeutic activities such as wound healing, antihypertensive, neuro-protective, antitumor, anti-diabetic, anti-wrinkle, anti-ageing and antioxidant amongst various others. This review summarizes the current status of sericin, as a therapeutic moiety with a focus on active constituents as well as their proposed mechanism in the treatment of various chronic diseases. It also summarizes previous and current invitro, in-vivo, cell lines studies and clinical trials based pieces of evidence corroborating the therapeutic activities of sericin.
Silk sericin is a natural polymer produced by silkworm, Bombyx mori , which surrounds and keeps together two fibroin filaments in silk thread used in the cocoon. The recovery and reuse of sericin usually discarded by the textile industry not only minimizes environmental issues but also has a high scientific and commercial value. The physicochemical properties of the molecule are responsible for numerous applications in biomedicine and are influenced by the extraction method and silkworm lineage, which can lead to variations in molecular weight and amino acid concentration of sericin. The presence of highly hydrophobic amino acids and its antioxidant potential make it possible for sericin to be applied in the food and cosmetic industry. The moisturizing power allows indications as a therapeutic agent for wound healing, stimulating cell proliferation, protection against ultraviolet radiation, and formulating creams and shampoos. The antioxidant activity associated with low digestibility of sericin that expands the application in the medical field, such as antitumour, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent, anticoagulant, acts in colon health, improving constipation and protects the body from obesity through improved plasma lipid profile. In addition, the properties of sericin allow its application as a culture medium and cryopreservation, in tissue engineering and for drug delivery, demonstrating its effective use, as an important biomaterial.
Polymers can be classified based on their origin as natural or synthesis. Other texts have classified polymers according to functions, source, polymerization mechanism, polymer structure, preparation techniques, and thermal behavior. This chapter provides information on a system of classifying natural polymers with respect to their sources. It also discusses some of the most widely used natural polymers in industries. Proteins, polysaccharides, polynucleotides, polyisoprenes, and polyesters are discussed.
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