Biomedical Applications of Silk Fibroin : A Comprehensive Review
Keywords:
silk fibroin, regenerative dendistry, biomaterial, tissue engineeringAbstract
Organ and tissue failure due to injury or disease presents a significant challenge in modern healthcare. Traditional repair strategies including organ transplantation, synthetic implants, and hybrid approaches are often limited by issues such as immune rejection, infection risk, and mechanical failure. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), an emerging interdisciplinary field, aims to overcome these limitations by integrating cellular biology, materials science, and engineering to regenerate functional tissues. In dentistry, regenerative approaches are rapidly evolving, especially through the use of biomimetic scaffolds. Among various natural and synthetic scaffold materials, silk fibroin (SF), a protein derived from Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons has garnered increasing attention due to its excellent biocompatibility, tunable degradation rates, minimal immunogenicity, and robust mechanical properties. This narrative review explores the current state and future potential of SF-based biomaterials in biomedical and dental applications. SF is highly versatile, forming films, sponges, nanofibers, and 3D scaffolds, and can be combined with other polymers or bioactive molecules to enhance its functionality. It supports cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, making it suitable for hard and soft tissue regeneration. Despite its promise, clinical translation faces challenges such as ethical concerns, scalability, and complexity of fabrication processes. Recent advances in nanotechnology, such as 3D bioprinting and micropatterning, further highlight SF’s potential to create structurally defined, biomimetic constructs at the micro- and nanoscale. In conclusion, silk fibroin stands out as a cost-effective, sustainable, and FDA-approved biomaterial with transformative potential in regenerative medicine and dentistry. Continued research and technological refinement are essential to fully harness its capabilities and overcome current limitations.
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Copyright (c) 2025 J. Shanti Swarup*, Jessica Rucharitha, Rathika Thomas, K. Narayanasamy (Author)
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