Sericin, a Versatile Protein from Silkworm - Biomedical Applications

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, which feeds solely on the leaves of the mulberry plant, produces mulberry silk. The components of Bombyx mori silk are 60-80 percent fibroin, 15-35 percent sericin and 1-5 percent non-sericin, including wax, pigments, sugars and other impurities. Silk sericin is a natural polymer that encloses and holds together two filaments of fibroin in the silk thread used in the cocoon. In the research and production of medical biomaterials and biomedicines, protein-based silk fibroin has been widely used for two decades. Sericin is often neglected and abandoned in the manufacturing of traditional silk fabrics, silk floss or synthetic silk biomaterials as a by-product or waste. However, sericin is not only a highly useful biological substance, but also has a great deal of biological activity, similar to fibroin. General characteristics of both silk proteins, fibroin and sericin, extracted from Bombyx mori silkworm, and the biological activity and possible use of sericin were addressed in this review. Due to its amino acid make-up and antioxidant properties, sericin has been used in the food and cosmetic industry. The moisturizing power provides guidance for wound healing as a therapeutic agent, protection against ultraviolet radiation, and formulation of creams and shampoos. Antioxidant activity associated with low sericin digestibility, which increases application in the medical field, such as antitumor, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent, anticoagulant, works in the health of the colon, enhances constipation and, by improving plasma lipid profile, protects the body from obesity. In addition, the properties of sericin allow its application in tissue engineering and drug delivery as a culture medium and cryopreservation, demonstrating its efficient use as an essential biomaterial.

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Silkworm Sericin: Properties and Biomedical Applications

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2016/8175701 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 89

Author(s):

Regina Inês Kunz ◽

Rose Meire Costa Brancalhão ◽

Lucinéia de Fátima Chasko Ribeiro ◽

Maria Raquel Marçal Natali

Keyword(s):

Textile Industry ◽

Biomedical Applications ◽

Culture Medium ◽

Plasma Lipid ◽

The Body ◽

Silk Thread ◽

Cosmetic Industry ◽

Hydrophobic Amino Acids ◽

Highly Hydrophobic ◽

Effective Use

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.

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Flavones and Their Analogues as Bioactive Compounds – An Overview

Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1570193x15666180418154510 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 377-391 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B.S. Jayashree ◽

H. Venkatachalam ◽

Sanchari Basu Mallik

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Free Radical ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Free Radical Scavenging ◽

Polyphenolic Compounds ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Poor Solubility

Flavonoids constitute a large group of polyphenolic compounds that are known to have antioxidant properties, through their free radical scavenging abilities. They possess a chromone (γ- benzopyrone) moiety, responsible for eliciting many pharmacological activities. Even though, natural flavonoids are highly potent, owing to their poor solubility, they are less used. Therefore, attempts have been made to improve their stability, solubility, efficacy and kinetics by introducing various substituents on the flavone ring. For nearly the last two decades, flavones were synthesized in our laboratory by simple, convenient and cost-effective methods, with the knowledge of both synthetic and semi-synthetic chemistry. In this direction, it was considered worthwhile to present an overview on the synthesized flavonoids. This review creates a platform for highlighting various modifications done on the flavone system along with their biological activity.

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Comparison of Osmotic Resistance, Shape and Transmembrane Potential of Erythrocytes Collected from Healthy and Fed with High Fat-Carbohydrates Diet (HF-CD) Pigs—Protective Effect of Cistus incanus L. Extracts

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14041050 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 1050

Author(s):

Sylwia Cyboran-Mikołajczyk ◽

Robert Pasławski ◽

Urszula Pasławska ◽

Kacper Nowak ◽

Michał Płóciennik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Plasma Lipid ◽

Membrane Lipid ◽

Osmotic Resistance ◽

High Fat ◽

Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽

Cistus Incanus ◽

Osmotic Resistance Of Erythrocytes ◽

The Impact

Long-term high fat-carbohydrates diet (HF-CD) contributes to the formation of irreversible changes in the organism that lead to the emergence of civilization diseases. In this study, the impact of three-month high-fat diet on the physical properties of erythrocytes (RBCs) was studied. Furthermore, the biological activity of Cistus incanus L. extracts, plant known with high pro-health potential, in relation to normal and HF-CD RBCs, was determined. Obtained results have shown that, applied HF-CD modified shape, membrane potential and osmotic resistance of erythrocytes causing changes in membrane lipid composition and the distribution of lipids. The impact of HF-CD on physical properties of RBCs along with atherosclerotic lesions of the artery was visible, despite the lack of statistically significant changes in blood morphology and plasma lipid profile. This suggests that erythrocytes may be good markers of obesity-related diseases. The studies of biological activity of Cistus incanus L. extracts have demonstrated that they may ameliorate the effect of HF-CD on erythrocytes through the membrane-modifying and antioxidant activity.

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A Review on the Biological Activity of Camellia Species

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26082178 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

pp. 2178

Author(s):

Ana Margarida Teixeira ◽

Clara Sousa

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Green Tea ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Antitumoral Activity ◽

Camellia Oleifera ◽

Camellia Japonica ◽

Detailed Review ◽

Additional Information ◽

Camellia Species

Medicinal plants have been used since antiquity to cure illnesses and injuries. In the last few decades, natural compounds extracted from plants have garnered the attention of scientists and the Camellia species are no exception. Several species and cultivars are widespread in Asia, namely in China, Japan, Vietnam and India, being also identified in western countries like Portugal. Tea and oil are the most valuable and appreciated Camellia subproducts extracted from Camellia sinensis and Camellia oleifera, respectively. The economic impact of these species has boosted the search for additional information about the Camellia genus. Many studies can be found in the literature reporting the health benefits of several Camellia species, namely C. sinensis, C. oleifera and Camellia japonica. These species have been highlighted as possessing antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral) and antitumoral activity and as being a huge source of polyphenols such as the catechins. Particularly, epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and specially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenols of green tea. This paper presents a detailed review of Camellia species’ antioxidant properties and biological activity.

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Oxygen Permeability of Silk Fibroin Hydrogels and Their Use as Materials for Contact Lenses: A Purposeful Analysis

Gels ◽

10.3390/gels7020058 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 58

Author(s):

Traian V. Chirila

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Bombyx Mori ◽

Silk Fibroin ◽

Biomedical Applications ◽

Oxygen Permeability ◽

Contact Lenses ◽

The Past ◽

Fibrous Protein ◽

Silk Moth ◽

Bombyx Mori Silk

Fibroin is a fibrous protein that can be conveniently isolated from the silk cocoons produced by the larvae of Bombyx mori silk moth. In its form as a hydrogel, Bombyx mori silk fibroin (BMSF) has been employed in a variety of biomedical applications. When used as substrates for biomaterial-cells constructs in tissue engineering, the oxygen transport characteristics of the BMSF membranes have proved so far to be adequate. However, over the past three decades the BMSF hydrogels have been proposed episodically as materials for the manufacture of contact lenses, an application that depends on substantially elevated oxygen permeability. This review will show that the literature published on the oxygen permeability of BMSF is both limited and controversial. Additionally, there is no evidence that contact lenses made from BMSF have ever reached commercialization. The existing literature is discussed critically, leading to the conclusion that BMSF hydrogels are unsuitable as materials for contact lenses, while also attempting to explain the scarcity of data regarding the oxygen permeability of BMSF. To the author’s knowledge, this review covers all publications related to the topic.

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How to express the antioxidant properties of substances properly?

Chemical Papers ◽

10.1007/s11696-021-01799-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Małgorzata Olszowy-Tomczyk

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Literature Review ◽

Antioxidant Activities ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

The Body ◽

Universal Method ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Good Tool

AbstractOxidative stress, associated with an imbalance between the oxidants (reactive oxygen species) and the antioxidants in the body, contributes to the development of many diseases. The body’s fight against reactive oxygen species is supported by antioxidants. Nowadays, there are too many analytical methods, but there is no one universal technique for assessing antioxidant properties. Moreover, the applied different ways of expressing the results lead to their incompatibility and unreasonable interpretation. The paper is a literature review concerning the most frequent ways of antioxidant activities expression and for an easy and universal method of the obtained results discussion. This paper is an attempt to point out their disadvantages and advantages. The manuscript can support the searching interpretation of the obtained results which will be a good tool for the development of a number of fields, especially medicine what can help in the future detection and treatment of many serious diseases. Graphic abstract

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Beneficial Role of Carica papaya Extracts and Phytochemicals on Oxidative Stress and Related Diseases: A Mini Review

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10040287 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 287

Author(s):

Yew Rong Kong ◽

Yong Xin Jong ◽

Manisha Balakrishnan ◽

Zhui Ken Bok ◽

Janice Kwan Kah Weng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Carica Papaya ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Natural Antioxidants ◽

The Body ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Chemical Components ◽

Impaired Wound Healing

Oxidative stress is a result of disruption in the balance between antioxidants and pro-oxidants in which subsequently impacting on redox signaling, causing cell and tissue damages. It leads to a range of medical conditions including inflammation, skin aging, impaired wound healing, chronic diseases and cancers but these conditions can be managed properly with the aid of antioxidants. This review features various studies to provide an overview on how Carica papaya help counteract oxidative stress via various mechanisms of action closely related to its antioxidant properties and eventually improving the management of various oxidative stress-related health conditions. Carica papaya is a topical plant species discovered to contain high amounts of natural antioxidants that can usually be found in their leaves, fruits and seeds. It contains various chemical compounds demonstrate significant antioxidant properties including caffeic acid, myricetin, rutin, quercetin, α-tocopherol, papain, benzyl isothiocyanate (BiTC), and kaempferol. Therefore, it can counteract pro-oxidants via a number of signaling pathways that either promote the expression of antioxidant enzymes or reduce ROS production. These signaling pathways activate the antioxidant defense mechanisms that protect the body against both intrinsic and extrinsic oxidative stress. To conclude, Carica papaya can be incorporated into medications or supplements to help manage the health conditions driven by oxidative stress and further studies are needed to investigate the potential of its chemical components to manage various chronic diseases.

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Sustainable Sources from Aquatic Organisms for Cosmeceuticals Ingredients

Cosmetics ◽

10.3390/cosmetics8020048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 48

Author(s):

Carmen G. Sotelo ◽

María Blanco ◽

Patricia Ramos ◽

José A. Vázquez ◽

Ricardo I. Perez-Martin

Keyword(s):

Social Issues ◽

Good Condition ◽

Aquatic Organisms ◽

The Body ◽

Fishing Activity ◽

Marine Biomass ◽

Cosmetic Industry ◽

Wide Range ◽

Long Life ◽

By Products

Long life expectancy of populations in the developing world together with some cultural and social issues has driven the need to pay special attention to health and physical appearance. Cosmeceuticals are gaining interest in the cosmetic industry as their uses fulfills a double purpose: the requirements of a cosmetic (clean, perfume, protect, change the appearance of the external parts of the body or keeping them in good condition) with a particular bioactivity function. The cosmetics industry, producing both cosmetics and cosmeceuticals, is currently facing numerous challenges to satisfy different attitudes of consumers (vegetarianism, veganism, cultural or religious concerns, health or safety reasons, eco-friendly process, etc.). A currently growing trend in the market is the interest in products of low environmental impact. Marine origin ingredients are increasingly being incorporated into cosmeceutical preparations because they are able to address several consumer requirements and also due to the wide range of bioactivities they present (antioxidant, whitening, anti-aging, etc.). Many companies claim “Marine” as a distinctive marketing signal; however, only a few indicate whether they use sustainable ingredient sources. Sustainable marine ingredients might be obtained using wild marine biomass through a sustainable extractive fishing activity; by adopting valorization strategies including the use of fish discards and fish by-products; and by sustainably farming and culturing marine organisms.

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Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Properties of Bioactive Compounds from Sesamum indicum L.—A Review

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24244426 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (24) ◽

pp. 4426 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ming-Shun Wu ◽

Levent Bless B. Aquino ◽

Marjette Ylreb U. Barbaza ◽

Chieh-Lun Hsieh ◽

Kathlia A. De Castro-Cruz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Diseases ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Sesamum Indicum ◽

The Body ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Anticancer Properties ◽

Pharmacological Significance ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Natural Medicines

The use of foodstuff as natural medicines has already been established through studies demonstrating the pharmacological activities that they exhibit. Knowing the nutritional and pharmacological significance of foods enables the understanding of their role against several diseases. Among the foods that can potentially be considered as medicine, is sesame or Sesamum indicum L., which is part of the Pedaliaceae family and is composed of its lignans such as sesamin, sesamol, sesaminol and sesamolin. Its lignans have been widely studied and are known to possess antiaging, anticancer, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Modern chronic diseases, which can transform into clinical diseases, are potential targets of these lignans. The prime example of chronic diseases is rheumatic inflammatory diseases, which affect the support structures and the organs of the body and can also develop into malignancies. In line with this, studies emphasizing the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of sesame have been discussed in this review.

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