Role of Silk-Based Protein in Oral Drug Delivery

Silk proteins are exceptionally versatile biomaterials, widely recognized for their outstanding biodegradability and biocompatibility, which make them highly valuable across a range of industrial and biomedical applications. Silk is composed of two main proteins—sericin and silk fibroin—both of which have been identified as ideal candidates for the development of biomedical devices. Among these, silk fibroin stands out as a key component in oral drug delivery systems, providing a biocompatible and degradable platform for drug encapsulation and controlled release. Its unique structural and mechanical properties enable the formation of nanoparticles, hydrogels, and protective coatings that shield therapeutic agents from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and facilitate targeted release in the small intestine. Applications such as drug delivery systems, cancertargeted therapies, implants, and surgical sutures are few important applications delivering drugs directly to the targeted site. This chapter presents recent advancements and emerging strategies involving silk-based biomaterials in the field of drug delivery.