Review on Medicinal and therapeutic potential of silkworm products (Bombyx mori) in the treatment of human diseases

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 BSc student, Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

10.22038/nnj.2025.79611.1448

Abstract

Background and Aims: Silkworms are very important insects in the fields of biomedical sciences and the pharmaceutical industry. The purpose of this study is to familiarize with silkworm products and applications in various medical and pharmaceutical fields.
Materials and Methods: This study is a review article that was conducted by searching for related articles and sources since 2005 to 2024 and using specialized keywords in reliable domestic and foreign databases such as Magiran, SID, Google Scholar, Scopus, ISI, and ISC.
Results: Silkworm and silk produced by it due to having compounds such as sericin, fibroin, antimicrobial peptides, anti-apoptotic activity, antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties, and chitosan in various fields of medicine and medicine such as the treatment of various cancers and prevention from tumor formation, treatment of cardiovascular diseases, treatment of infection and inflammation, as a wound dressing, in ontogenesis and bone regeneration, drug delivery, tissue engineering, in the treatment of diseases related to the digestive system and liver, to reduce and regulate blood sugar and fat. It is used to strengthen the immune system, reduce depression and prevent Alzheimer's disease. Also, silkworms can be used as animal models in the future.
Conclusion: The Importance of silkworm in industrial, medical and pharmaceutical fields and its economic potential can lead to revival of sericulture industry and the creation of job opportunities along with the increase in income and the prosperity and expansion of business, for people in rural areas, farmers, and other activists in various fields of medicine, pharmaceutical, health and other related fields.

Keywords

References

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Navid No
Volume 28, Issue 93
June 2025
Pages 46-56

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