Preparation and Drug Release Behavior of Tussah Silk Fibroin Composite Membrane

Silk fibroin (SF) aqueous solution was obtained by the degumming and dissolution of tussah silk, and then the obtained solution was chemically cross-linked with sodium alginate (SA) to form composite membrane, which could be used as a carrier for sustained drug release. The mechanical properties and dissolution rate of such composite membrane together with the drug release behavior under different conditions were investigated. A series of structure-tunable composite membranes were prepared through altering the ingredients proportion, the pH value during fabrication, the concentration of Ca2+, and cross-linking time. The drug release behavior of the corresponding drug-loaded composite membrane was elaborate studied using artemisinin as the model drug. It was found that the drug release rate exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing the SF content, the Ca2+ concentration and the cross-linking time of the corresponding composite membrane. Moreover, the drug release behavior exhibited pH sensitivity, and the drug release rate could be promoted under weak alkaline conditions.