Serrapeptase
Overview
Serrapeptase is a chemical taken from the silkworm. It is a commonly used drug (Takeda Chemical Industries) in Japan and Europe. In the U.S., serrapeptase is classified as a dietary supplement.
Serrapeptase is used for painful conditions including back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, carpel tunnel syndrome, migraine headache, and tension headache.
It is also used for conditions that involve pain and swelling (inflammation) including sinusitis, laryngitis, sore throat, ear infections, swelling after surgery, swelling of a vein with the formation of a blood clot (thrombophlebitis), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Some people use serrapeptase for heart disease and “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis).
Women use it for non-cancerous lumpy breasts (fibrocystic breast disease), and nursing mothers use it for breast pain caused by too much milk (breast engorgement).
Other uses include treatment of diabetes, leg ulcers, asthma, and pus accumulation (empyema).
Classification
Is a Form Of:
Chemical taken from silkworm
Primary Functions:
Back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
Also Known As:
Butterfly Enzyme, Enzyme de Ver de Soie, Extrait de Ver de Soie, SER, Serratia peptidase
How Does It Work?
Serrapeptase helps the body break down protein. This might help decrease inflammation and mucous.
Uses
- Facial swelling after surgery to clear the sinuses.
- Chronic bronchitis. Developing research suggests that serrapeptase can significantly reduce coughing and thin secretions in people with chronic bronchitis after about 4 weeks of treatment.
- Sinus pain (sinusitis). Early research suggests that people with sinusitis who take serrapeptase have significantly reduced pain, nasal secretions, and nasal obstruction after 3-4 days of treatment.
- Hoarseness (laryngitis). Early research suggests that serrapeptase can significantly reduce pain, secretions, difficulty swallowing, and fever in people with laryngitis after 3-4 days of treatment.
- Sore throat (pharyngitis). Early research suggests that serrapeptase can significantly reduce pain, secretions, difficulty swallowing, and fever in people with sore throat after 3-4 days of treatment.
- Back pain.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoporosis.
- Carpel tunnel syndrome.
- Diabetes.
- Leg ulcers.
- Migraine headache.
- Tension headache.
- Asthma.
- Pus accumulation (empyema).
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Fibrocystic breast disease.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
- Breast engorgement.
- Heart disease.
- Ear infections.
Recommended Dosing
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
- For reducing swelling of the inside of the cheek after sinus surgery: 10 mg of serrapeptase 3 times on the day before surgery, once in the evening after surgery, and then 3 times daily for 5 days following surgery.
Serrapeptase Supplements Frequently Asked Questions
What is Serrapeptase used for?
Serrapeptase is an enzyme isolated from bacteria found in silkworms. It has been used for years in Japan and Europe for reducing inflammation and pain due to surgery, trauma, and other inflammatory conditions. Today, serrapeptase is widely available as a dietary supplement and has many purported health benefits.
How long should you take Serrapeptase for?
The usual adult dosage of serrapeptase is 10 mg 3 times daily (range, 15 to 60 mg/day) 2 hours after meals. Serrapeptase has been taken for 1 to 2 weeks as an anti-inflammatory agent and up to 4 weeks as a mucolytic agent.
Does Serrapeptase kill viruses?
Proteolytic enzymes like Serrapeptase can stimulate the body to produce something called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF has been shown to kill cancer cells and stop viruses from reproducing. Serrapeptase has been shown gradually dissolve the plaque that is associated with cardiovascular disease.
When should you not take Serrapeptase?
Serrapeptase is a dead protein dissolving enzyme so it is important not to take it around food or pills because it wastes the serra and causes the pills to dissolve faster. For those reasons I take it twice a day about 3.5 hours after breakfast and 10:30 PM.
Does Serrapeptase have side effects?
Serrapeptase was well tolerated in short-term clinical trials, but long-term safety has not been evaluated. Rare, serious adverse effects reported with serrapeptase include eosinophilic pneumonitis, bullous pemphigoid, hemorrhage in a patient with Behcet disease, and possibly Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Are there any side effects to Serrapeptase?
While serrapeptase has been used for up to four weeks in clinical research, little is known about its long-term safety. Common side effects tend to be mild but may include: Nausea. Stomach ache.
What can you not take with Serrapeptase?
Serrapeptase should not be taken along with blood thinners — such as Warfarin and aspirin — other dietary supplements like garlic, fish oil, and turmeric, which may increase your risk of bleeding or bruising. Summary Several side effects have been observed in people taking serrapeptase.
Is Serrapeptase good for the liver?
It attacks and dissolves the cause of liver cirrhosis. The strongest fibrinolytic enzyme known is serrapeptase, which is what silkworms secrete to dissolve the silk that they produce. Serrapeptase according to the Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes is 5 to 8 times stronger a fibrin eating enzyme than chymotrypsin.
How much Serrapeptase is safe?
Serrapeptase is measured in SU so be sure you get a pure form. I started at 120,000 SU split into 2 doses and now take 450,000 SU in 2 doses. It is considered safe up to 1,000,000 SU daily with no suggested rest from taking it like some other supplements recommend.
Does Serrapeptase really work?
Serrapeptase has been shown to reduce pain — a common symptom of inflammation — by inhibiting pain-inducing compounds. In another study, it was also found to reduce swelling and pain in people following dental surgery — but was less effective than a corticosteroid ( 7 ).
Can Serrapeptase cause lung problems?
Serrapeptase may also cause granulomatous hepatitis (only 1 case reported so far), acute eosinophilic pneumonia (Dohmen et al., 1998;Sasaki et al., 2000). There may also be certain gastric related issues like nausea, anorexia, stomach upset, cough, pneumonitis (Sasaki et al., 2000).
Can Serrapeptase shrink fibroids?
Serrapeptase: This is an enzyme that eats cysts for food. I think it is amazing for inflammatory conditions, and it should shrink your fibroids with continued use. Sold widely online and in health food stores. ... A colored discharge may also occur for a few months as the fibroids slowly dissolve and exit the body.
How long does it take to see results from Serrapeptase?
It will take about 3 weeks to get rid of the discomfort and a further 3-6 weeks to ensure they are completely clear.
Can you take Serrapeptase long term?
While serrapeptase has been used for up to four weeks in clinical research, little is known about its long-term safety. Common side effects tend to be mild but may include: Nausea. Stomach ache.
Does Serrapeptase remove scar tissue?
Research shows serrapeptase possesses significant anti-inflammatory, proteolytic (protein dissolving) and fibrinolytic (fibrin dissolving) properties. It reduces scar tissue, improves tissue healing and supports a healthy respiratory system.
Does Serrapeptase lower blood pressure?
Serrapeptase is a blood cleaner so it may help reduce BP slightly but it is not a blood thinner.
Does Serrapeptase help with cysts?
Even nicer, serrapeptase has been found to be effective at dissolving only non-living fibrin (scar tissue)! It even crosses the blood brain barrier! Studies have confirmed that this enzyme also dissolves fibrin and fibrin coatings in cysts! Clinical reports from doctors show it dissolves branched fibrin.
Does Serrapeptase help with digestion?
Serrapeptase has been widely used in Europe and Asia for nearly 30 years. It's recognized for its ability to digest only certain proteins, providing our body with many important health benefits. Serrapeptase supports immune, cardiovascular, and digestive system health and promotes joint health.
Can Serrapeptase cause stomach pain?
Serrapeptase – also known as Serratio Peptidase – is a proteolytic enzyme. In other words, it digests protein. Including those in the food that you eat! That means that, as a side effect, there's a small chance of stomach upset or nausea if they're taken with meals.
Is Serrapeptase a Nsaid?
The most common drugs to combat acute inflammation are Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone and or in combination with other drugs. Serratiopeptidase is a leading enzyme which has a very long history in medical as an effective anti-inflammatory drug.
Does Serrapeptase cross the blood brain barrier?
No matter the cause or the location (it even crosses the blood brain barrier), Serrapeptase gets to work stopping the inflammation. If that is not enough, it has the ability to dissolve any dead or non-living tissue that may be gumming up the works, particularly mucus and inflammation associated with pain.”
Does Serrapeptase unblock fallopian tubes?
“Serrapeptase helps the body break down protein. If a woman has blocked fallopian tubes, serrapeptase will fix them. If you have clogged coronary arteries, serrapeptase will unclog them. This is just fantastic.
Clinical Studies
- ^ a b c Al-Khateeb TH, Nusair Y. Effect of the proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase on swelling, pain and trismus after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. (2008)
- ^ a b c d e f Bhagat S, Agarwal M, Roy V. Serratiopeptidase: a systematic review of the existing evidence. Int J Surg. (2013)
- ^ Badhe RV, et al. Media optimization studies for Serratiopeptidase production from Serratia marcescens ATCC 13880. Hindustan Antibiot Bull. (2009)
- ^ Purification and characterization of four proteases from a clinical isolate of Serratia marcescens kums 3958.
- ^ Pansuriya R, Singhal R. Effects of dissolved oxygen and agitation on production of serratiopeptidase by Serratia marcescens NRRL B-23112 in stirred tank bioreactor and its kinetic modeling. J Microbiol Biotechnol. (2011)
- ^ CASTANEDA-AGULLO M. Studies on the biosynthesis of extracellular proteases by bacteria. I. Serratia marcescens, synthetic and gelatin media. J Gen Physiol. (1956)
- ^ Bromke BJ, Hammel JM. Regulation of extracellular protease formation by Serratia marcescens. Can J Microbiol. (1979)
- ^ a b c d e Matsumoto K, et al. Purification and characterization of four proteases from a clinical isolate of Serratia marcescens kums 3958. J Bacteriol. (1984)
- ^ a b c d e Selan L, et al. Proteolytic enzymes: a new treatment strategy for prosthetic infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. (1993)
- ^ a b c Cloning and sequencing of Serratia protease gene.
- ^ Easily absorbable enzyme preparation.
- ^ Umashankar MS, Sachdeva RK, Gulati M. Aquasomes: a promising carrier for peptides and protein delivery. Nanomedicine. (2010)
- ^ Rawat M, et al. Development and in vitro evaluation of alginate gel-encapsulated, chitosan-coated ceramic nanocores for oral delivery of enzyme. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. (2008)
- ^ a b c d Moriya N, et al. Intestinal absorption of serrapeptase (TSP) in rats. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. (1994)
- ^ Woodley JF. Enzymatic barriers for GI peptide and protein delivery. Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst. (1994)
- ^ a b c KV S, Devi GS, Mathew ST. Liposomal formulations of serratiopeptidase: in vitro studies using PAMPA and Caco-2 models. Mol Pharm. (2008)
- ^ Camenisch G, Folkers G, van de Waterbeemd H. Shapes of membrane permeability-lipophilicity curves: extension of theoretical models with an aqueous pore pathway. Eur J Pharm Sci. (1998)
- ^ Obata K, et al. Prediction of oral drug absorption in humans by theoretical passive absorption model. Int J Pharm. (2005)
- ^ a b Nirale NM, Menon MD. Topical formulations of serratiopeptidase: development and pharmacodynamic evaluation. Indian J Pharm Sci. (2010)
- ^ Shah MH, Paradkar A. Cubic liquid crystalline glyceryl monooleate matrices for oral delivery of enzyme. Int J Pharm. (2005)
- ^ Kakinuma A, et al. Repression of fibrinolysis in scalded rats by administration of Serratia protease. Biochem Pharmacol. (1982)
- ^ a b c Kee WH, et al. The treatment of breast engorgement with Serrapeptase (Danzen): a randomised double-blind controlled trial. Singapore Med J. (1989)
- ^ Malshe PC. A preliminary trial of serratiopeptidase in patients with carpal tunnel Syndrome. J Assoc Physicians India. (2000)
- ^ a b Jadav SP, et al. Comparison of anti-inflammatory activity of serratiopeptidase and diclofenac in albino rats. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. (2010)
- ^ a b c Tachibana M, et al. A multi-centre, double-blind study of serrapeptase versus placebo in post-antrotomy buccal swelling. Pharmatherapeutica. (1984)
- ^ Chopra D, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing the efficacy and safety of paracetamol, serratiopeptidase, ibuprofen and betamethasone using the dental impaction pain model. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. (2009)
- ^ Murugesan K, Sreekumar K, Sabapathy B. Comparison of the roles of serratiopeptidase and dexamethasone in the control of inflammation and trismus following impacted third molar surgery. Indian J Dent Res. (2012)
- ^ a b Panagariya A, Sharma AK. A preliminary trial of serratiopeptidase in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. J Assoc Physicians India. (1999)
- ^ Esch PM, Gerngross H, Fabian A. Reduction of postoperative swelling. Objective measurement of swelling of the upper ankle joint in treatment with serrapeptase-- a prospective study. Fortschr Med. (1989)
- ^ Bracale G, Selvetella L. Clinical study of the efficacy of and tolerance to seaprose S in inflammatory venous disease. Controlled study versus serratio-peptidase. Minerva Cardioangiol. (1996)
- ^ Relevant Role of Fibronectin-Binding Proteins in Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm-Associated Foreign-Body Infections.
- ^ Christner M, et al. The giant extracellular matrix-binding protein of Staphylococcus epidermidis mediates biofilm accumulation and attachment to fibronectin. Mol Microbiol. (2010)
- ^ Kaplan JB. Biofilm dispersal: mechanisms, clinical implications, and potential therapeutic uses. J Dent Res. (2010)
- ^ Artini M, et al. Comparison of the action of different proteases on virulence properties related to the staphylococcal surface. J Appl Microbiol. (2013)
- ^ Artini M, et al. A new anti-infective strategy to reduce adhesion-mediated virulence in Staphylococcus aureus affecting surface proteins. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. (2011)
- ^ Longhi C, et al. Protease treatment affects both invasion ability and biofilm formation in Listeria monocytogenes. Microb Pathog. (2008)
- ^ a b Influence of interfaces on microbial activity.
- ^ a b Costerton JW, et al. Bacterial biofilms in nature and disease. Annu Rev Microbiol. (1987)
- ^ Lee HS, et al. A technique for quantitative cytology of nasal secretions. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. (1991)
- ^ a b c Nakamura S, et al. Effect of the proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase in patients with chronic airway disease. Respirology. (2003)
- ^ Majima Y, et al. Effects of orally administered drugs on dynamic viscoelasticity of human nasal mucus. Am Rev Respir Dis. (1990)
- ^ Majima Y, et al. The effect of an orally administered proteolytic enzyme on the elasticity and viscosity of nasal mucus. Arch Otorhinolaryngol. (1988)
- ^ Shimura S, et al. Effect of expectorants on relaxation behavior of sputum viscoelasticity in vivo. Biorheology. (1983)
- ^ a b Mecikoglu M, et al. The effect of proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase in the treatment of experimental implant-related infection. J Bone Joint Surg Am. (2006)
- ^ Ishihara Y, Kitamura S, Takaku F. Experimental studies on distribution of cefotiam, a new beta-lactam antibiotic, in the lung and trachea of rabbits. II. Combined effects with serratiopeptidase. Jpn J Antibiot. (1983)
- ^ Aratani H, Tateishi H, Negita S. Studies on the distributions of antibiotics in the oral tissues: Experimental staphylococcal infection in rats, and effect of serratiopeptidase on the distributions of antibiotics (author's transl). Jpn J Antibiot. (1980)
- ^ a b Viswanatha Swamy AH, Patil PA. Effect of some clinically used proteolytic enzymes on inflammation in rats. Indian J Pharm Sci. (2008)
- ^ Shimizu H, et al. A case of serratiopeptidase-induced subepidermal bullous dermatosis. Br J Dermatol. (1999)
- Mazzone A, et al. Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo. J Int Med Res. (1990)