A marvelous enzyme is taking the world by storm. Serrapeptase (or Serratiopeptidase) is currently being studied for its diversity in clinical applications. You could probably say that Serrapeptase is the enzyme the world has been waiting for.
What is Serrapeptase?
Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme that is derived and purified from a bacterial source. It is grown from Serratia marcescens cultures and plays a role in the digestion of proteins in the body. It is interesting to know that Serratiopeptidase was first found in silkworm intestines. When the silkworm moth emerges from its cocoon it dissolves the cocoon using this enzyme.
Serrapeptase is currently gaining much recognition as a potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic (anti-pain) substance. This wonderful enzyme has a variety of imaginable benefits for the human body and many of its hidden secrets have yet to be revealed. [1][2][3]
Serrapeptase and health
The thing that separates Serrapeptase from any old enzyme is that it has the ability to bind to certain proteins in the blood. This helps to shield it from the immune system while it retains its function as an enzyme. Through this method of transportation, it can be successfully carried to sites in the body where it is needed to perform its function.
Studies have shown that the health benefits of Serrapeptase stem from its possible anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, fibrinolytic and anti-edemic properties.
Serratiopeptidase may reduce pain and swelling, help with the clearance of sputum and it may also improve the microcirculation of blood in the body and these are all connected to inflammation. Some other possible health benefits include the role it may play in the immune system and its likely function as a protector of the nervous system. [2][3][4][5][6]
Serrapeptase and inflammation
Inflammatory diseases are of great concern in the medical world today. Studies have shown that Serrapeptase may be as effective against chronic and acute inflammation as popular drugs that are used for these purposes. Many products are available these days to treat such disorders, but they are usually not kind to the body. Such products may lead to water and salt retention and gastric intolerance. Studies are now showing that Serrapeptase is probably as potent as many of these available products while most likely being gentle on the body. [4][7][8]
Serratiopeptidase may also be effective in the management of chronic inflammatory diseases like sinusitis, bronchitis, arthritis, atherosclerosis and fibrocystic breast disease. [5][6]
It is suggested that Serrapeptase is supportive in the management of breast pain and breast swelling associated with fibrocystic breast disease. In fact it has the potential to limit most types of swelling and pain and has even gained recognition for its possible capacity of reducing post-operative swelling. [6][7][8]
Serrapeptase and the immune system
Serrapeptase is an immunologically active enzyme that is practically completely shielded from the immune system of the body to assure that it reaches its destinations unchanged.
Chronic airway diseases
Serrapeptase is popular for its effect on the clearance of mucus that builds up during airway infections or diseases. It is thought to reduce the neutrophil (white blood cell) count and it possibly changes the consistency of sputum in people who suffer from such conditions. [9]
Viral diseases
It has even been suggested that oral Serrapeptase could be beneficial in the treatment of viral diseases like AIDS and both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. [3][10]
Serrapeptase and the nervous system
Serrapeptase may have the potential of protecting the nervous system because of its anti-inflammatory actions and its potential ability to prevent the destruction of nerve cells.
Evidence suggests that Serrapeptase may have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore it could very well be considered as an additional measure in the prevention and management of this disease of the nervous system. [3]
A glimpse into the future
Serrapeptase is an enzyme that has extraordinary potentials and its properties may prove to be of great importance for the future of disease management and the maintenance of overall health. It may even change the way in which we think about disease prevention and the enhancement of health.
- Manasi Wagdarikar J, Anagha Joshi M, Nilesh Ghorpade A. IJPSR. May 2015; vol. 6(5): 2013-2018
- Mohankumar A, Hari Krishna Raj R. Production and characterization of Serratiopeptidase enzyme from Serratia Marcescens. International Journal of Biology. July 2011; vol. 3(3): 39-51.
- Ahmed HH, Fadl NN, El-Shamy KA, Hamza AH. Miracle enzymes Serrapeptase and Nattokinase mitigate neuroinflammation and apoptosis associated with Alzheimer’s disease in experimental model. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2014; vol 3(2): 876-891.
- Jadav SP, Patel NH, Shah TG, Gajera MV, Trivedi HR, Shah BK. Comparison of anti-inflammatory activity of serratiopeptidase and diclofenac in albino rats. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. July-December 2010; vol. 1(2): 116–117.
- Klein G, Kullich W. Short treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the knee with oral enzymes, a randomized double-blind study versus diclofenac. Clin Drug Invest. 2000; vol. 19:15-23.
- Mazzone A , Catalani M, Costanzo M, Drusian A, Mandoli A, Russo S et al. Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo. J Int Med Res. September-October 1990; vol. 18(5): 379-388
- Kee WH, et al. The treatment of breast engorgement with Serrapeptase (Danzen): a randomised double-blind controlled trial. Singapore Med J. February 1989; vol. 30(1): 48-54.
- Tachibana M, et al. A multi-centre, double-blind study of serrapeptase versus placebo in post-antrotomy buccal swelling. Pharmatherapeutica. 1984; vol. 3(8): 526-530.
- Nakamura S, Hashimoto Y, Mikami M, Yamanaka E, Soma T, Hino M et al. Effect of the proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase in patients with chronic airway disease. September 2003; vol. 8(3): 316–320.
- Ruchir CP, Singhal RS. 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; vol. 21(4): 430-437.