Summary
Serrapeptase is a proteolytic (protein destroying) enzyme from bacteria native to the digestive system of silkworms. It is the enzyme responsible for dissolving a silkworm’s cocoon.
Traditionally, serrapeptase has been used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Today, it is marketed as a joint health supplement.
Unfortunately, many studies on serrapeptase were poorly structured, with inadequate control groups. The most recent data suggests that serrapeptase is not a very effective supplement, as far as joint health and inflammation is concerned.
Though serrapeptase has been detected in plasma after supplementation, the standard oral dose for serrapeptase is low, which means very little is absorbed through the intestines. This may be one of the reasons serrapeptase is unreliable and not very effective.
Serrapeptase has been found to have the ability to liquefy mucus and reduce bacterial biofilms (reducing bacteria’s ability to stick to surfaces and each other). This means serrapeptase may be able to reduce phlegm buildup, nasal discharge, lung symptoms of cystic fibrosis and help other compounds fight bacteria. Additional research is needed to confirm these effects.
What are other names for Serrapeptase
- Serratiopeptidase
- Serratia E-15
- serralysin
- serratiaprotease
- Silk worm enzymes
Dosage information
The standard dose for serrapeptase is 10-60mg.
Serrapeptase should be supplemented on an empty stomach, which is 30 minutes before a meal or two hours after a meal, three times a day. Most studies use 10mg of serrapeptase taken every eight hours.
More human evidence is needed to determine the optimal dose of serrapeptase. 10mg of serrapeptase is equal to approximately 20,000 enzymatic units.
Examine Database: Serrapeptase
Research Breakdown
Examine Database References
- Pain - Kee WH, Tan SL, Lee V, Salmon YMThe treatment of breast engorgement with Serrapeptase (Danzen): a randomised double-blind controlled trialSingapore Med J.(1989 Feb)
- Inflammation - Chopra D, Rehan HS, Mehra P, Kakkar AKA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing the efficacy and safety of paracetamol, serratiopeptidase, ibuprofen and betamethasone using the dental impaction pain modelInt J Oral Maxillofac Surg.(2009 Apr)
- Inflammation - Tachibana M, Mizukoshi O, Harada Y, Kawamoto K, Nakai YA multi-centre, double-blind study of serrapeptase versus placebo in post-antrotomy buccal swellingPharmatherapeutica.(1984)
- Inflammation - P M Esch, H Gerngross, A Fabian[Reduction of postoperative swelling. Objective measurement of swelling of the upper ankle joint in treatment with serrapeptase-- a prospective study]Fortschr Med.(1989 Feb 10)
- Inflammation - Murugesan K, Sreekumar K, Sabapathy BComparison of the roles of serratiopeptidase and dexamethasone in the control of inflammation and trismus following impacted third molar surgeryIndian J Dent Res.(2012 Nov-Dec)
- Mucus Production - Mazzone A, Catalani M, Costanzo M, Drusian A, Mandoli A, Russo S, Guarini E, Vesperini GEvaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placeboJ Int Med Res.(1990 Sep-Oct)
- Superficial Thrombophlebitis Symptoms - G Bracale, L Selvetella[Clinical study of the efficacy of and tolerance to seaprose S in inflammatory venous disease. Controlled study versus serratio-peptidase]Minerva Cardioangiol.(1996 Oct)
- Mucus Production - Seiichi Nakamura, Yasushi Hashimoto, Masashi Mikami, Eiichi Yamanaka, Tomoyuki Soma, Mitsunori Hino, Arata Azuma, Shoji KudohEffect of the proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase in patients with chronic airway diseaseRespirology.(2003 Sep)
- Carpal Tunnel Symptoms - A Panagariya, A K SharmaA preliminary trial of serratiopeptidase in patients with carpal tunnel syndromeJ Assoc Physicians India.(1999 Dec)
- Mucus Production - Shimura S, Okubo T, Maeda S, Aoki T, Tomioka M, Shindo Y, Takishima T, Umeya KEffect of expectorants on relaxation behavior of sputum viscoelasticity in vivoBiorheology.(1983)
- Mucus Production - Y Majima, M Inagaki, K Hirata, K Takeuchi, A Morishita, Y SakakuraThe effect of an orally administered proteolytic enzyme on the elasticity and viscosity of nasal mucusArch Otorhinolaryngol.(1988)