About serrapeptase

Background.
Our knowledge of Serrapeptase started with the silkworm. This amazing creature protects itself in a chrysalis whilst developing. When the time comes for it to move on, it has to get out of the chrysalis. It does this by secreting a fluid, which dissolves the chrysalis. Having discovered this, scientists looked at the enzyme and how it could help human beings. The enzyme was serratia peptidase, a proteolytic enzyme isolated from the micro-organism, Serratia E15, now manufactured (without the silk worm) commercially today through fermentation, as Serrapeptase. It has been in use for some 25 years though Europe and Asia as a viable alternative to salicylates, ibuprofen and the more potent Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS). Unlike these drugs, Serrapeptase is a physiological agent with no inhibitory effects on prostaglandins and is devoid of gastrointestinal side effects. It is standard treatment in Germany and other European countries for the treatment of inflammatory and traumatic swellings.

Serrapeptase is an immunologically active enzyme that is completely bound to the alpha 2 macroglobulin in biological fluids. Histologic studies reveal powerful anti-inflammatory effects of this naturally occurring enzyme.

Serrapeptase digests non-living tissue, blood clots, cysts, and arterial plaque and inflammation in all forms. The late German physician Dr. Hans Nieper used Serrapeptase to treat arterial blockage in his coronary patients. Serrapeptase protects against stroke and is more effective and quicker than EDTA chelation treatments in removing arterial plaque. He also reports that Serrapeptase dissolves blood clots and causes varicose veins to shrink or diminish. Dr. Nieper told of a woman scheduled for hand amputation and a man scheduled for bypass surgery who both recovered quickly without surgery after treatment with Serrapeptase.

Studies with Serrapeptase in the treatment of coronary artery disease are relatively new. Hans A. Nieper, M.D., an internist from Hannover, Germany, studied the effects of Serrapeptase on plaque accumulations in the arteries. The formation of plaque involves deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood) on the inner lining of the arteries. Excessive plaque results in partial or complete blockage of the blood's flow through an artery, resulting in arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and an ensuing stroke or heart attack. The evidence to support Serrapeptase's role in preventing plaque build-up is anecdotal. Still, further studies are called for in this area as Nieper's research indicated that the protein-dissolving action of Serrapeptase will gradually break down atherosclerotic plaques.

However, a wealth of information exists regarding its anti-inflammatory properties. Serrapeptase has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of chronic sinusitis, to improve the elimination of bronchopulmonary secretions, traumatic injury (e.g. sprains and torn ligaments), post-operative inflammation and to facilitate the therapeutic effect of antibiotics in the treatment of infections. In the urological field, Serrapeptase has been used successfully for cystitis and epididymitis.

Post-surgical treatment.
In one double-blind study of Serrapeptase conducted by Esch et al at the German State Hospital in Ulm, 66 patients with fresh rupture of the lateral ligament treated surgically were divided in three randomised groups. In the group receiving the test substance, the swelling had decreased by 50% on the third post-operative day, while in the other two control groups (elevation of the leg, bed rest, with or without the application of ice), no reduction in swelling had occurred at that time. The difference was of major statistical significance. Decreasing pain correlated for the most part with the reduction in swelling. The patients receiving Serrapeptase became pain-free more rapidly than the control groups. By the 10th day, all patients were free of pain in the Serrapeptase-treated group. The therapeutic daily dose was 1-2 tablets (5 mg) 3 times daily.

Cystic Breast Disease.
In another double-blind study, Serrapeptase, was evaluated in a group of 70 patients with evidence of cystic breast disease. These patients were randomly divided into a treatment group and a placebo group. Serrapeptase was noted to be superior to placebo for improvement of breast pain, breast swelling and induration with 85.7% of the patients who received Serrapeptase reporting moderate to marked improvement. No adverse reactions were reported with the use of Serrapeptase. The use of enzymes with fibrinolytic, proteolytic and anti-edemic activities for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the ear, nose and throat has gained increasing support in recent years.

Ear Nose and Throat Disorders.
In a third double-blind study, 193 subjects suffering from acute or chronic ear, nose or throat disorders were evaluated. Treatment with Serrapeptase lasted 7-8 days, two 5 mg tabs, t.i.d. After 3-4 days treatment, significant symptom regression was observed in the Serrapeptase-treated group, while this was not noted in the control group. Patients suffering from laryngitis, catarrhal rhinopharyngitis and sinusitis noted markedly rapid improvement. The physicians' assessments of efficacy of treatment were excellent or good for 97.3% of patients treated with Serrapeptase compared with only 21.9% of those treated with placebo. In a similar study of chronic bronchitis, conducted by a team of otolaryngolosists, the Serrapeptase-treated group showed excellent results compared with the placebo group in the improvement of loosening sputum, frequency of cough and expectoration. Other improvements included the posterior nasal hydrorhea and rhinostenosis. The administration of Serrapeptase reduces the viscosity of the nasal mucus to a level at which maximal transport can be achieved.

Improved efficacy of antibiotics.
It has also been demonstrated that the simultaneous use of the peptidase and an antibiotic results in increased concentrations of the antibiotic at the site of the infection. The mechanisms of action of Serrapeptase, at the sites of various inflammatory processes consists fundamentally of a reduction of the exudative phenomena and an inhibition of the release of the inflammatory mediators. This peptidase induces fragmentation of fibrinose aggregates and reduces the viscosity of exidates, thus facilitating drainage of these products of the inflammatory response and thereby promoting the tissue repair process. Studies suggest that Serrapeptase has a modulatory effect on specific acute phase proteins which are involved in the inflammatory process. This is substantiated by a report of significant reductions in C3 and C4 complement, increases in opsonizing protein and reductions in concentrations of haptoglobulin, which is a scavenger protein that inhibits lysosomal protease.

Absorption.
The intestinal absorption of Serrapeptase has been reported by several re-search groups. Serrapeptase is well absorbed orally when formulated with an enteric coating. It is known that proteases and peptidases are only absorbed in the intestinal area. These enzymes are mobilized directly to the blood and are not easily detectable in urine. Other enzymes with structural similarities have been reported to be absorbed through the intestinal tract. Chymotrypsin is transported into the blood from the intestinal lumen. Horseradish peroxidase can cross the mucosal barrier of the intestine in a biologically and immunologically active form. Several studies have appeared so far which refer to the systemic effects of orally given proteases and peptidases (e.g. Serrapeptase), such as repression of edema and repression of blood vessel permeability induced by histamine or bradykinin. These enzymes also effect the kallikrein-kinin system and the complement system, thus modifying the inflammatory response.

Summary.
In vitro and in viuo studies reveal that Serrapeptase has an aspecific, anti-inflammatory effect, superior to that of other proteolytic enzymes. A review of the scientific literature, including a series of controlled, clinical trials with large patient groups, suggests that Serrapeptase is useful for a broad range of inflammatory conditions. If one considers the fact that anti-inflammatory agents are among the most widely prescribed drugs, the use of a safe, proteolytic enzyme such as Serrapeptase would be a welcome addition to the physician's armamentarium of physiologic agents.

References :
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