Srp7.0

Serrapeptase

enzyme

Serrapeptase (Serratiopeptidase)

Silkworm-derived enzyme that breaks down inflammatory proteins and thins mucus — used in Europe and Japan as an NSAID alternative.

immunityenzymeinflammationsinusitisrecovery

17+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

moderate

Safety

120,000-240,000 SPU (serrapeptase units)

Dose

2-4 weeks

Time to Effect

Enteric-coated capsules (protects from stomach acid)

Best Form

Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme originally isolated from the silkworm. It breaks down proteins involved in inflammation and scar tissue, and may help thin mucus. Popular in Europe and Japan for post-surgical recovery, sinusitis, and inflammatory conditions. Used as an alternative to NSAIDs for pain and swelling.

Mechanisms of Action

⚗️

Proteolytic Activity

Breaks down inflammatory proteins

💨

Mucolytic Effect

Thins and clears mucus

Biological PathwayBeta

How Serrapeptase works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Recommended Dose

120,000-240,000 SPU (serrapeptase units)

60000SPU480000SPU

Optimal Timing

On empty stomach
30 min before or 2 hours after meals

Can be taken without food

Available Forms

Form	Type
💊Enteric-coated capsules (protects from stomach acid)	Recommended
💊Delayed-release tablets	Alternative

Enteric coating is essential — stomach acid destroys unprotected serrapeptase.

Duration

Minimum: 2 weeks

Optimal: 4 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: MUST be taken on empty stomach for systemic effects. Food inactivates the enzyme.

✨

Reduced Swelling

Less edema and inflammation

⏱️ 1-2 weeks

55% of users notice thispositive

👃

Sinus Relief

Improved mucus drainage

⏱️ 1-2 weeks

50% of users notice thispositive

ModerateMax safe dose: Up to 480,000 SPU/day used in studies

🔴

Pregnant/nursing

Insufficient data; avoid

Who Should NOT Take This

Bleeding disorders
Before surgery (stop 2 weeks prior)

Drug Interactions

Blood thinnersmoderate

May increase bleeding risk

Antibioticsmild

May increase antibiotic tissue levels

Possible Side Effects

GI upset

milduncommon

Tip: Use enteric-coated; take on empty stomach

Skin reactions

mildrare

Tip: Discontinue if rash develops

Warnings

Stop 2 weeks before surgery
Empty stomach is essential
Must use enteric-coated form

⟡ Bromelain

complementary

Different proteolytic enzymes

Enhanced systemic enzyme therapy

⟡ NAC

complementary

Both thin mucus through different mechanisms

Comprehensive respiratory mucus support

Top studies from 17+ peer-reviewed papers

📚systematic-reviewn=2170

DOI

Zakarija-Grkovic I et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)

“Although some interventions may be promising for the treatment of breast engorgement, such as cabbage leaves, cold gel packs, herbal compresses, and massage, the certainty of evidence is low and we cannot draw robust conclusions about their true effects.”

Key Findings:

For breast hardness, cold cabbage leaves may be more effective than routine care (MD -0.58 VAS points, 95% CI -0.82 to -0.34; 152 women; low-certainty evidence).
For breast engorgement, room temperature cabbage leaves may be more effective than a hot water bag (MD -1.16 points on 1-6 scale, 95% CI -1.36 to -0.96; 63 women; very low-certainty evidence).
More women were satisfied with cold cabbage leaves than with routine care (risk ratio (RR) 1.42, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.64; 152 women; low certainty), or with cold gel packs (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.38; 152 women; low-certainty evidence).
Compress treatments compared to control For breast pain, herbal compress may be more effective than hot compress (MD -1.80 VAS points, 95% CI -2.07 to -1.53; 500 women; low-certainty evidence).

📚systematic-review

DOI

Patil SD et al. • Annales pharmaceutiques francaises (2024)

“Serratiopeptidase topical formulations could be more effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications in treating local inflammation.”

Key Findings:

Serratiopeptidase topical formulations could be more effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications in treating local inflammation.
This article reviews studies on various topical formulations.

📚systematic-review

DOI

Hosseini SB et al. • Archives of microbiology (2024)

“The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.”

Key Findings:

To overcome such limitations, improved versions of the enzyme were introduced using protein engineering in our previous studies.
Novel functional serratiopeptidases with shorter length and higher stability have seemingly created a hope for using this enzyme as a more effective therapeutic enzyme.
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

📚systematic-review

DOI

Nair SR et al. • Biomolecules (2022)

“In addition, the review highlights the therapeutic and clinical aspects of the serratiopeptidase enzyme to combat COVID-19-induced respiratory syndrome.”

Key Findings:

Existing serratiopeptidase treatments in combination with antibiotics are popular in the treatment of postoperative swelling.
Although an exclusive number of serratiopeptidase-producing strains have been derived, there is an urge for new recombinant strains to enhance the production of the enzyme.
This review explores the properties of serratiopeptidase, different therapeutic aspects, industrial production, and various analytical techniques used in enzyme recovery.
In addition, the review highlights the therapeutic and clinical aspects of the serratiopeptidase enzyme to combat COVID-19-induced respiratory syndrome.

📊rctn=133

DOI

Tamimi Z et al. • BMC oral health (2021)

“Serratiopeptidase resulted in better inflammation improvement than placebo over 5 days.”

Key Findings:

In this clinical trail 133 patients (mean age 23 years, 54% female) completed the study.
Serratiopeptidase resulted in better inflammation improvement than placebo over 5 days.
Further studies are warranted to assess longer-term and clinical outcomes, as well as safety.

View all 17+ studies

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Srp7.0

Serrapeptase

enzyme

Serrapeptase (Serratiopeptidase)

Silkworm-derived enzyme that breaks down inflammatory proteins and thins mucus — used in Europe and Japan as an NSAID alternative.

immunityenzymeinflammationsinusitisrecovery

17+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

moderate

Safety

120,000-240,000 SPU (serrapeptase units)

Dose

2-4 weeks

Time to Effect

Enteric-coated capsules (protects from stomach acid)

Best Form

Mechanisms of Action

⚗️

Proteolytic Activity

Breaks down inflammatory proteins

💨

Mucolytic Effect

Thins and clears mucus

Biological PathwayBeta

How Serrapeptase works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Supplement

Molecular Target

Biological Process

Health Outcome

Strong

Moderate

Emerging

strong

moderate

emerging

Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research

Recommended Dose

120,000-240,000 SPU (serrapeptase units)

60000SPU480000SPU

Optimal Timing

On empty stomach
30 min before or 2 hours after meals

Can be taken without food

Available Forms

Form	Type
💊Enteric-coated capsules (protects from stomach acid)	Recommended
💊Delayed-release tablets	Alternative

Enteric coating is essential — stomach acid destroys unprotected serrapeptase.

Duration

Minimum: 2 weeks

Optimal: 4 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: MUST be taken on empty stomach for systemic effects. Food inactivates the enzyme.

✨

Reduced Swelling

Less edema and inflammation

⏱️ 1-2 weeks

55% of users notice thispositive

👃

Sinus Relief

Improved mucus drainage

⏱️ 1-2 weeks

50% of users notice thispositive

ModerateMax safe dose: Up to 480,000 SPU/day used in studies

🔴

Pregnant/nursing

Insufficient data; avoid

Who Should NOT Take This

Bleeding disorders
Before surgery (stop 2 weeks prior)

Drug Interactions

Blood thinnersmoderate

May increase bleeding risk

Antibioticsmild

May increase antibiotic tissue levels

Possible Side Effects

GI upset

milduncommon

Tip: Use enteric-coated; take on empty stomach

Skin reactions

mildrare

Tip: Discontinue if rash develops

Warnings

Stop 2 weeks before surgery
Empty stomach is essential
Must use enteric-coated form

⟡ Bromelain

complementary

Different proteolytic enzymes

Enhanced systemic enzyme therapy

⟡ NAC

complementary

Both thin mucus through different mechanisms

Comprehensive respiratory mucus support

Top studies from 17+ peer-reviewed papers

📚systematic-reviewn=2170

DOI

Zakarija-Grkovic I et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)

“Although some interventions may be promising for the treatment of breast engorgement, such as cabbage leaves, cold gel packs, herbal compresses, and massage, the certainty of evidence is low and we cannot draw robust conclusions about their true effects.”

Key Findings:

For breast hardness, cold cabbage leaves may be more effective than routine care (MD -0.58 VAS points, 95% CI -0.82 to -0.34; 152 women; low-certainty evidence).
For breast engorgement, room temperature cabbage leaves may be more effective than a hot water bag (MD -1.16 points on 1-6 scale, 95% CI -1.36 to -0.96; 63 women; very low-certainty evidence).
More women were satisfied with cold cabbage leaves than with routine care (risk ratio (RR) 1.42, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.64; 152 women; low certainty), or with cold gel packs (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.38; 152 women; low-certainty evidence).
Compress treatments compared to control For breast pain, herbal compress may be more effective than hot compress (MD -1.80 VAS points, 95% CI -2.07 to -1.53; 500 women; low-certainty evidence).

📚systematic-review

DOI

Patil SD et al. • Annales pharmaceutiques francaises (2024)

“Serratiopeptidase topical formulations could be more effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications in treating local inflammation.”

Key Findings:

Serratiopeptidase topical formulations could be more effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications in treating local inflammation.
This article reviews studies on various topical formulations.

📚systematic-review

DOI

Hosseini SB et al. • Archives of microbiology (2024)

“The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.”

Key Findings:

To overcome such limitations, improved versions of the enzyme were introduced using protein engineering in our previous studies.
Novel functional serratiopeptidases with shorter length and higher stability have seemingly created a hope for using this enzyme as a more effective therapeutic enzyme.
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

📚systematic-review

DOI

Nair SR et al. • Biomolecules (2022)

“In addition, the review highlights the therapeutic and clinical aspects of the serratiopeptidase enzyme to combat COVID-19-induced respiratory syndrome.”

Key Findings:

Existing serratiopeptidase treatments in combination with antibiotics are popular in the treatment of postoperative swelling.
Although an exclusive number of serratiopeptidase-producing strains have been derived, there is an urge for new recombinant strains to enhance the production of the enzyme.
This review explores the properties of serratiopeptidase, different therapeutic aspects, industrial production, and various analytical techniques used in enzyme recovery.
In addition, the review highlights the therapeutic and clinical aspects of the serratiopeptidase enzyme to combat COVID-19-induced respiratory syndrome.

📊rctn=133

DOI

Tamimi Z et al. • BMC oral health (2021)

“Serratiopeptidase resulted in better inflammation improvement than placebo over 5 days.”

Key Findings:

In this clinical trail 133 patients (mean age 23 years, 54% female) completed the study.
Serratiopeptidase resulted in better inflammation improvement than placebo over 5 days.
Further studies are warranted to assess longer-term and clinical outcomes, as well as safety.

View all 17+ studies

What would you like to do next?

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

Related Supplements

Brm7.0

Bromelain

7/10

Proteolytic enzyme from pineapple that aids digestion with food or provides systemic anti-inflammatory and recovery benefits on an empty stomach.

Dge8.5

Digestive Enzymes

8.5/10

Enzyme blend that supports digestion of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber, reducing bloating and improving nutrient absorption.

Ob6.0

Ox Bile

6/10

Supplemental bile acids that restore fat digestion and fat-soluble vitamin absorption after gallbladder removal or bile insufficiency.

Ar9.0

Arginine

9/10

Primary substrate for nitric oxide production — dilates blood vessels to improve circulation, exercise performance, and cardiovascular health.