Source

• Serratiopeptidase is a protease (proteolytic enzyme) that is synthesized from an enterobacterium called Serratia E15. This bacterium is naturally found in the intestines of the silk worm. There are many Serratia bacteria, and one is pathogenic in humans, but the E15 strain is not pathogenic. Some argue that enzymes synthesized from bacteria are not safe, causing too many side effects; however the purification process is so thorough that even enzymes derived from pathogenic bacteria are not harmful.
  
  

Use

• Serratiopeptidase has been used as an alternative medicine in other countries, such as Japan, for many years. The recent research on serratiopepidase offers evidence that it is effective in treating pain and inflammation. Serratiopeptidase has been studied in several conditions including chronic airway lung disease, chronic ear nose throat disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, jaw pain, osteoarthritis and edema. Although these early studies show clinical potential, the full effectiveness and side effects require more research.
  
  

Side Effects

• The current research documents a rare side effect of pneumonitis (as noted in "A Case of pneumonitis due to serrapeptase" by Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi in 1989). Other side effects may include allergic reaction, in which case discontinue use and consult a doctor, or minor aches and pains, which should subside in a few weeks of taking serratiopeptidase daily.
  
  

Research

• Effect of proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase in patients with chronic airway disease as published in Respriology in September 2008 found that serrapeptase may have a beneficial role in clearing mucus by decreasing neutrophil numbers and altering the viscoelasticity of the sputum.
  A preliminary trial of serratiopeptidase in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, as published in the Journal of Associated Physicians of India in December 1999, found that 65 percent of patients treated showed clinical improvement with only four cases reporting a recurrence of the condition. There were no side effects noted in this study.
  The effect of proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase in the treatment of experimental implant-related infection, as published in The American Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in June 2006, found that serratiopeptidase was effective in stopping the infection caused by the biofilm-forming bacteria in this experimental animal model. It is promising that this enzyme may be used to make antibodies more effective..
  
  

Conclusion

• Most of the clinical studies conducted do not document any side effects. In the few that do document side effects, there is not enough data to determine if they are caused by the serratiopeptidase or if they were just a coincidence. With the positive results of the preliminary data, there is sure to be more studies to document the benefits and side effects.