Serrapeptase and Nattokinase Intervention for Relieving Alzheimer's Disease Pathophysiology in a Rat Model

This animal study ventured beyond the cardiovascular claims for nattokinase to test whether it, and the related enzyme serrapeptase, might affect Alzheimer’s disease pathology.

In a rat model, both enzymes reduced markers of inflammation and damage (AchE, TGF-β, IL-6), raised protective factors (BDNF, IGF-1), and — on histology — reduced amyloid plaque, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s. The authors propose anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and amyloid-clearing mechanisms.

This is preclinical, exploratory work in rodents. The leap from a rat model to human Alzheimer’s disease is enormous and rarely survives contact with clinical trials, and the study tells us nothing about whether these supplements help people. It is hypothesis-generating at best.

We rate the evidence limited. It is far-from-clinical animal research, relevant mainly as a curiosity in the broad and largely unproven literature on enzyme supplements; it provides no basis for using nattokinase or serrapeptase for brain health.