I posted about this in Muta's injury thread and received this reply,

J.Mc.
3 hours ago
@ClassyChassis

This certainly fits great into this thread but I think it deserves its own thread. This is something I'd never heard of and I doubt many others have either. Based on the links you've posted it seems pretty legit and I think it'd be of great benefit if more of our eroids brothers and sisters could see it

So without further ado.

Serrapeptase, technically called Serratio Peptidase, is a proteolytic enzyme, which means that it chops up or digests protein. It is produced by bacteria in the gut of silkworms and is used to digest their cocoons. When this enzyme is isolated and coated in the form of a tablet, it has been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory and a pain-blocker. Unlike aspirin and other over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs, Serrapeptase has not been shown to cause ulcers and stomach bleeding.

While originally isolated from Serratia marcescens, a bacteria found in the gut of the Japanese silk worm, Serrapeptidase activity is found in fermentation extracts of Serratia E-15, Aspergillus oryzae, and Aspergillus melleus.

Serrazimes-I is a proteolytic enzyme system derived from Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus melleus that is designed as an alternative for Serrapeptidase

Serrapeptase /Serrazimes is thought to work in three ways:

It may reduce inflammation by thinning the fluids formed from injury, and facilitating the fluid’s drainage. This in turn, also speeds tissue repair.

It may help alleviate pain by inhibiting the release of pain-inducing amines called bradykinin.

It may enhance cardiovascular health by breaking down the protein by-products of blood coagulation called fibrin. Conveniently, Serrapeptase is able to dissolve the fibrin and other dead or damaged tissue without harming living tissue. This could enable the dissolution of atherosclerotic plaques without causing any harm to the inside of the arteries.

Serrapeptase has been used in Europe and Asia for over 25 years. Because the enzyme digests or dissolves all nonliving tissue, including blood clots, cysts and arterial plaque, it is used to treat a variety of conditions, including sprains and torn ligaments, postoperative swelling, venous thrombosis (clots in the legs), ear, nose and throat infections and atherosclerosis.

When searching PubMed for Serrapeptase, one can find close to 40 clinical studies, most of which are from European or Asian researchers.The studies, on the whole, conclude that Serrapeptase can have tremendous benefits.

Serrapeptase is currently being studied and used for a vast array of applications for human health and disease prevention. This includes therapeutic use for nerve damage, Multiple Sclerosis, chronic ear infections, hay fever, lung congestion, swollen glands, laryngitis, rhinitis, chronic pain, arthritis, back and neck pain, diabetes, ulcers, osteoporosis, prostate problems, rheumatoid arthritis, sports injuries (both prevention and recovery), post operative scars and lesions, varicose veins, arterial diseases, angina, blood clots, anti-aging, restoration of healthy fibrin metabolism and reduction in C-Reactive Protein.

The recommended dose is 10 mg to 30 mg per day. For prevention, 10 mg daily. For arthritis, sinusitis, fibrocystic breast, bronchitis and cardiovascular problems, 20 mg daily. For pain, start with 10 mg daily and work up to 20 mg if needed. For injury, trauma or post surgery recovery, take 30 mg daily for two days, then go down to 20 mg daily until swelling and pain subside. Be sure to take Serrapeptase on an empty stomach, meaning that Serrapeptase should be taken at least two hours after eating, and no food should be consumed for a half hour after taking Serrapeptase. This is so its enzymatic activity is not spent on dietary protein. I take 10 mg first thing in the morning and again, last thing at night.

It is important to note that the enzyme activity is measured in units and clinical studies are based on the ratio of 10 mg of Serrapeptase equaling 20,000 units of activity. When purchasing the product be sure that the ratio of mg to units is 10 mg for every 20,000 units, or 5 mg for 10,000 units and so on. The average dose, therefore, is 20 mg–or 40,000 units.

You can get this inexpensively at Swanson Vitamins, "Swanson Ultra High-Potency Serrazimes 20,000 Units."
60 caps for 6 bucks. Plus 5 bucks flat shipping. So if you buy other supps, the 5 bucks shipping covers it all. Like I said, I take 2 a day so a bottle will last me a month.

To reiterate, like Serrapeptidase, protease from Aspergillus melleus (Serrazymes) has been shown both in vitro and in vivo to significantly inhibit inflammatory responses (Fossati, 2000). However, in a head to head in vivo trial between protease from Aspergillus melleus and Serrapeptidase, protease from Aspergillus melleus showed better anti-inflammatory results than Serrapeptidase (Bracale and Sevetella, 1997). So Serrazimes is not only an adequate substitution for Serrapeptidase in anti-inflammatory products, it may even be the better choice. And it's less expensive.