Nattokinase for Fibrinolytic Support, Cardiovascular Health & Blood Circulation Improvement

1. Description

Nattokinase is a serine protease derived from natto, a traditional Japanese food. It belongs to the Bacillus subtilis protease family and is produced through fermentation by Bacillus subtilis. It appears as a white to off-white solid powder and possesses oral bioavailability and fibrinolytic activity. This enzyme can directly hydrolyze fibrin and fibrinolytic substrates, and degrade plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, thereby dissolving blood clots and inhibiting platelet aggregation. Storage conditions are as follows: the powder can be stored for 3 years at -20°C and for 2 years at 4°C; when dissolved in a solvent, it can be stored for 6 months at -80°C and for 1 month at -20°C.

2. Application

(1) Cardiovascular disease research: Used to study thrombolysis and prevention. In a rat thrombosis model, oral administration of nattokinase (150–250 mg/kg, twice daily for 2 days) dose-dependently increased plasma levels of fibrin degradation products and D-dimer, and reduced the proportion of the vascular cross-section occupied by thrombus.

(2) Alzheimer’s Disease Research: Used to investigate the degradation of amyloid fibrils. Studies indicate that nattokinase may effectively break down toxic amyloid fibrils associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

(3) Cancer Immunotherapy Research: In vitro studies show that after 8 hours of treatment with nattokinase (62.5–2000 FU), the lysis rate of HCC1806 and OVCAR3 cells by MSLN CAR-T cells is significantly increased.

(4) COVID-19 Research: Used to investigate its potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection by degrading the S protein.

(5) Antiplatelet Aggregation Research: Investigated for mechanisms to inhibit platelet aggregation as a potential strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

3. Main Efficacy

(1) Fibrinolytic activity: As a serine protease, nattokinase can directly hydrolyze fibrin and fibrinolytic substrates and degrade plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, thereby dissolving blood clots. In vitro studies have shown that 94% of blood clots dissolve within 10 minutes of adding nattokinase.

(2) Antithrombotic Effects: In a rat thrombosis model, oral administration of nattokinase dose-dependently increased plasma levels of FDPs and D-dimer, demonstrating significant fibrinolytic activity and thrombolytic effects. In the high-dose group (250 mg/kg), levels of FDPs and D-dimer showed no significant difference compared to the positive control group.

(3) Inhibition of platelet aggregation: Nattokinase can inhibit platelet aggregation, synergistically exerting an antithrombotic effect through its antiplatelet mechanism.

(4) Oral bioavailability: Nattokinase is orally bioavailable; it can be absorbed via the oral route and exert systemic fibrinolytic effects, giving it an advantage in the development of dietary supplements and oral medications.

(5) Degradation of amyloid fibrils: A 2009 study indicated that nattokinase may effectively break down toxic amyloid fibrils associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

(6) Enhancement of CAR-T cell therapy: In vitro experiments showed that nattokinase treatment significantly enhanced the lytic capacity of MSLN CAR-T cells against solid tumor cells, suggesting its potential application in tumor immunotherapy.