Written by the Morning Union Team. Last updated on 10/29/2026.
There is no good human study showing that serrapeptase breaks down scar tissue, surgical adhesions or tight fascia. It is an enzyme that digests proteins and can break down fibrin, the protein in blood clots, and small trials suggest it may ease swelling for a few days after dental surgery. But reviews call the overall evidence weak, it was withdrawn as a medicine in Japan and Singapore after newer trials found no clear benefit over placebo, and it may raise bleeding risk. It does not "dissolve" fascia.
If you have scar tissue after surgery, endometriosis adhesions or fascia that feels stuck and tight, you have probably come across serrapeptase. It is talked about a lot in online support groups, often with strong claims that it "eats" scar tissue.
Others in the same groups say the evidence is thin. They are right to ask. This guide sets out what serrapeptase is, what the studies actually tested, the doses used, the safety issues and what is known to help scars. Every claim links to its source.
What is serrapeptase?
Serrapeptase (also called serratiopeptidase) is a protein-digesting enzyme. It was first taken from bacteria that live in the gut of the silkworm, and it is now made by growing those bacteria in tanks (Jadhav et al., 2020).
It has been prescribed in parts of Asia and Europe for swelling and pain, in surgery, dentistry and other fields. In the US it is sold as a dietary supplement. A systematic review found that despite its wide use, there are few good studies of whether it works (Bhagat et al., 2013).
It is one of the enzymes you may see in fascia formulas. For how it compares with the other common ingredients, see our guide to fascial supplement ingredients.
Why people take it for scar tissue and adhesions
The idea comes from what serrapeptase does in a test tube. It breaks down fibrin, the sticky protein that forms blood clots. One review describes it as breaking down fibrin "and other dead or damaged tissue", citing older reports (Jadhav et al., 2020). Online, that has turned into the claim that it digests scar tissue, adhesions, cysts and even "thickened" fascia.
The theme is common in endometriosis and adhesion groups, in long COVID groups and in groups for chronic muscle pain. Some people report feeling better. Others report no change. Many ask the fair question: has anyone actually studied this?
The gap is in the step from lab to body. Lab results show what an enzyme can do to proteins in a dish. They do not show that a capsule, after passing through your stomach and gut, reaches a scar and changes it. One review notes that very little is known about how serrapeptase is absorbed in people (Jadhav et al., 2020).
Serrapeptase scar tissue studies: what exists
We searched the medical research database PubMed for human trials of serrapeptase for scar tissue, surgical adhesions, keloids or fascia. We could not find any. Here is what the human research does cover:
- Swelling after wisdom tooth surgery. This is where most trials are. A review of five small trials found serrapeptase improved jaw opening compared with steroids, and did no better than steroids for swelling. The authors rated the evidence as low quality (Sivaramakrishnan and Sridharan, 2018). In a 2021 trial of 133 people, serrapeptase for 5 days reduced swelling and improved mouth opening by day 4, but did not reduce pain (Tamimi et al., 2021). An earlier trial of 150 people found no meaningful effect on pain or swelling (Chopra et al., 2009).
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. A small study of 20 people, with no placebo group, reported improvement after 6 weeks. The authors called it a preliminary trial and said larger studies were needed (Panagariya and Sharma, 1999).
- Overall. A systematic review concluded that the studies were of poor quality, small and often unclear about dose and outcomes, and that the evidence does not support its use as a pain reliever or health supplement (Bhagat et al., 2013).
There is also a regulatory history worth knowing. In 2011, a serrapeptase drug was withdrawn in Japan after newer placebo-controlled trials did not show a clear benefit. Singapore's health regulator then reviewed the data, found it gave no significant benefit over placebo and phased it out as a medicine (Health Sciences Authority, Singapore).
Short-term swelling after surgery is not the same as old scar tissue. So even the trials that did find a benefit do not tell us anything about scars months or years old.
Does serrapeptase dissolve fascia or scar tissue?
No. There is no evidence that it does, and it would be worrying if it did.
Fascia is healthy, living tissue that holds your body together. Mature scar tissue is mostly tightly packed collagen. Neither is a loose clot of fibrin. An enzyme that could dissolve either of them in your body would also be a danger to healthy tissue.
When people describe tight or "thickened" fascia, researchers usually mean fascia that has lost its glide, often linked to changes in its slippery hyaluronic acid layer, not a layer of debris to be eaten away (Stecco et al., 2011). You can read more in our article on hyaluronic acid for fascia.
On "before and after" stories: they are real experiences, but they are hard to judge. Most scars fade and flatten on their own over time, which can take up to 2 years or more (NHS). Pain from adhesions and fascia also tends to come and go. Without a comparison group, it is hard to know what caused a change.
Serrapeptase dosage used in studies
There is no studied dose for scar tissue, because there are no scar tissue trials. In the dental trials, doses ranged from 5 mg to 20 mg, taken two or three times a day, for 3 to 7 days (Sivaramakrishnan and Sridharan, 2018). The 2021 trial used 10 mg three times a day for 5 days (Tamimi et al., 2021). The carpal tunnel study used 10 mg twice a day for 6 weeks (Panagariya and Sharma, 1999).
Notice how short most of these courses were. Online, people often take it for months. There is very little data on safety over that length of time (Bhagat et al., 2013).
Safety: blood thinners, surgery and side effects
Because serrapeptase breaks down fibrin, the protein that holds a blood clot together, it may add to the effect of blood thinners. Its fibrinolytic (clot-dissolving) activity is well described, while its long-term safety has not been studied well (Bhagat et al., 2013). A later review agreed that more data on safety and tolerability is needed (Jadhav et al., 2020).
In the dental trials, side effects were usually mild (Chopra et al., 2009). Rare serious reactions have been reported, including a case of lung inflammation (Hirahara et al., 1989) and a severe skin reaction in a person taking it combined with a painkiller (Moitra et al., 2014).
Talk to your doctor before taking serrapeptase if you:
- take warfarin, another blood thinner or daily aspirin, or have a bleeding disorder
- have surgery or dental work coming up
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- take several other supplements that may affect clotting
Our guide to fascia supplement side effects lists other common ingredients that may affect bleeding.
What actually helps scar tissue and adhesions
If a scar is painful or bothering you, see your doctor. Options with a proper track record include silicone gels or dressings, steroid injections or cream, freezing treatment and laser therapy (NHS). Get help quickly if a scar becomes swollen, painful, warm or starts to leak pus (NHS).
If you think you have adhesions after surgery or from endometriosis, talk to your surgeon or gynecologist. Pain from adhesions can look like other problems, and some of those need treatment.
For tight, achy fascia, gentle regular movement is the simplest, safest first step. A physical therapist can show you how to move scarred areas safely. If you are curious about supplements for fascia more broadly, our article on whether fascia supplements work rates each common ingredient honestly.
Frequently asked questions
Does serrapeptase break down scar tissue?
There is no good human evidence that it does. Serrapeptase breaks down fibrin, the protein in blood clots, in lab tests. No published trial has shown that taking it by mouth breaks down scar tissue, keloids or surgical adhesions in people.
Can serrapeptase help scar tissue after surgery?
Small trials after wisdom tooth surgery found it may reduce swelling and improve jaw opening for a few days, but results were mixed. That is short-term swelling, not scar tissue. Ask your surgeon before taking it, as it may raise bleeding risk.
What is the serrapeptase dosage for scar tissue?
There is no studied dose for scar tissue. Dental trials used 5 to 20 mg two or three times a day for 3 to 7 days. Long-term safety has not been studied well, so talk to your doctor before taking it for months.
Does serrapeptase dissolve fascia?
No. Fascia is healthy living tissue, and there is no evidence serrapeptase dissolves it. Tight fascia is usually described as fascia that has lost its glide, not a layer that needs to be broken down.
Is serrapeptase safe with blood thinners?
Ask your doctor first. Serrapeptase has clot-dissolving activity and its long-term safety has not been studied well, so it may add to the effect of warfarin, other blood thinners or daily aspirin.
If your aches and stiffness feel like they come from tissue that has lost its give, read our plain-English guide to fascia. It explains what the research found, which conditions it has been linked to, and how to support your fascia every day.
Fascia relief: start here
The aches, stiffness and tiredness that no test can explain may come from one tissue. See what the research found and how to support it.
Read the fascia guide
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