Introduction: Many drugs, including serratiopeptidases, are marketed without proven efficacy in clinical trials. It is protein in nature and claimed to be effective orally.
Methods: 24 albino wistar rats, 6 each in following groups were assigned--(1) Control group (distilled water, orally) (2) Diclofenac (6.75 mg/kg, IP) (3) serratiopeptidase (5.4 mg/kg, orally) (4) Combination of serratiopeptidase (5.4 mg/kg, orally) and diclofenac (2.25 mg/kg, IP). Inflammatory agent, carrageenan (0.1 ml of 1% w/v) was injected subcutaneously in the ether anesthetized rat hind paw, half an hour after the administration of drug. Rat paw volume up to lateral malleolar process was recorded with plethysmometer at various time periods.
Results: Percentage formation and inhibition of oedema in serratiopeptidase or combination groups were not significantly different than control group. Both were significantly less for diclofenac group.
Conclusion: Serratiopeptidase was not effective in this animal model of oedema/inflammation.