Nattokinase: A Promising Alternative in Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world and our approach to the control and management of CVD mortality is limited. Nattokinase (NK), the most active ingredient of natto, possesses a variety of favourable cardiovascular effects and the consumption of Natto has been linked to a reduction in CVD mortality. Recent research has demonstrated that NK has potent fibrinolytic activity, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, and lipid-lowering, antiplatelet, and neuroprotective effects. This review covers the major pharmacologic effects of NK with a focus on its clinical relevance to CVD. It outlines the advantages of NK and the outstanding issues pertaining to NK pharmacokinetics. Available evidence suggests that NK is a unique natural compound that possesses several key cardiovascular beneficial effects for patients with CVD and is therefore an ideal drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of CVD. Nattokinase is a promising alternative in the management of CVD.

Study on molecular mechanisms of nattokinase in pharmacological action based on label‐free liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

“…They found that a single dose of NK administration could enhance fibrinolysis and anticoagulation via several different pathways simultaneously. (Chen et al, ).…”

“…Nattokinase was widely studied as a dietary supplement and nutritional food, which has potential to prevent and treat CVDs (Dabbagh et al, ; Weng, Yao, Sparks, & Wang, ). Hongjie Chen et al reported that nattokinase was a promising alternative in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases by possessing a variety of favorable cardiovascular effects, such as fibrinolytic activity, antihypertensive, antiatherosclerotic, and lipid‐lowering, antiplatelet, and neuroprotective effects (Chen et al, ). The consumption of natto has been linked to a reduction in CVD mortality.…”

Nattospes as Effective and Safe Functional Supplements in Management of Stroke

“…15,21 In addition, NK has comparatively strong fibrinolytic/anticoagulant activity, stability in the gastrointestinal tract, and long bioavailability in vivo. 16 NK could possibly offer potential advantages over other currently used pharmaceutical agents for treatment and/or prevention of selected diseases processes. Kim et al has also demonstrated the efficacy of oral Nattokinese administration for the reduction of SBP/DBP in 73 subjects with prehypertension/stage 1 hypertension after 8 weeks of NK intake.…”

“…13 Additional research has demonstrated in both human and animal studies that NK has potent fibrinolysis activity, lipidlowering, antihypertensive, antiplatelet/anticoagulant, and neuroprotective effects. 12,[14][15][16] In current study, we have evaluated the efficacy and safety of NK containing supplements (Nattospes) as an adjuvant for the management of the subacute stage and rehabilitation of ischemic stroke. Nattospes were added to the standard of care (SOC) treatment protocol, which included electroacupuncture and Naatrapyl (Piracetam).…”

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different enzymatic hydrolysates from desalted duck egg white

“…Nattokinase is an alkaline enzyme that isolated from the sticky component of natto or a cheese-like food made of soybeans fermented with B. subtilis . Nattokinase cleaves cross-linked fibrin and it possesses fibrinolytic/antithrombotic activity, antihypertensive, antiplatelet, anti-atherosclerotic and neuroprotective actions [ 9 ].…”