Background of the Study

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to significant global health and economic burdens. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for viral entry into host cells, making it a primary target for therapeutic strategies. While vaccines and antivirals have helped control the virus, researchers continue to explore additional approaches to mitigate its effects. This study investigates whether Nattokinase, a natural enzyme derived from Bacillus subtilis, can degrade the spike protein and potentially contribute to post-COVID health management.

Nattokinase v.s. SARS-CoV-2 Recap

Key Results

Nattokinase Degrades the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in vitro

Nattokinase Degrades Spike Protein on the Cell Surface

Activity of Nattokinase is Essential for Spike Protein Degradation

• Heat-inactivated Nattokinase lost its ability to degrade the spike protein, confirming that its enzymatic function is required.

• Protease inhibitors also blocked Nattokinase’s effects, reinforcing its serine protease specificity.

Nattokinase Also Degrades ACE2 in vitro

• Western blot experiments showed that Nattokinase degraded not only the spike protein but also ACE2, the receptor for viral entry.

• This suggests a dual mechanism where Nattokinase may reduce both the viral protein and its cellular receptor, potentially limiting infection pathways and post entry persistence.

Takeaways

This study demonstrates that Nattokinase effectively degrades the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in vitro, suggesting new possibilities for post-COVID wellness. Taken along with its long history of safe human consumption and its well-documented cardiovascular benefits, Nattokinase becomes a potential natural strategy for supporting recovery and immune resilience in the post-pandemic era.

Reference

Takashi Tanikawa et al., “Degradative Effect of Nattokinase on Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2”, 2022

Full article at: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27175405