Plant Part Used
Proteolytic enzymes derived from pineapple stem.
Active Constituents
Sulfhydryl proteolytic enzymes (Bromelain A and B). (1) [span class=alert]
This section is a list of chemical entities identified in this dietary supplement to possess pharmacological activity. This list does not imply that other, yet unidentified, constituents do not influence the pharmacological activity of this dietary supplement nor does it imply that any one constituent possesses greater influence on the overall pharmacological effect of this dietary supplement.[/span]
Introduction
Bromelain is a general name for a family of sulfhydryl proteolytic enzymes obtained from Ananas comosus, the pineapple plant. It is usually classified as either fruit bromelain or stem bromelain depending on its source, with all commercially available bromelain being derived from the stem. (2) These enzymes act on a wide variety of proteins, including food proteins, other enzymes, fibrin and plasminogen, and have been used for years in the food industry as meat tenderizers. (3)
In Europe, a patented tape has been developed containing bromelain that is used clinically for debriding wound eschar. (4) The German Commission E approves the use of bromelain in surgical swelling, particularly of the nasal sinuses. (5) Bromelain is used clinically in conditions such as soft tissue inflammation and arthritis, dyspepsia, and dysmenorrhea, as well as a digestive aid. (6)
Interactions and Depletions
Interactions
- Anticoagulant medications
- Antiplatelet medications
- Antibiotics
- Specific chemotherapeutic medications
Dosage Info
Dosage Range
1-3 of the 500mg tablets, 3-4 times a day taken 30 minutes before meals.
Topically: Applied topically as a cream (35% bromelain in a lipid base); not recommended for more than 8-10 days.
Most Common Dosage
1-2 tablets (250-500mg), 3 times a day taken 30 minutes before meals. For anti-inflammatory benefits, use between meals, 1-3 tablets (250-500mg) up to 4 times a day.
Topically: Applied topically as a cream (35% bromelain in a lipid base); not recommended for more than 8-10 days.
Standardization
[span class=doc]Standardization represents the complete body of information and controls that serve to enhance the batch to batch consistency of a botanical product, including but not limited to the presence of a marker compound at a defined level or within a defined range.[/span]
The most current available medical and scientific literature indicates that this dietary supplement should be standardized to approximately 2,000 MCU/ tablet.
Note: One GDU (Gelatin Dissolving Unit) is equivalent to 1.5 MCU (Milk Clotting Units).
Uses
Frequently Reported Uses
- Arthritis, Inflammation
- Dyspepsia
- Cardiovascular Support (Angioplasty, Angina, Bypass)
Other Reported Uses
- Digestive Aid
- Mucolytic
- Anti-Inflammatory.
- Anticoagulant
- Chemotherapy Enhancing Effects
Toxicities & Precautions
General
Bromelain is reported safe in recommended dosages.
Allergy
The allergenic potential for proteolytic enzymes should not be underestimated. Bromelain may cause IgE-mediated respiratory allergies of both the immediate type and the late-phase of immediate type in sensitive individuals. (7) Bromelain was reported to cause allergic symptoms in approximately 28 percent of individuals with IgE allergic response to honey bee venom. (8)
Health Conditions
Based on pharmacology, use with caution in individuals with bleeding disorders. (9)
Side Effects
In large doses (up to 1,840mg), bromelain was reported to increase blood pressure in hypertensive patients. (10)
Pharmacology
Bromelain’s primary component is a sulfhydryl proteolytic fraction. (11) Bromelain also contains a peroxidase, acid phosphatase, several protease inhibitors, and organically bound calcium. Uses of bromelain include:
Inflammation: Bromelain is used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent in treating the symptoms of arthritis. (12) , (13) , (14) The analgesic effects are reportedly due to inhibition of the arachidonic acid pathway of inflammation by selectively decreasing thromboxane generation, changing the ratio of thromboxane/prostacyclin (in favor of prostacyclin), and inhibiting PGE2 in addition to the direct effects on the nociceptors. (15) , (16) Other reported anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action of bromelain include inhibition of bradykinin at the site of inflammation via depletion of the plasma kallikrein system, and limiting the formation of fibrin by reduction of clotting cascade intermediates. (17) , (18) A few clinical trials in patients with arthritis reported statistical equivalence of pain reduction, whether they were treated with bromelain or diclofenac. (19)
A study evaluating rats with collagen-induced arthritis compared cyclosporin A therapy to an enzyme complex using a combination of both. The enzyme complex contained bromelain, trypsin and rutin. Ten mg/kg of cyclosporin A and 5mg/kg of cyclosporin A plus 300mg/kg of enzyme complex significantly inhibited changes in measures of inflammation and the destructive effects of arthritis. (20) Bromelain affects CCL4/MIP-1b chemokine secretion through mechanism whereby it reduces the amount contained in the inflamed tissues derived from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. (60) The breakdown of proteins by Bromelain is futher supported by the mechanism acting on cell-surface CD25 which will decrease CD4+T cells that contributes to anti-inflammatory benefits. (62) Bromelain plays a role in neutrophil migration by abrogating a particular cell surface known as CD128 receptor which prevents the union of leukocytes to blood vessels. (65)
A human study in 90 patients with oseoarthritis found that a combination of bromelain with trypsin and rutin was as effective as the NSAID diclofenac in reducing pain and associated symptoms of osteoarthritis. Another double blind, placebo controlled study in 47 adults with osteoarthritis of the knee found that use of bromelain for 12 weeks (800mg daily of placebo) improves WOMAC score from baseline significantly.
Consumption of proteinases, including bromelain, trypsin and rutoside was found to form intermediate forms of alpha 2-macroglobulin. These intermediate forms had high affinity to TGF-beta, eliminating the TGF-beta effect on fibroblasts in cell culture. This demonstrates that treatment of cancers associated with high TGF-beta concentration may benefit from proteinase therapy. (29) It is believed bromelain plays a role in the modulating effect of neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) which is important for inhibition cancer cells although excess of ROS which cause oxidative stress might lead to DNA damage. (60) Bromelain plays a role in reducing the breakage of strand DNA by inhibiting Cox-2 and restrict the extracellular signal regulated protein which will reduce the percentage of tumour. (61)
Immune Modulation: Bromelain can reportedly induce cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Use has been reported to lead to the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1-beta, and interleukin-6 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. (30) , (31) Bromelain has also been reported to remove T-cell CD4 molecules from lymphocytes and to affect T-cell activation (32) and to enhance macrophage production of INF-gamma-mediated nitric oxide and TNF-alpha. (33) In splenocyte cultures, T-cell receptor and anti-CD28 mediated T-cell proliferation was enhanced by bromelain, while IL-2 production was decreased. IL-2 production was also inhibited in highly purified CD4+ T-cells. (34) Another study has demonstrated immune system stimulation of phagocytosis, respiratory burst and killing (PBK) in blood samples using Candida albicans as target organism. (35)
Debridement of Wounds: Bromelain applied topically as a cream (35% bromelain in a lipid base) can reportedly be beneficial in the elimination of burn debris and in acceleration of healing. (36) A non-proteolytic component of bromelain may be responsible for this effect. This component, referred to as escharase, has no hydrolytic enzyme activity against normal protein substrates or various glycosaminoglycan substrates, and its activity varies greatly from preparation to preparation. (37)
Potentiation of Antibiotics: Antibiotic potentiation is a primary use of bromelain in some foreign countries. In humans, some undetermined activity of bromelain has been documented to increase blood and urine levels of antibiotics. (38) , (39) , (40) Several studies have reported increases in the serum level of tetracycline after oral ingestion of bromelain. (41) , (42) Bromelain combined with antibiotic therapy has been reported to be more effective than antibiotics alone in a variety of conditions including pneumonia, bronchitis, cutaneous staphylococcus infection, thrombophlebitis, cellulitis, pyelonephritis, perirectal and rectal abscesses, and sinusitis. (43) , (44)
Mucolytic: A decrease in the volume and purulence of sputum was reported with the use of bromelain in a clinical study of 124 patients hospitalized with chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, bronchiectasis, or pulmonary abscesses. (45)
Digestive Aid: Bromelain has reportedly been used successfully as a digestive enzyme following pancreatectomy, in cases of exocrine pancreas insufficiency and in other intestinal disorders. (46) , (47) The combination of ox bile, pancreatin and bromelain is reportedly effective in lowering stool fat excretion in patients with pancreatic steatorrhea, resulting in a symptomatic improvement in pain, flatulence, and stool frequency. (48) Bromelain’s proteolytic activity has been reported effective for inflammatory bowel disease due to it’s anti-inflammatory effects and also since the enzymes are not affected by anti-bromelain IgG and remains within the gastrointestinal tract. (64)
Bromelain has been reported to heal gastric ulcers in laboratory animals. In an extensive study of the effect of bromelain on the gastric mucosa, it was found that bromelain reportedly increased the uptake of radioactive sulfur by 50 percent and glucosamine by 30-90 percent. (49) Increased uptake of these substances may allow the gastric mucosa to heal more rapidly. (50)
Surgical Procedures and Musculoskeletal Injuries: One of bromelain’s most common applications is in the treatment of inflammation and soft tissue injuries. It has been reported to speed healing of bruises and hematomas. (51) Treatment with bromelain following blunt injuries to the musculoskeletal system has resulted in a clear reduction in swelling, pain at rest and during movement, and tenderness. (52) Administration of bromelain pre-surgically can reportedly reduce the average number of days for complete disappearance of pain and inflammation. (53) , (54) In a dose dependent manner, bromelain was shown to be able to improve the mild acute knee pain on treatment groups although more studies need to be done to confirm. (63)
Cardiovascular and Circulatory Applications: Studies have reported that bromelain may minimize the severity of angina pectoris. (55) , (56) A drastic reduction in the incidence of coronary infarct after administration of potassium and magnesium along with 120-400mg of bromelain per day has been reported. (57) In a study involving 73 patients with acute thrombophlebitis, bromelain plus analgesics was reported to decrease symptoms of inflammation including pain, edema, tenderness, skin temperature, and disability. (58)
Another potential use for bromelain includes treatment of breast engorgement. A literature review evaluated numerous therapies for breast engorgement. Of the pharmacological therapies evaluated, a bromelain-trypsin complex as well as serrapeptase (Danzen), an anti-inflammatory agent, demonstrated significant improvement in engorgement symptoms over placebo, whereas oxytocin did not. (59)
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