Papain


Clinical Studies
References

 

Papain, an enzyme with properties similar to the bromelain in pineapples or to the actidin in kiwis, is extracted from unripe papayas. This enzyme tenderizes meat and prevents gelatine from gelling. This 'solvent' sap is present in the tree's trunk, limbs, leaves and fruit, particularly when it is still unripe.

 

Papain is used for inflammation (and edema following trauma and surgery), as a digestive aid, for treating parasitic worms, inflammation of the throat and pharynx, herpes zoster symptoms (shingles), chronic diarrhea, hay fever, nasal drainage and psoriasis. Papain is also used as an adjuvant treatment for tumors.

There is some evidence that a multi-enzyme preparation containing papain can increase the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). ROS are thought to have anti-tumor effects. The multi-enzyme preparation also seems to induce the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-1 (IL-1)-beta and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a time and dose dependent manner.

 

Digestive enzymes such as papain, bromelain, amylase and protease support healthy digestion as they are needed for the efficient assimilation of carbohydrates and proteins. This approach may help to prevent indigestion from occurring as these enzymes help to ensure the efficient breakdown of food.


Product Clinical Studies


Reducing pain by oral enzyme therapy in rheumatic diseases.

[Article in German]

Klein G, Kullich W.

Sonderkrankenanstalt fur rheumatische Erkrankungen und Herz-Kreislaufkrankheiten der PVArb, Saalfelden.

Proteolytic enzymes have analgesic, effects, besides the wellknown antiinflammatory and edema-reducing properties. These analgesic effects are based on the inhibition of inflammation and in addition to that on direct influences on the nociceptors. All that explains the therapeutical effects of such enzymes in degenerative-rheumatic and soft tissue rheumatic diseases in which inflammatory or immunologic processes are not in the forefront. In recent years a significant reduction of pain in various rheumatic diseases, concerning these aspects, was shown in several clinical studies. The clinical trial in patients with periarthritis of shoulder showed statistical equivalence of pain reduction, whether they were treated with phlogenzym or diclofenac. Likewise in the trial of patients suffering from painful osteoarthritis of the knee, there was a statistical equivalence of the pain-scores, comparing diclofenac and enzymes. The study of painful vertebral syndromes again resulted in equivalence of the treatment with NSAIDs compared to therapy with enzymes.

Publication Types:
 Clinical Trial
 Randomized Controlled Trial
 Review
 Review, Tutorial

PMID: 10666820 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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[Anti-inflammatory activity of domestic papain]

[Article in Russian]

Rakhimov MR.

Second Tashkent State Medical Institute, 2, Farobi Str., Tashkent, 700109, Republic of Uzbekistan.

The influence of domestic papain to the course of experimental inflammation due to formalin, dextrane, histamine, serotonin and infectious arthritis has been studied. The domestic papain in doses of 0.325 and 0.75 mg/kg possesses strongly marked antiinflammatory activity and this ability is no less than that of butadion and indomethacin.

PMID: 11589110 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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References

  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Shaw D, Leon C, Kolev S, Murray V. Traditional remedies and food supplements: a 5-year toxicological study (1991-1995). Drug Saf 1997;17:342-56.
  4. Valueva TA, Revina TA, Mosolov VV. Potato tuber protein proteinase inhibitors belonging to the Kunitz soybean inhibitor family. Biochemistry (Mosc) 1997;62:1367-74.
  5. Zavadova E, Desser L, Mohr T. Stimulation of reactive oxygen species production and cytotoxicity in human neutrophils in vitro and after oral administration of a polyenzyme preparation. Cancer Biother 1995;10:147-52.
  6. Diez-Gomez ML, Quirce S, Aragoneses E, Cuevas M. Asthma caused by Ficus benjamina latex: evidence of cross-reactivity with fig fruit and papain. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1998;80:24-30.
  7. Raus I. [Clinical studies on Frubienzyme in a controlled double-blind trial]. [Article in German]. Fortschr Med 1976;94:1579-82.
  8. Billigmann P. [Enzyme therapy-an alternative in treatment of herpes zoster. A controlled study of 192 patients]. [Article in German]. Fortschr Med 1995;113:43-8.
  9. Shuttleworth D, Hill S, Marks R, Connelly DM. Relief of experimentally induced pruritus with a novel eutectic mixture of local anaesthetic agents. Br J Dermatol 1988;119:535-40.
  10. Mansfield LE, Ting S, Haverly RW, Yoo TJ. The incidence and clinical implications of hypersensitivity to papain in an allergic population, confirmed by blinded oral challenge. Ann Allergy 1985;55:541-3.
  11. Bienen H, Raus I. [Therapeutic comparison of throat lozenges; (author's transl)]. [Article in German]. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr 1981;123:745-7.
  12. Reinecke M. [Treatment of inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat with Larypront in ENT practice; (author's transl)]. [Article in German]. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr 1976;118:1253-4.
  13. Desser L, Rehberger A, Paukovits W. Proteolytic enzymes and amylase induce cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. Cancer Biother 1994;9:253-63.

  14. FDA. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Premarket Approval, EAFUS: A food additive database. Available at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/eafus.html.

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