Bromelain

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from the pulp and, most notably, the pineapple stem.

For several years now, Bromelain has been successfully used in clinical settings, and various clinical trials have clarified some of its primary clinical activities.

Bromelain: what is it for?

Bromelain is found to be useful in:

• Controlling the evolution of inflammatory states

• Exerting valuable anti-edema activity

• Facilitating recovery from sports injuries

• Managing the clinical course and remission periods of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

• Exerting antiplatelet and antithrombotic actions

• Facilitating the digestive process

The demonstrated pain-reduction effect is most likely due to Bromelain’s ability to reduce tissue inflammation and edema, rather than a direct effect on pain-mediating substances.

The anti-inflammatory effect of bromelain depends largely on its proteolytic activity, particularly its ability to lyse fibrin—a protein released during inflammatory processes that contributes to the persistence of edema. Furthermore, its ability to stimulate the production of prostaglandins with anti-inflammatory activity at the expense of those with pro-inflammatory activity has been demonstrated.

Like all substances with enzymatic action, bromelain performs its activity in a manner dependent on the pH of the inflamed tissues: bromelain’s maximum activity occurs when the tissue pH is between 5.5 and 8.

Bromelain can boast a large number of clinical studies in various therapeutic areas:

• In the genitourinary field, it can be useful in various pathologies with an edematous component (prostatitis, vulvodynia, bartholinitis).

• In the respiratory field, it has a good mucolytic and decongestant effect on the mucous membranes in cases of acute catarrhal inflammation.

• The administration of bromelain is effective on thrombophlebitis and in cases of varicose veins and blunt force trauma.

• In general, bromelain has an excellent effect on all edematous conditions of soft tissues.