Bromelain

What does it do? Bromelain is a group of proteolytic enzymes, meaning it is capable of digesting protein.

Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory agent and for this reason is helpful in healing minor injuries, particularly sprains and strains, muscle injuries, and the pain, swelling, and tenderness that accompany sports injuries.

Also as a result of its anti-inflammatory effect, bromelain has been found to dramatically reduce postoperative swelling in controlled human research. Double blind research has found bromelaineffective in reducing swelling, bruising, and pain for women having minor surgery after giving birth (episiotomy).

The anti-inflammatory effect of bromelain is the probable reason this enzyme has been found effective for people suffering from sinusitis. Some of the evidence supporting bromelain in the treatment of sinusitis comes from double blind research.

Bromelain, in combination with trypsin, another enzyme, may alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infection due to its anti-inflammatory action. One double blind study comparing the two enzymes in combination with antibiotics to placebo plus antibiotics reported that reduction of symptoms was good to excellent in all of the subjects given the enzymes and antibiotics, but less than half of those only given antibiotics.

Bromelain has been reported to increase absorption of amoxicillin when it is taken with this antibiotic.

Again, probably due to its anti-inflammatory action, bromelain was reported to help patients with rheumatoid arthritis in preliminary research. In that trial, in which bromelain was given for varying (three-week to thirteen-month) periods, 73% had good to excellent results. Bromelain is a natural blood thinner because it prevents excessive blood platelet stickiness. This may explain, in part, the positive reports in a few clinical trials of bromelain to decrease symptoms of angina and thrombophlebitisIn addition, bromelain reduces the thickness of mucus, which may benefit patients with asthma or chronic bronchitis

Preliminary evidence in both animals and people suggests that bromelain may possess antitumor activity, though the true importance of this effect is poorly understood

Where is it found? Bromelain is found mostly in the stems of pineapples and is available as a dietary supplement.

References:

1. Izaka K, Yamada M, Kawano T, Suyama T. Gastrointestinal absorption and anti-inflammatory effect of bromelain. Jpn J Pharmacol 1972;22:519–34. 2. Balakrishnan V, Hareendran A, Sukumaran Nair C. Double-blind cross-over trial of an enzyme preparation in pancreatic steatorrhea. J Assoc Phys Ind 1981;29:207–9. 3. Seligman B. Bromelain: An anti-inflammatory agent. Angiology 1962;13:508–10. 4. Cirelli MG. Treatment of inflammation and edema with bromelain. Delaware Med J 1962;34(6):159–67. 5. Masson M. Bromelain in the treatment of blunt injuries to the musculoskeletal system. A case observation study by an orthopedic surgeon in private practice. Fortschr Med 1995;113(19):303–6. 6. Seltzer AP. Minimizing post-operative edema and ecchymoses by the use of an oral enzyme preparation (bromelain). EENT Monthly 1962;41:813–17. 7. Howat RCL, Lewis GD. The effect of bromelain therapy on episiotomy wounds—a double blind controlled clinical trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonwealth 1972;79:951–53. 8. Zatuchni GI, Colombi DJ. Bromelains therapy for the prevention of episiotomy pain. Obstet Gynecol 1967;29:275–78. 9. Taub SJ. The use of Ananase in sinusitis. A study of 60 patients. EENT Monthly 1966;45:96–98. 10. Ryan RE. A double-blind clinical evaluation of bromelains in the treatment of acute sinusitis. Headache 1967;7:13–17. 11. Mori S, Ojima Y, Hirose T, et al. The clinical effect of proteolytic enzyme containing bromelain and trypsin on urinary tract infection evaluated by double blind method. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Jpn 1972;19:147–53. 12. Cohen A, Goldman J. Bromelains therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Pennsylvania Med J 1964;67:27–30. 13. Heinicke R, van der Wal L, Yokoyama M. Effect of bromelain (Ananase) on human platelet aggregation. Experientia 1972;28:844–45. 14. Nieper HA. Effect of bromelain on coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Acta Med Empirica 1978;5:274–78. 15. Seligman B. Oral bromelains as adjuncts in the treatment of acute thrombophlebitis. Angiology 1969;20:22–26. 16. Schafer A, Adelman B. Plasma inhibition of platelet function and of arachidonic acid metabolism. J Clin Invest 1985;75:456–61. 17. Kelly GS. Bromelain: a literature review and discussion of its therapeutic applications. Alt Med Rev 1996;1:243–57 [review]. 18. Gaby AR. The story of bromelain. Nutr Healing May 1995:3,4,11. 19. Gutfreund AE, Taussig SJ, Morris AK. Effect of oral bromelain on blood pressure and heart rate of hypertensive patients. Hawaii Med J 1978;37:143–46.

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