Scientific Names: Sulfydryl proteolytic enzyme, cysteine proteinase
Common Names: Ananase, Dayto Anase, Traumanase

Overview

Derived from the fruits and stems of pineapples, bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that is used to treat burns and skin conditions, and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Popularized in Germany in the 1960s, proteolytic enzymes are employed in the treatment of osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections.

Available data indicate that bromelain is effective in reducing pain and inflammation, and as a debriding agent in the treatment of burns. Preliminary findings suggest its utility in controlling symptoms associated with cancer treatments. However, clinical data are limited.

Bromelain is available in health food stores and online in the form of tablets and capsules for oral use and in topical formulations. It is also marketed as a “digestive aid.”

The Science

Bromelain demonstrated anti-inflammatory,^1,2 wound-healing,³ and fibrinolytic⁴ properties in vitro. Preliminary data suggest the safety and efficacy of a topical bromelain-derived agent in debridement in patients with second- and third-degree burns.⁵

Orally administered bromelain has been reported to be useful for the treatment of skin conditions⁶ and to alleviate mild, acute knee pain in a dose-dependent manner.⁷ Preoperative administration of bromelain was found to reduce pain and improve quality of life after oral surgery as well, and these effects were comparable to those with diclofenac sodium, a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent.⁸ Data on its ability to relieve osteoarthritic pain are inconclusive.^9,10

Jyothirmai Gubili, MS

Furthermore, preclinical studies indicate that bromelain exerts antitumorigenic^11,12 and chemopreventive^13,14 effects. It has also been used along with other proteolytic enzymes, as adjuvants to cancer treatments.^15,16

The mechanisms underlying bromelain’s physiologic effects have been investigated. Its wound-healing effects were shown to occur via the improvement of ischemia-reperfusion injury¹⁷; and its anti-inflammatory actions were found to occur by decreasing the levels of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane A2¹ and by activating fibrinolysis. In addition, bromelain inhibits neutrophil migration in response to interleukin (IL-8)² and decreases the secretion of proinflammatory chemokine and cytokine.^18,19

Proposed mechanisms of bromelain’s antitumor effects include downregulation of the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b),¹⁵ direct inhibition of tumor cell growth, as well as modulation of immune-cell function and cell-adhesion molecules.⁹ Bromelain also induced apoptosis-related proteins along with inhibiting nuclear factor-kB (NF kB)-driven cyclooxygenase-2 expression by blocking the MAPK and Akt/protein kinase B signaling in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene- 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (DMBA-TPA)-induced skin tumors¹¹; and induced expression of autophagy-related proteins, light chain 3 protein B II (LC3BII), and beclin-1, thereby facilitating apoptosis in mammary carcinoma cells.¹²

Adverse Reactions

Although serious adverse events are rare with the use of bromelain, allergic reactions have been reported following its topical use.^20,21

Herb-Drug Interactions

Cytochrome P450 2C9: Bromelain inhibits CYP2C9 activity and may affect the metabolism of its substrates.²²

Antibiotics/tetracyclines: Bromelain may increase blood and urine levels.²³

Anticoagulants: Because of its antithrombotic property, bromelain may increase the risk of bleeding.²⁴ ■

Disclosure: Ms. Gubili reported no potential conflicts of interest.

References

1. Maurer HR: Bromelain: Biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use. Cell Mol Life Sci 58:1234-1245, 2001.

2. Fitzhugh DJ, Shan S, Dewhirst MW, et al: Bromelain treatment decreases neutrophil migration to sites of inflammation. Clin Immunol 128:66-74, 2008.

3. Wu SY, Hu W, Zhang B, et al: Bromelain ameliorates the wound microenvironment and improves the healing of firearm wounds. J Surg Res 176:503-509, 2012.

4. Pavan R, Jain S, Shraddha, et al: Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: A review. Biotechnol Res Int 2012:976203, 2012.

5. Rosenberg L, Lapid O, Bogdanov-Berezovsky A, et al: Safety and efficacy of a proteolytic enzyme for enzymatic burn debridement: A preliminary report. Burns 30:843-850, 2004.

6. Massimiliano R, Pietro R, Paolo S, et al: Role of bromelain in the treatment of patients with pityriasis lichenoides chronica. J Dermatolog Treat 18:219-222, 2007.

7. Walker AF, Bundy R, Hicks SM, et al: Bromelain reduces mild acute knee pain and improves well-being in a dose-dependent fashion in an open study of otherwise healthy adults. Phytomedicine 9:681-686, 2002.

8. Majid OW, Al-Mashhadani BA: Perioperative bromelain reduces pain and swelling and improves quality of life measures after mandibular third molar surgery: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 72:1043-1048, 2014.

9. Klein G, Kullich W, Schnitker J, et al: Efficacy and tolerance of an oral enzyme combination in painful osteoarthritis of the hip: A double-blind, randomised study comparing oral enzymes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Clin Exp Rheumatol 24:25-30, 2006.

10. Brien S, Lewith G, Walker AF, et al: Bromelain as an adjunctive treatment for moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. QJM 99:841-850, 2006.

11. Kalra N, Bhui K, Roy P, et al: Regulation of p53, nuclear factor kappaB and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by bromelain through targeting mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in mouse skin. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 226:30-37, 2008.

12. Bhui K, Tyagi S, Prakash B, et al: Pineapple bromelain induces autophagy, facilitating apoptotic response in mammary carcinoma cells. Biofactors 36:474-482, 2010.

13. Bhui K, Prasad S, George J, et al: Bromelain inhibits COX-2 expression by blocking the activation of MAPK regulated NF-kappa B against skin tumor-initiation triggering mitochondrial death pathway. Cancer Lett 282:167-176, 2009.

14. Hale LP, Chichlowski M, Trinh CT, et al: Dietary supplementation with fresh pineapple juice decreases inflammation and colonic neoplasia in IL-10-deficient mice with colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 16:2012-2021, 2010.

15. Desser L, Holomanova D, Zavadova E, et al: Oral therapy with proteolytic enzymes decreases excessive TGF-beta levels in human blood. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 47:S10-S15, 2001.

16. Desser L, Zavadova E, Herbacek I: Oral enzymes as additive cancer therapy. Int J Immunotherapy 17:153-161, 2001.

17. Juhasz B, Thirunavukkarasu M, Pant R, et al: Bromelain induces cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury through Akt/FOXO pathway in rat myocardium. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 294:H1365-H1370, 2008.

18. Onken JE, Greer PK, Calingaert B, et al: Bromelain treatment decreases secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by colon biopsies in vitro. Clin Immunol 126:345-352, 2008.

19. Secor ER, Carson WF, Singh A, et al: Oral bromelain attenuates inflammation in an ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 5:61-69, 2008.

20. Raison-Peyron N, Roulet A, Guillot B, et al: Bromelain: An unusual cause of allergic contact cheilitis. Contact Dermatitis 49:218-219, 2003.

21. Nettis E, Napoli G, Ferrannini A, et al: IgE-mediated allergy to bromelain. Allergy 56:257-258, 2001.

22. Hidaka M, Nagata M, Kawano Y, et al: Inhibitory effects of fruit juices on cytochrome P450 2C9 activity in vitro. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 72:406-411, 2008.

23. Bradbrook ID, Morrison PJ, Rogers HJ: The effect of bromelain on the absorption of orally administered tetracycline. Br J Clin Pharmacol 6:552-554, 1978.

24. Metzig C, Grabowska E, Eckert K, et al: Bromelain proteases reduce human platelet aggregation in vitro, adhesion to bovine endothelial cells and thrombus formation in rat vessels in vivo. In Vivo 13:7-12, 1999.