Bromelain

The enzyme Bromelain was discovered in pineapples in 1891. When scientists discovered in 1957 that highly concentrated bromelain was also found in the trunk of the pineapple tree, they decided to use the active ingredient medicinally. Bromelain is the most scientifically studied group of enzymes.

What is bromelain?

In the case of bromelain, the biochemistry differentiates between the bromelain present in the unripe fruit and the active substance contained in the stem. Fruit bromelain contains 230 amino acids, stem bromelain "only" 212. Bromelain, that too Bromeline is a peptidase, that is, an enzyme that makes peptides (digestive enzymes). It also acts as a protease (splitting proteins). The bromelain enzyme group belongs biochemically to the family of cysteine ​​proteases.

The bromelain obtained from the stem and the unripe fruit is prepared as a mixture and sold in highly concentrated form as a single and combination preparation (tablets, capsules, powder) or as a dietary supplement in pharmacies and on the Internet. The tablets are resistant to gastric juices and only release the active ingredients in the small intestine.

The raw extract from the plant is also known as bromelain, which, in addition to the active ingredient itself, contains other health-promoting enzymes, protease inhibitors and calcium. The consumption of the ripe pineapple fruit would not bring the patient too much bromelain apart from a pleasant taste experience, since the concentration in it is only extremely low.

As a mono preparation, bromelain is sold without a prescription in pharmacies under the trade names Bromelain-POS®, Wobenzym® mono and Traumanase®. In combination with other proteolytic enzymes, it occurs in the combination preparations Wobenzym®, Innovazym® and Proteozym®.

Pharmacological effect

Bromelain is often used as an adjunct to other therapies. For example, it is used to strengthen the antibiotic effect. Bromelain is anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the production of inflammatory prostaglandins.Therefore, it is used successfully in rheumatoid arthritis, gout, arteriosclerosis and ulcerative colitis. In rheumatoid arthritis, for example, it suppresses the formation of the prostaglandin thromboxane.

The active ingredient complex from pineapple has an anticoagulant effect. By breaking down the body's own fibrin, a protein that, in high concentrations, slows the blood flow. As a result, bromelain also lowers the risk of thrombosis and protects against coronary heart disease. Bromelain is therefore also used to treat venous diseases and thrombosis.

It also has pain-relieving properties: it blocks pain-conducting messenger substances. The nasal sinus mucosa and nasal mucous membranes benefit in particular from its decongestant effect. It has the same effect on swelling caused by injuries and surgical interventions: the proteins that cause the swelling are broken down by the bromelain so that they can be quickly transported away. The swelling goes down and the pressure pain is reduced.

Bromelain also has a digestive effect. This is especially true for patients with pancreatic insufficiency. It builds up the digestive enzymes that are insufficiently produced in this disease and thus ensures that the pancreas can properly break down the nutrients in the food and make them usable for the body. It also neutralizes acidic stomach contents.

Bromelain supports wound healing, especially in burn victims. For grade 2 and grade 3 burns, when applied as a gel to the wound, it dissolves the eschar located there so that the wound can be carefully cleaned. The blood circulation-enhancing effect of bromelain also supports rapid wound healing. In this way, harmful substances can be transported away from there more quickly.

Since bromelain also has dehydrating properties, bromelain can also be used for edema. It breaks down the tissue hormone bradykinin and thus ensures that the capillary vessels constrict and less fluid is released from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissue. This will reduce the tissue swelling.

Bromelain promotes the production of certain cytokines that fight cancer cells and destroys the protein surface of the tumor cells so that they can be more easily found and destroyed by the immune system's defense cells.

Competitive athletes and fitness enthusiasts also appreciate the pineapple-enzyme complex, as it protects their bodies from infections when they perform at their best.

Medical application & use

Bromelain is formed in the stem and in the not yet ripe pineapple fruit. If it is supplied to the body in the form of dietary supplements or standardized drug products from the pharmacy, it is broken down in the liver. If the patient or athlete plans to use the enzyme complex for a long time, he should only use the agent under medical supervision.

Bromelain is only effective from a dose of 80 mg daily. If you want to consume it in a highly concentrated manner, you should buy an appropriate pharmacy preparation instead of the dietary supplement. For most applications, a daily dose of 750 to 1,000 mg is recommended.

If bromelain is supposed to promote digestion, it is taken shortly before, during and shortly after the meal. In order for it to develop the best possible anti-inflammatory effect, the patient consumes it 1.5 to 2 hours before or after the meal.

Risks & side effects

Allergic reactions, rashes, and asthma can occur in 1 to 10% of patients. In such a case, the user should stop taking and consult his doctor. 0.1 to 1% of users get diarrhea, gastrointestinal complaints and stomach pain from bromelain.

Pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children under 12 years of age should not use the enzyme complex. The same applies to patients with hypersensitivity to the active ingredient and with blood clotting disorders. If you take platelet aggregation inhibitors (anticoagulants) at the same time, the bleeding tendency increases. If a user takes bromelain and certain antibiotics (tetracyclines) at the same time, the antibiotic effect is intensified, sometimes intensively.