| BROMELAIN BENEFITS |
Introduction
Bromelain is a crude extract from the pineapple that contains various proteinases; demonstrating
antiedematous, antiinflammatory, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activities in some studies. [1,2]
Bromelain appeared as a safe supplements with a limited side effect reports, it has became one of
the most popular supplement for various health supports.
What are the potential benefits of bromelain?
Without scientific evidence, bromelain is believed to increase libido and reverse impotence in men. [8]
Bromelain is also described as an enzyme that relieves sinus problems like congestion and irritation
in as much as 85% of those that suffer from allergies. It has been suggested to be a natural
anti-inflammatory that reduces nasal swelling. [9] Stewart-C, bestsyndication.com, suggests
bromelain for hemorrhoids. [10] A wide range of therapeutic benefits has also been claimed for
bromelain, including reversible inhibition of platelet aggregation, benefits on angina pectoris, surgical
traumas, thrombophlebitis and pyelonephritis.[11]
Bromelain may benefit people at risk of infection, help to reduce inflammation.
Bromelain has cysteine protease activity, it exerts anti-inflammatory effects in a number of
inflammatory models. Scientists from Duke University found that bromelain can effectively decrease
neutrophil migration to sites of acute inflammation and support the specific removal of the CD128
chemokine receptor as a potential mechanism of action. [13] Researchers from University of
Connecticut Health Center, have previously shown that Br treatment decreased activated CD4(+) T
cells and has a therapeutic role in an ovalbumin-induced murine model of allergic airway disease.[12]
Protease supplementation has been purported to reduce the damaging effects of eccentric exercise
and accelerate recovery of muscle function, possibly by regulating inflammation. Studies also showed
its enhancement on the absorption of antibiotics. [1,2]
Bromelain may benefit people at risk of certain cardiac diseases.
It has been known that bromelain processes of antithrombotic and anticoagulant activities in vivo
study. To demonstrate these activities, researchers pre-incubate platelets with bromelain (10
micrograms/mL). They found that Bromelain could completely prevent the thrombin (0.2 U/mL) to
induce platelet aggregation. In the study, bromelain was even more effective than papain in
preventing platelet aggregation. Another study showed that bromelain at concentration of 0.1
microgram/mL was sufficient to reduce the adhesion of bound, thrombin stimulated, platelets to
bovine aorta endothelial cells. Finally, pre-incubation of platelets with bromelain, prior to thrombin
activation, reduced the platelet adhesion to the endothelial cells to the low binding value of
unstimulated platelets. [3]
Bromelain has been shown to improve ischemia-reperfusion injury in a skeletal muscle model. In a
study of Sprague-Dawley rats, bromelain treatment triggered an Akt-dependent survival pathway in
the heart, revealing a novel mechanism of cardioprotective action and a potential therapeutic target
against ischemia-reperfusion injury. [14]
Bromelain may have benefits of promoting digestive health.
Bromelain has been sold as a nutritional supplement to "promote digestive health". A research group
found that oral administration of bromelain improved decrease in defecation in abdominal
postoperative rats. [6] In a study, researchers found that daily treatment with oral bromelain
beginning at age 5 weeks decreased the incidence and severity of spontaneous colitis in C57BL/6
IL-10-/- mice. Bromelain also significantly decreased the clinical and histologic severity of colonic
inflammation when administered to piroxicam-exposed IL-10-/- mice with established colitis. [7]
Bromelain may benefit people at risk of certain cancers
Recent studies have shown that bromelain may have benefits on chemotherapy; i.e. therapy for
cancers. Bromelain acts as an immunomodulator by raising the impaired immunocytotoxicity of
monocytes against tumor cells from patients and by inducing the production of distinct cytokines such
as tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin (Il)-1beta, Il-6, and Il-8. [1] Studies of animals have also shown
its antimetastatic efficacy and its capability to inhibit metastasis-associated platelet aggregation as
well as the growth and invasiveness of tumor cells. [1] In a study, researchers incubated sarcoma L-1
cells with or without (as a control) bromelain and then they subcutaneously or intravenously
inoculated this mixture into BALB/c-mice to induce local tumor growth or lung colonization.
Researchers found that the tumor growth and experimental lung metastasis were much less
significantly in the presence of bromelain. [4]
PINAPPLE SIDE EFFECTS
In general, pinapple is safe. However, there is a case of allergy after eating pinapple. 32 patients
became ill shortly after they had eaten pineapples. They developed intense itching, urticarial rashes,
abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. They were treated with intravenous fluids, antihistamine,
steroid or even adrenaline. All of them recovered. [5]
REFERENCES
[1] Maurer HR Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2001 Aug;58(9):1234-45. [2] Taussig SJ et
al, Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update. J Ethnopharmacol. 1988
Feb-Mar;22(2):191-203. [3] Metzig C 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. 1999 Jan-Feb;13(1):7-12. [4] Beuth J et al, Modulation of
murine tumor growth and colonization by bromelaine, an extract of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosum L.). In Vivo. 2005
Mar-Apr;19(2):483-5. [5] Kabir I et al Systemic allergic reaction and diarrhoea after pineapple ingestion. Trop Geogr Med.
1993;45(2):77-9. [6] Wen S et al, Bromelain improves decrease in defecation in postoperative rats: Modulation of colonic gene
expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Life Sci. 2005 Aug 29 [7] Hale LP et al, Treatment with oral bromelain decreases colonic
inflammation in the IL-10-deficient murine model of inflammatory bowel disease. Clin Immunol. 2005 Aug;116(2):135-42. [8] Derrick
Nelson, 11 Foods to Increase Libido AskMen.com September 23, 2009 [9] Foods and plants that may help alleviate allergy problems
morningjournal.com October 15, 2009 [10] Cure Piles at Home - 9 Natural Treatment of Hemorrhoids www.bestsyndication.com
September 30, 2009 [11] Buford TW, Cooke MB, Redd LL, Hudson GM, Shelmadine BD, Willoughby DS. Protease Supplementation
Improves Muscle Function after Eccentric Exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Sep 2. [12] Secor ER Jr, Singh A, Guernsey LA,
McNamara JT, Zhan L, Maulik N, Thrall RS.Bromelain treatment reduces CD25 expression on activated CD4+ T cells in vitro. Int
Immunopharmacol. 2009 Mar;9(3):340-6. Epub 2009 Jan 20. [13] Fitzhugh DJ, Shan S, Dewhirst MW, Hale LP. Bromelain treatment
decreases neutrophil migration to sites of inflammation.Clin Immunol. 2008 Jul;128(1):66-74. Epub 2008 May 14. [14] Juhasz B,
Thirunavukkarasu M, Pant R, Zhan L, Penumathsa SV, Secor ER Jr, Srivastava S, Raychaudhuri U, Menon VP, Otani H, Thrall RS,
Maulik N. Bromelain induces cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury through Akt/FOXO pathway in rat myocardium. Am J
Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008 Mar;294(3):H1365-70. Epub 2008 Jan 11.
Bromelain is a crude extract from the pineapple that contains various proteinases; demonstrating
antiedematous, antiinflammatory, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activities in some studies. [1,2]
Bromelain appeared as a safe supplements with a limited side effect reports, it has became one of
the most popular supplement for various health supports.
What are the potential benefits of bromelain?
Without scientific evidence, bromelain is believed to increase libido and reverse impotence in men. [8]
Bromelain is also described as an enzyme that relieves sinus problems like congestion and irritation
in as much as 85% of those that suffer from allergies. It has been suggested to be a natural
anti-inflammatory that reduces nasal swelling. [9] Stewart-C, bestsyndication.com, suggests
bromelain for hemorrhoids. [10] A wide range of therapeutic benefits has also been claimed for
bromelain, including reversible inhibition of platelet aggregation, benefits on angina pectoris, surgical
traumas, thrombophlebitis and pyelonephritis.[11]
Bromelain may benefit people at risk of infection, help to reduce inflammation.
Bromelain has cysteine protease activity, it exerts anti-inflammatory effects in a number of
inflammatory models. Scientists from Duke University found that bromelain can effectively decrease
neutrophil migration to sites of acute inflammation and support the specific removal of the CD128
chemokine receptor as a potential mechanism of action. [13] Researchers from University of
Connecticut Health Center, have previously shown that Br treatment decreased activated CD4(+) T
cells and has a therapeutic role in an ovalbumin-induced murine model of allergic airway disease.[12]
Protease supplementation has been purported to reduce the damaging effects of eccentric exercise
and accelerate recovery of muscle function, possibly by regulating inflammation. Studies also showed
its enhancement on the absorption of antibiotics. [1,2]
Bromelain may benefit people at risk of certain cardiac diseases.
It has been known that bromelain processes of antithrombotic and anticoagulant activities in vivo
study. To demonstrate these activities, researchers pre-incubate platelets with bromelain (10
micrograms/mL). They found that Bromelain could completely prevent the thrombin (0.2 U/mL) to
induce platelet aggregation. In the study, bromelain was even more effective than papain in
preventing platelet aggregation. Another study showed that bromelain at concentration of 0.1
microgram/mL was sufficient to reduce the adhesion of bound, thrombin stimulated, platelets to
bovine aorta endothelial cells. Finally, pre-incubation of platelets with bromelain, prior to thrombin
activation, reduced the platelet adhesion to the endothelial cells to the low binding value of
unstimulated platelets. [3]
Bromelain has been shown to improve ischemia-reperfusion injury in a skeletal muscle model. In a
study of Sprague-Dawley rats, bromelain treatment triggered an Akt-dependent survival pathway in
the heart, revealing a novel mechanism of cardioprotective action and a potential therapeutic target
against ischemia-reperfusion injury. [14]
Bromelain may have benefits of promoting digestive health.
Bromelain has been sold as a nutritional supplement to "promote digestive health". A research group
found that oral administration of bromelain improved decrease in defecation in abdominal
postoperative rats. [6] In a study, researchers found that daily treatment with oral bromelain
beginning at age 5 weeks decreased the incidence and severity of spontaneous colitis in C57BL/6
IL-10-/- mice. Bromelain also significantly decreased the clinical and histologic severity of colonic
inflammation when administered to piroxicam-exposed IL-10-/- mice with established colitis. [7]
Bromelain may benefit people at risk of certain cancers
Recent studies have shown that bromelain may have benefits on chemotherapy; i.e. therapy for
cancers. Bromelain acts as an immunomodulator by raising the impaired immunocytotoxicity of
monocytes against tumor cells from patients and by inducing the production of distinct cytokines such
as tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin (Il)-1beta, Il-6, and Il-8. [1] Studies of animals have also shown
its antimetastatic efficacy and its capability to inhibit metastasis-associated platelet aggregation as
well as the growth and invasiveness of tumor cells. [1] In a study, researchers incubated sarcoma L-1
cells with or without (as a control) bromelain and then they subcutaneously or intravenously
inoculated this mixture into BALB/c-mice to induce local tumor growth or lung colonization.
Researchers found that the tumor growth and experimental lung metastasis were much less
significantly in the presence of bromelain. [4]
PINAPPLE SIDE EFFECTS
In general, pinapple is safe. However, there is a case of allergy after eating pinapple. 32 patients
became ill shortly after they had eaten pineapples. They developed intense itching, urticarial rashes,
abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. They were treated with intravenous fluids, antihistamine,
steroid or even adrenaline. All of them recovered. [5]
REFERENCES
[1] Maurer HR Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2001 Aug;58(9):1234-45. [2] Taussig SJ et
al, Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update. J Ethnopharmacol. 1988
Feb-Mar;22(2):191-203. [3] Metzig C 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. 1999 Jan-Feb;13(1):7-12. [4] Beuth J et al, Modulation of
murine tumor growth and colonization by bromelaine, an extract of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosum L.). In Vivo. 2005
Mar-Apr;19(2):483-5. [5] Kabir I et al Systemic allergic reaction and diarrhoea after pineapple ingestion. Trop Geogr Med.
1993;45(2):77-9. [6] Wen S et al, Bromelain improves decrease in defecation in postoperative rats: Modulation of colonic gene
expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Life Sci. 2005 Aug 29 [7] Hale LP et al, Treatment with oral bromelain decreases colonic
inflammation in the IL-10-deficient murine model of inflammatory bowel disease. Clin Immunol. 2005 Aug;116(2):135-42. [8] Derrick
Nelson, 11 Foods to Increase Libido AskMen.com September 23, 2009 [9] Foods and plants that may help alleviate allergy problems
morningjournal.com October 15, 2009 [10] Cure Piles at Home - 9 Natural Treatment of Hemorrhoids www.bestsyndication.com
September 30, 2009 [11] Buford TW, Cooke MB, Redd LL, Hudson GM, Shelmadine BD, Willoughby DS. Protease Supplementation
Improves Muscle Function after Eccentric Exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Sep 2. [12] Secor ER Jr, Singh A, Guernsey LA,
McNamara JT, Zhan L, Maulik N, Thrall RS.Bromelain treatment reduces CD25 expression on activated CD4+ T cells in vitro. Int
Immunopharmacol. 2009 Mar;9(3):340-6. Epub 2009 Jan 20. [13] Fitzhugh DJ, Shan S, Dewhirst MW, Hale LP. Bromelain treatment
decreases neutrophil migration to sites of inflammation.Clin Immunol. 2008 Jul;128(1):66-74. Epub 2008 May 14. [14] Juhasz B,
Thirunavukkarasu M, Pant R, Zhan L, Penumathsa SV, Secor ER Jr, Srivastava S, Raychaudhuri U, Menon VP, Otani H, Thrall RS,
Maulik N. Bromelain induces cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury through Akt/FOXO pathway in rat myocardium. Am J
Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008 Mar;294(3):H1365-70. Epub 2008 Jan 11.
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PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES
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SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR
TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES
AND DISEASES. ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU
SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR
TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
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