Proteolytic Enzymes (Proteases)
OTHER NAME(S): Acidic Protease, Alkaline Protease, Aspergillopepsin, Dipeptidylpeptidase, DPP-IV, Endopeptidase, Exopeptidase, Neutral Protease, Pancreatic Proteinases, Pepsin, Peptidase, Protease I, Protease II, Protease 3.0, Protease 4.5, Protease 6.0, Proteinase, None., Protease, Proteolytic Enzymes, Proteases, Enzimas Proteolíticas (Proteasas), Enzymes protéolytiques (Protéases)
Overview
Proteolytic enzymes (proteases) are enzymes that break down protein. These enzymes are made by animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria.
Proteolytic enzymes break down proteins in the body or on the skin. This might help with digestion or with the breakdown of proteins involved in swelling and pain. Some proteolytic enzymes that may be found in supplements include bromelain, chymotrypsin, ficin, papain, serrapeptase, and trypsin.
Proteolytic enzymes are used for a long list of conditions including cleaning wounds on the skin, help with digestion, pain and swelling, and many other conditions. Refer to specific topics for more information on uses and effects.
Uses
We currently have no information for Proteolytic Enzymes (Proteases) overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Proteolytic enzymes are possibly safe when taken appropriately. Side effects are usually mild or moderate and include stomach and intestinal complaints. See specific proteolytic enzymes for more detailed safety information.
When applied to the skin: Proteolytic enzymes are possibly safe when applied to the skin. Some may cause allergic reactions. See specific proteolytic enzymes for more detailed safety information.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Proteolytic enzymes are possibly safe when taken appropriately. Side effects are usually mild or moderate and include stomach and intestinal complaints. See specific proteolytic enzymes for more detailed safety information.
When applied to the skin: Proteolytic enzymes are possibly safe when applied to the skin. Some may cause allergic reactions. See specific proteolytic enzymes for more detailed safety information.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if proteolytic enzymes are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Proteolytic Enzymes (Proteases) overview.
Dosing
See specific proteolytic enzymes for dosing information.
References
- Latha B, Ramakrishnan M, Jayaraman V, Babu M. Serum enzymatic changes modulated using trypsin: chymotrypsin preparation during burn wounds in humans. Burns 1997;23:560-4.
- Raus I. [Clinical studies on Frubienzyme in a controlled double-blind trial]. Fortschr Med 1976;94:1579-82.
- Billigmann P. [Enzyme therapy-an alternative in treatment of herpes zoster. A controlled study of 192 patients]. Fortschr Med 1995;113:43-8.
- Bienen H, Raus I. [Therapeutic comparison of throat lozenges; (author's transl)]. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr 1981;123:745-7.
- Reinecke M. [Treatment of inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat with Larypront in ENT practice; (author's transl)]. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr 1976;118:1253-4.
- Klein G, Kullich W. Short-term treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the knee with oral enzymes. Clin Drug Invest 2000;19:15-23.
- Kane S, Goldberg MJ. Use of bromelain for mild ulcerative colitis. Ann Intern Med 2000;132:680.
- Stone MB, Merrick MA, Ingersoll CD, et al. Preliminary comparison of bromelain and Ibuprofen for delayed onset muscle soreness management. Clin J Sport Med 2002;12:373-8..
- Walker AF, Bundy R, Hicks SM, Middleton RW. Bromelain reduces mild acute knee pain and improves well-being in a dose-dependent fashion in an open study of otherwise healthy adults. Phytomedicine 2002;9:681-6.
- Cohen A, Goldman J. Bromelains therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Pa Med J. 1964;67:27-30.
- Gerard G. [Anticancer treatment and bromelains]. Agressologie 1972;13:261-74.
- Leipner, J., Iten, F., and Saller, R. Therapy with proteolytic enzymes in rheumatic disorders. BioDrugs. 2001;15(12):779-789.
- Nomura, J. T., Sato, R. L., Ahern, R. M., Snow, J. L., Kuwaye, T. T., and Yamamoto, L. G. A randomized paired comparison trial of cutaneous treatments for acute jellyfish (Carybdea alata) stings. Am J Emerg Med 2002;20(7):624-626.
- Matinian, L. A., Nagapetian, KhO, Amirian, S. S., Mkrtchian, S. R., Mirzoian, V. S., and Voskanian, R. M. [Papain phonophoresis in the treatment of suppurative wounds and inflammatory processes]. Khirurgiia (Mosk) 1990;(9):74-76.
- Ross, E. V., Jr., Badame, A. J., and Dale, S. E. Meat tenderizer in the acute treatment of imported fire ant stings. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1987;16(6):1189-1192.
- Bolten WW, Glade MJ, Raum S, et al. The safety and efficacy of an enzyme combination in managing knee osteoarthritis pain in adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis. 2015;2015:251521.
- Büttner L, Achilles N, Böhm M, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of bromelain in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis--a pilot study. B-ENT. 2013;9(3):217-25.
- Conrozier T, Mathieu P, Bonjean M, et al. A complex of three natural anti-inflammatory agents provides relief of osteoarthritis pain. Altern Ther Health Med. 2014;20 Suppl 1:32-7.
- Müller S, März R, Schmolz M, et al. Placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial on the immunomodulating activities of low- and high-dose bromelain after oral administration - new evidence on the antiinflammatory mode of action of bromelain. Phytother Res. 2013;27(2):199-204.
- Rosenberg L, Krieger Y, Bogdanov-Berezovski A, et al. A novel rapid and selective enzymatic debridement agent for burn wound management: a multi-center RCT. Burns. 2014;40(3):466-74.
- Desideri I, Francolini G, Becherini C, et al. Use of an alpha lipoic, methylsulfonylmethane and bromelain dietary supplement (Opera) for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy management, a prospective study. Med Oncol. 2017 Mar;34(3):46.
- United States Pharmacopeial Convention. Food Chemicals Codex (FCC). 11th Edition. Rockville, MD: The United States Pharmacopeial Convention; 2018.
- Beuth J. Proteolytic Enzyme Therapy in Evidence-Based Complementary Oncology: Fact or Fiction? Integr Cancer Ther. 2008;7(4):311-316.
- Weeks JA, Harper RA, Simon RA, Burdick JD. Assessment of sensitization risk of a laundry pre-spotter containing protease. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2011;30(4):272-9.
- Marquès LI, Lara S, Abós T, Bartolomé B. Occupational rhinitis due to pepsin. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006;16(2):136-7.
- Cartier A, Malo JL, Pineau L, Dolovich J. Occupational asthma due to pepsin. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1984;73(5 Pt 1):574-7.
- Mantle D, Preedy VR. Adverse and beneficial functions of proteolytic enzymes in skeletal muscle. An overview. Adverse Drug React Toxicol Rev. 2002;21(1-2):31-49.
- Sinclair RD, Ryan TJ. Proteolytic enzymes in wound healing: the role of enzymatic debridement. Australas J Dermatol. 1994;35(1):35-41.
- Tooth D, Garsed K, Singh G, et al. Characterisation of faecal protease activity in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: origin and effect of gut transit. Gut. 2014;63(5):753-60.
- Kawabata A, Matsunami M, Sekiguchi F. Gastrointestinal roles for proteinase-activated receptors in health and disease. Br J Pharmacol. 2008;153 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S230-40.
- Hansen KK, Oikonomopoulou K, Li Y, Hollenberg MD. Proteinases, proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) and the pathophysiology of cancer and diseases of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2008;377(4-6):377-92.