Extraction, Partial Purification and Characterization of Bromelain from Pineapple (Ananas Comosus) Crown, Core and Peel Waste

Abstract Ananas Comosus (also known as pineapple) is a part of Bromeliaceae family and it is consumed as food as well as folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases. It is reported that pineapple is a rich source of bromelain, a cysteine protease and it is considered as an important enzyme in different industries due to its significant therapeutic and industrial applications such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory and meat tenderizing. Bromelain is mostly present in fruit and stem of pineapple, but it is reported that crown, core, and peels, which constitute the waste of the pineapple plant, also contain bromelain but limited data is available. Therefore, the proposed study aimed at utilizing pineapple waste for the extraction and characterization of bromelain. Firstly, crude bromelain was extracted with phosphate buffer (pH 7), then it was subjected to partial purification using different fractions of ammonium sulphate (NH4)2SO4 such as 30, 40, 50 and 60% followed by desalting and concentration. Enzyme activity was calculated by using casein digesting unit (CDU) method. The results demonstrated that the crown bromelain showed highest purification of 4.34-fold at 30% (NH4)2SO4 saturation, whereas core and peel bromelain showed highest purification of 2.75 and 2.59-fold at 40% (NH4)2SO4 saturation. The molecular weight of crude and partially purified bromelain was determined by SDS-PAGE analysis and found to be 26 KDa. The pH and thermal stability of all the parts of pineapple showed maximum stability at pH 7 and at 35oC temperature.

Effect of Supplementary Administration of Anaheal on Reducing Pain, Swelling and Trismus after Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Splitmouth Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: To evaluate the effect of supplementary administration of Anaheal capsule in reducing pain, swelling and trismus after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Material and Methods: This single-blind controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted on 36 patients referring to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Each of the 36 patients had bilateral surgical removal of mandibular third molars in two sessions, with at least a 4-week interval between sessions. In the same individual, one of the sites randomly received a test medication whereas the other site was used as a control. In the test subgroup (test medication side), the first dose of Anaheal capsule was given as a 200-mg dose of bromelain immediately after surgery according to manufacturer's instructions and the subsequent doses were given at 6-hour intervals after the first dose. The medication was administrated for 3 days. In the control subgroup (control side), Anaheal was not administered. The severities of pain, swelling and maximum mouth opening (MMO) were recorded one and three days postoperatively. Paired t-test and t-test for independent samples were used. Statistical significance was defined at p<0.05. Results: A total of 72 surgical extractions were performed; 36 procedures served as control and 36 cases received Anaheal. Pain, swelling and trismus of the patients were at the highest levels one day after surgery, which decreased on day 3. However, independent t-test showed no significant differences in pain, swelling and trismus after surgery between the study subgroups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Supplementary administration of Anaheal (800 mg bromelain daily) had no significant effect on decreasing pain, swelling and trismus at 1- and 3-day intervals after surgical removal of mandibular third molars.

Efect of Anaheal (Bromelain) Drug on the Periodontal Clinical Indices in Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment of Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Anaheal (Bromelain) drug on the periodontal clinical indices in nonsurgical periodontal treatment of patients with chronic periodontitis. Material and Methods: In this double blind clinical trial, 80 patients with chronic moderate periodontitis and a healthy systemic status were chosen, and divided into two 40-subject groups. Thereafter, the standard treatment of periodontitis including scaling and root planning in one session by the unit operator was performed for all patients. Eventually, one group of the patients was administered Bromelain medication (500-mg capsule twice a day) one hour before food, while the other group was given placebo. Four and eight weeks after the treatment, the clinical periodontal indicators were measured and recorded in both groups. The data were assessed using descriptive statistics and analytical test methods (Mann-U-Whitney and Chi-square). P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Gingival index, probing depth and plaque index before the treatment were similar in both groups (Anaheal and placebo). However, four and eight weeks after the treatment, the three studied indices were significantly lower in the Anaheal group as compared to the placebo (p<0.05). The index of bleeding on probing was also similar before the treatment and four weeks after the treatment in both groups. However, eight weeks after the treatment, this index was significantly lower in the Anaheal group as compared to the placebo group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Administration of oral Anaheal medication after nonsurgical periodontal treatments reduced all the clinical periodontal indices among patients with chronic periodontitis as compared to the control group. Therefore, it can be a suitable substitute for the common oral industrial antibiotics.

Effect of proteolytic agents on microleakage of etch and rinse adhesive systems

Objective: this study aimed to assess the effect of treatment of phosphoric acid etched dentin surface with 5% bromelain enzyme and Nd:YAG laser prior to the use of etch and rinse adhesive systems on microleakage margins of class V composite restorations. Materials and Methods: sixty sound premolar teeth were selected. Standard class V cavities were prepared in the buccal and lingual surfaces of each teeth. Preparation in that way 1 mm of the cavity was above and 1 mm of it was below the cementoenamel junction. The teeth were then randomly divided into three groups including 20 teeth(40cavities in each gorup). Two ethanol base etch and rinse system (Adper Single Bond and OptiBond Solo) was applied in each group. In the control group, cavities were etched with 37% phosphoric acid. Adper Single Bond was applied to 20 and OptiBond Solo was applied to the remaining 20 cavities and they were restored with Z250 composite (n=40). The same procedures were performed in bromelain and Nd:YAG laser groups with the difference that prior to the application of adhesive, aqueous 5% bromelain was applied in bromelain group while Nd:YAG laser was irradiated in laser group. All teeth were thermocycled and their apices were sealed with sticky wax. The tooth surfaces were coated with nail varnish except for 1 mm around the restoration margins, and the teeth were then immersed in fuchsine and sectioned by a diamond disc into mesial and distal halves. Marginal microleakage at both sides was determined and scored under a stereomicroscope at x40 magnification. Then data were analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney tests (α=0.05). Results: according the result of Mann Whitney test, Cervical margins showed significantly higher microleakage than the occlusal margins (P=0.000) but no significant difference was noted in microleakage of occlusal (P=0.362) or gingival (P=0.147) margins among the three groups by Kruskal Wallis test. Conclusion: in conclusion, application of proteolytic agents(5% bromelain solution and Nd:YAG laser) on acid-etched dentin surface prior to the application of adhesive has no significant effect on marginal microleakage of class V composite restorations (AU)

Involvement of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants-specific IgE in pollen allergy testing

BACKGROUND: Specific IgE antibodies against the low-molecular-weight carbohydrate antigen that does not bridge IgE molecules on mast cells are not associated with clinical symptoms. Cross reactivity can be determined in allergen-specific IgE detection assays when the carbohydrate structures between pollen allergens and plant derived food allergens are similar; in such cases, false positive results for grain or legume allergens can be reported for pollen allergic patients who are not sensitized to those allergens. This phenomenon arises owing to the presence of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of CCD interference on the results for pollen allergen-specific IgE antibodies in the general adult population and to perform CCD inhibition tests evaluating the involvement of CCD on samples positive to pollen allergens. METHODS: Serum samples from 322 subjects were tested for IgE antibodies to pollens and CCD. The research subjects were given questionnaires about pollen allergic symptoms to help assess the presence of allergies. Allergen IgE antibodies for Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, orchard grass, ragweed, MUXF, bromelain, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and ascorbate oxidase (ASOD) were analyzed. RESULTS: It was observed that among individuals who tested positive to any of the pollen allergens, the positive ratio of CCD-specific IgE antibody was the highest for HRP (13.5%–50.0%). The results from the inhibition tests revealed that CCD was marginally present. Although IgE antibodies for cedar pollen did not react with CCD, IgE antibodies for Japanese cypress, orchard grass, and ragweed might be detected by the presence of CCD. CONCLUSION: The results of the inhibition tests revealed the obvious presence of CCD suggesting its involvement. Considering these findings, careful evaluation of patient IgE results should be performed for Japanese cypress, orchard grass, and ragweed.

The Clinical Efficacy of Pollen Extract and Vitamins on Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Is Linked to a Decrease in the Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-8

PURPOSE: We aim to evaluate the efficacy of pollen extract in association with vitamins in patients affected by chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and to evaluate the level of the pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with CP/CPPS between January and December 2015 were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive oral capsules of pollen extract and vitamins (group A) or bromelain (group B) for 3 months. At the enrolment time and 3 months after enrolment, all patients completed questionnaires (the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index [NIH-CPSI] and the Short Form-36 and underwent urological examinations and microbiological evaluation. Levels of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were evaluated in seminal plasma. RESULTS: Sixty-five male patients (mean age of 32.7±4.7 years) were analysed (group A, n=32; group B, n=33). At the follow-up examination, 24 of the 32 patients in group A showed a significant reduction in the NIH-CPSI total score compared with 8 of the 33 patients in the bromelain group (p<0.001). Moreover, the mean level of IL-8 was significantly lower in the pollen extract and vitamins group when compared with the bromelain group (298 pg/mL vs. 736 pg/mL, respectively; p<0.001). In group A we found a statistically significant reduction in the levels of IL-8 between enrolment and the follow-up visit (878 pg/mL vs. 298 pg/mL, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with pollen extract and vitamins improved the quality of life in CP/CPPS patients by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory IL-8.

Bromelain and cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes: An exploratory randomized, placebo controlled, double blind clinical trial / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess whether the dietary supplement (bromelain) has the potential to reduce plasma fibrinogen and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in patients with diabetes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This randomized placebo controlled, double blind, parallel design, efficacy study was carried out in China and investigated the effect of 12 weeks of bromelain (1,050 mg/day) on plasma fibrinogen. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) recruited 68 Chinese diabetic patients [32 males and 36 females; Han origin, mean age of 61.26 years (standard deviation (SD), 12.62 years)] with at least one CVD risk factor. Patients were randomized into either bromelain or placebo group. While bromelain group received bromelain capsule, the placebo group received placebo capsule which consisted inert ingredient and has no treatment effect. Subjects were required to take 1,050 mg (3×350 mg) of either bromelain or starch-filled placebo capsules, two to be taken (2×350 mg) after breakfast and another (350 mg) after dinner, daily for 12 weeks. Plasma fibrinogen, CVD risk factors and anthropometric indicators were determined at baseline and at 12 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The change in the fibrinogen level in the bromelain group at the end of the study showed a mean reduction of 0.13 g/L (standard deviation (SD) 0.86g/L) compared with the mean reduction of 0.36 g/L (SD 0.96 g/L) for the placebo group. However, there was no significant difference in the mean change in fibrinogen between the placebo and bromelain groups (mean difference=0.23g/L (SD 0.22 g/L), =0.291). Similarly, the difference in mean change in other CVD risk factors (blood lipids, blood pressure), blood glucose, C-reactive protein and anthropometric measures between the bromelain and placebo groups was also not statistically significant. Statistical differences in fibrinogen between bromelain and placebo groups before the trial despite randomization may have influenced the results of this study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This RCT failed to show a beneficial effect in reducing fibrinogen or influencing other selected CVD risk factors but suggests other avenues for subsequent research on bromelain.</p>

The influence of pH, polyethylene glycol and polyacrylic acid on the stability of stem bromelain

Enzyme stability is critical in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Investigations on this subject have drawn attention because of its practical application. Bromelain is a thiol-endopeptidase, obtained from pineapple (Ananas comosus), known for its clinical and therapeutic applications, particularly to selective burn debridement and improvement of antibiotic action and anti-inflammatory activities. To date, the use of bromelain in pharmacological or industrial applications is limited, due to commercial availability, costs, and sensitivity to pH and temperature. Therefore, a better understanding of enzyme stability would be of great interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate bromelain activity and stability in several pH (2.0 to 8.0) and in polyethylene glycol and polyacrylic acid solutions. We observed that bromelain was able to maintain its stability at pH 5.0 for the temperatures studied. PEG solutions increased bromelain stability, but PAA solutions had the opposite effect.

Estabilidade de enzimas é uma questão fundamental em indústrias biotecnológicas, farmacêuticas e cosméticas. As investigações sobre o assunto têm chamado a atenção por sua aplicação prática. A bromelina é uma tiol-endopeptidase, obtida a partir do abacaxi (Ananas comosus). É conhecida por suas aplicações clínicas e terapêuticas, especialmente para desbridamento seletivo de queimaduras, melhoria de ações antibiótica e de atividades anti-inflamatórias. Até o momento, a utilização da bromelina em aplicações farmacológicas industriais é limitada, devido à disponibilidade comercial, os custos, a sensibilidade ao pH e temperatura. Portanto, a maior compreensão da estabilidade desta enzima seria de grande interesse. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a estabilidade da atividade da bromelina em vários pH (2,0 a 8,0) e em soluções de polietilenoglicol e de ácido poliacrílico. Observamos que a bromelina foi capaz de manter a sua estabilidade em pH 5.0, em todas as temperaturas estudadas. Soluções de PEG aumentaram a estabilidade da bromelina, enquanto que soluções de PAA obtiveram efeito oposto.

Extração de bromelina dos resíduos de abacaxi ( Ananas comosus ) por sistemas de duas fases aquosas e sua aplicação em hidrogel polimérico / Extraction of bromelain from pineapple waste ( Ananas comosus ) by aqueous two-phase systems and its application in polymeric hydrogels

Bromelina é um nome coletivo para enzimas proteolíticas encontradas no talo, fruto e folhas do abacaxi (Ananas comosus Merr). A bromelina possui propriedades anti-inflamatórias, de debridamento, entre outras. Para a produção da bromelina deve-se, preferencialmente, usar resíduos do abacaxi, visto que os produtos do fruto têm aplicação comercial. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a extração de bromelina a partir de cascas de abacaxi através de sistema de duas fases aquosas (SDFA), e sua aplicação em hidrogel polimérico. Foram realizados estudos de estabilidade da bromelina comercial, em que se observou maior estabilidade em pH 5,0 com menor perda da atividade relativa em todas as temperaturas estudadas (20, 30, 40 e 50°C). O estudo da extração da bromelina em SDFA formado por polietileno glicol (PEG) e ácido poliacrílico (PAA) (com auxílio da análise de variância de parâmetros como rendimento, fator de purificação e coeficiente de partição) proporcionou rendimento de 335% e fator de purificação de 25,8. Os hidrogéis poliméricos à base de PEG estudados apresentaram-se flexíveis, com pouca elasticidade e taxa de absorção superior a 1000%. Hidrogel carreado de bromelina pelo método de turgescência proporcionou a maior liberação da enzima, assim como a maior atividade (80% da bromelina liberada em 24 h e 278 ± 89 U/mL)

Bromelain is a collective name for the proteolytic enzymes found in the stem, fruit and leaves of pineapple (Ananas comosus Merr.). Bromelain possesses anti-inflammatory properties, debridement, among others. For bromelain production one should preferably use the waste materials, whereas pineapple fruit products have commercial application. This study aimed to extract bromelain from pineapple peels using aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), and its application in polymeric hydrogels. Stability studies of commercial bromelain were performed, which found greater stability at pH 5.0 with minor loss of relative activity at all temperatures studied. The study of bromelain extraction in ATPS composed by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly acrylic acid (PAA) (with assistance of variance analysis of parameters such as yield, purification factor and partition coefficient) showed yield 335% and purification factor of 25.8. The PEG-based hydrogels studied presented flexibility, low elasticity and swelling ratio higher than 1000%. Hydrogel containing bromelain, loading by embedding (solvent sorption) method, yielded the highest enzyme release, as well as the highest activity (80% bromelain released over 24 h and 278 ± 89 U / mL)

Caracterización cinética de un preparado semipurificado de bromelina para uso antitumoral / Kinetic characterization of a semipurified preparation from bromelain for antitumor use

INTRODUCCIÓN: la mayor parte de la producción mundial de enzimas está destinada a la obtención de proteasas. Las aplicaciones de estas biomoléculas con fines terapéuticos son muy variadas. Algunas se conocen como remedios naturales y otras son fármacos modificadores de la respuesta biológica. Las plantas de piña contienen varias cisteíno-proteasas, el componente mayoritario aislado del tallo es la bromelina de tallo (EC 3.4.22.32). En el campo de la salud se le atribuyen varias acciones entre las que se destaca la de inducir la diferenciación de células tumorales y atenuar el crecimiento del tumor. OBJETIVOS: caracterizar cinéticamente un preparado semipurificado de bromelina obtenida por un procedimiento desarrollado en Cuba para ser evaluado en el campo de la salud. MÉTODOS: el extracto crudo de bromelina, obtenido a partir de tallos de plantas adultas de Ananas comosus (L.) Merr cv Española roja (piña) se purificó por cromatografía de intercambio iónico en carboximetilcelulosa-52 en un sistema semibach. RESULTADOS: la caracterización cinética del extracto purificado permitió comprobar la existencia de un preparado activo y estable con una actividad específica de 0,94 U/mg de proteínas (2,34 veces superior a la del extracto crudo original), con una fracción proteica mayoritaria de masa molar 24 500 Da y un punto isoeléctrico, localizado en la zona de pH básico (9,55). Tiene pH óptimo 6,8 al utilizar hemoglobina 2 por ciento como sustrato a 37 ºC y una estabilidad en función del pH y de la temperatura aceptable. Si se conserva liofilizado a - 20 ºC mantiene 80 por ciento de la actividad durante 1 año. CONCLUSIONES: la cromatografía de intercambio iónico en carboximetilcelulosa-52 posibilitó la obtención de un preparado semipurificado de bromelina, con una actividad específica superior a la del extracto original que puede ser utilizado en la medicina como antitumoral

INTRODUCTION: most of the world production of enzymes is devoted to proteases obtaining. Applications of these biomolecules for therapeutical objectives are very varied. Some are known as natural remedies and other are drugs modifying the biological response. Pineapple plants contain some cysteine-proteases, the majority component isolated from stem is the stem Bromelain (EC 3.4.22.32). In the health field it has attributed some actions including the differentiation induction of tumor cells and attenuation of tumor growth. OBJECTIVES: to characterize kinetically a semipurified preparation from Bromelain obtained by a procedure developed in Cuba to be assessed in the health field. METHODS: the crude extract from Bromelain obtained from the adult plant stems of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr Cv Spanish red (pineapple) was purified by ion-exchange chromatography in carboxylmethylcelulose-52 in semibatch system. RESULTS: kinetic characterization of purified extract allowed us to verify the existence of a stable and active preparation with a specific activity of 0,94 U/mg of proteins (2,34 times superior to that of original crude extract) with a protein fraction in the main of molar mass 24 500 Da and a isoelectric point, located in the basic pH zone (9,55). It has a 6,8optimal pH using the 2 percent hemoglobin as substrate at 37ºC and stability depending on pH and on acceptable temperature. If it is preserved lyophilized at 20 ºC it maintains the 80 percent of activity for a year. CONCLUSIONS: the ion-exchange chromatography in carboxyl methylcellulose-52 allowed the achievement of semipurified preparation from Bromelain with a specific activity higher to that of original extract that may to be used in medicine as antitumor agent

Overexpression of the pineapple fruit bromelain gene (BAA) in transgenic Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) results in enhanced resistance to bacterial soft rot

Bromelain is a crude protein extract obtained from pineapple stems, which comprises a variety of proteolytic enzymes. It exhibits potential therapeutic activities against trauma, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and malignant disorders. In this study, we cloned BAA1 (the gene encoding fruit bromelain) into a plant expression vector that was then used to transform Brassica rapa and overexpress BAA1 under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. We demonstrate that constitutive overexpression of BAA1 in B. rapa confers enhanced resistance to the soft rot pathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp. carotovorum. These results suggest that it could be utilized for protecting plants from attack by bacterial pathogens.

Effect of pH, temperature and alcohols on the stability of glycosylated and deglycosylated stem bromelain.

The biological significance of the carbohydrate moiety of a glycoprotein has been a matter of much speculation. In the present work, we have chosen stem bromelain from Ananas comosus as a model to investigate the role of glycosylation of proteins. Stem bromelain is a thiol protease which contains a single hetero-oligosaccharide unit per molecule. Here, the deglycosylated form of the enzyme was obtained by periodate oxidation. The differences in the glycosylated and deglycosylated forms of the glycoprotein have been studied at various temperatures and pH values, using probes such as loss of enzyme activity and by the changes in fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra. Deglycosylated bromelain showed decreased enzyme activity and perturbed fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra. In addition to this, a comparative study of their activities in different organic solvents showed a marked decrease in case of deglycosylated form of the enzyme. It is thus concluded that glycosylation contributes towards the functional stability of glycoenzymes.

Reactivity Patterns of Various Anti-D Reagents in 14 Cases with Partial D / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: A weak D type resulted from a quantitative reduction of the RhD antigen, whereas a partial D type resulted from a qualitatively altered RhD protein. Based on different serological properties from a weak D type, a partial D type was suspected in cases with anti-D in their serum or if nonreactive to some reagents. Most Red Cross Blood Centers pay attention to donors in determining RhD typing with a monoclonal anti-D reagent. This study examined the reactivity patterns of 4 different monoclonal anti-D reagents in RhD typing and a weak D test in 14 cases with partial D. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected a total of 201, 847 samples from blood donors and screened out 649 samples as Rh-negative in RhD typing with monoclonal anti-D (Bioscot) and bromelin treatment applied to an automatic analyzer between October 2002 and March 2003. Further, we performed RhD typing and weak D test using the tube method with 4 commercially available monoclonal anti-D reagents. In 14 cases with different reactivity patterns, we performed a confirming test for partial D using a `ID-partial RhD-typing' (Diamed, Switzerland) set consisting of 6 monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Partial D(DFR) was observed in 92.9% (13/14) and a partial D(indeterminate) was observed in 7.1% (1/14). The red blood cells from 14 cases with partial D were not agglutinated with 4 various commercially available anti-D reagents. However, in subsequently performed weak-D tests, different reactivity to their anti-D reagents were shown, namely irresponsiveness (Dade Behring, 14/14, 100%), trace-to-1+ responsiveness (Ortho-clinical diagnostics, 13/14, 92.9%), trace-to-3+ responsiveness (Bioscot, 14/14, 100%), and 1+-to-3+ responsiveness (GreenCross, Korea, 14/14, 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Considering that the most partial D discovered in the Southwestern area of Korea was partial D(DFR), it is recommended that RhD typing and/or weak D tests in blood donors should be done using more than two anti-D reagents from different clones.

Efficacy and safety of phlogenzym--a protease formulation, in sepsis in children.

BACKGROUND: Infections are a major cause of hospitalisation wherein the host mounts an inflammatory response against the infecting agent. Administration of proteolytic enzymes could regulate the host's immune system and help early recovery from sepsis. OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy and safety of an oral enzyme formulation, Phlogenzym (Mucos Pharma GmbH, Geretsried, Germany; constituents of each enteric-coated tablet were bromelain 90 mg, trypsin 48 mg, rutin 100 mg) as adjuvant therapy in treatment of sepsis in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Double-blind, randomised, controlled phase III study at a tertiary care centre wherein 60 eligible children aged one month to 12 years with sepsis were randomised to receive either phlogenzym (n=30; 17 boys) or placebo (n=30; 22 boys) tablets (1 tablet/10 kg body weight up to maximum six tablets a day in two or three divided doses for 14-21 days) along with appropriate antibiotics and supportive treatment. RESULTS: Median time taken for fever to subside was three days (range 1-12; 95% CI--1.14 to 7.14) in the phlogenzym group vs four days (range 1-18; 95% CI--3.52 to 11.52) in the placebo group (p < 0.05); haemodynamic support was needed for two days (range 1-3; 95% CI--0.84 to 3.16) in the phlogenzym group but three days (range 1-8; 95% CI--0.76 to 5.24) in the placebo group (p < 0.05). The modified Glasgow coma scale score normalized in three days (range 1-14; 95% CI--4.62 to 9.62) in the phlogenzym group vs 5.5 days (range 1-18; 95% CI--2.52 to 13.52) in the placebo group (p > 0.05). Oral feeds could be started in four days (range 1-15; 95% CI--1.74 to 9.74) in the phlogenzym group vs five days (range 1-11; 95% CI--1.26 to 11.26) in the placebo group (p > 0.05). Two patients died in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Phlogenzym is effective as an adjuvant with antibiotics and supportive treatment for early improvement of pediatric patients with sepsis.

Efficacy and tolerability of oral enzyme therapy as compared to diclofenac in active osteoarthrosis of knee joint: an open randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of an oral enzyme preparation (Phlogenzym) with that of an NSAID (diclofenac) in the treatment of active osteoarthrosis. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind study of seven weeks duration at a tertiary care centre wherein 50 patients aged 40-75 years, with activated osteoarthrosis of knee joint were randomized to receive phlogenzym tablets (2-3 tablets, bid) or diclofenac sodium 50 mg bid for three weeks. RESULTS: At the end of therapy (three weeks) and at follow-up visit at seven weeks there was reduction in pain and joint tenderness and swelling in both groups, and slight improvement in the range of movement in the study group. The reduction in joint tenderness was greater (p < 0.05) in the study group receiving phlogenzym. CONCLUSION: Phlogenzym is as efficacious and well tolerated as diclofenac sodium in the management of active osteoarthrosis over three weeks of treatment.

Actividad farmacológica preliminar del fruto de Bromelia pinguin L. (piña de ratón) / Preliminary pharmacological activity of the fruit of Bromelia pinguin L. (

Se presentan los resultados del estudio farmacológico preliminar de un extracto hidroalcohólico concentrado de los frutos de Bromelia pinguin L. (piña de ratón) mediante bioensayos sencillos y confiables. Se determinó la toxicidad frente a Artemia salina Leach, que resultó muy baja. Se probó la actividad antihelmíntica contra Lombricus terrestri, con resultados relevantes. El extracto no mostró actividad contra diversas cepas de hongos y bacterias

A Case of Anti-Xga Antibody / 대한수혈학회지

Anti-Xga is a rarely occurring antibody, and only two cases with this antibody have been reported in Koreans. We describe here another example of anti-Xga which was detected in a 47-year-old male. The patient suffered from burn injury on the 20% of body surface area, acute renal failure, and ulcer bleeding. Unexpected antibody identification test demonstrated anti-Xga, which was reactive only by antiglobulin phase, and the reaction disappeared after the treatment with bromelin. The red cell phenotype of this patient was Xg(a-). Fourteen units of packed red blood cell were transfused without any adverse reactions. It has an important clinical concern in safe transfusion practice to determine the specificity and the clinical significance of blood group alloantibodies.

Métodos para el pesquisaje de anticuerpos contra antigenos de grupos sanguineos del sistema ABO humano / Methods for the screeninig antibodies of the human ABO blood group system

Para el pesquisaje inicial de anticuerpos contra antígenos de grupos sanguíneos (tanto en los sueros de ratón como en los sobrenadantes de hibridomas) se utilizó la técnica de aglutinación en microplacas empléandose hematíes A1,A2,Ax, B y O tratados con bromelina. Una vez identificados los clones de hibridomas productores, se estudiaron sus correspondientes líquidos ascíticos por los métodos de aglutinación en microplacas, en tubos por centrifugación y sedimentación y en láminas, lo que permitió demostrar que con el método de pesquisaje inicial se puede procesar un elevado número de muestras y utilizar pequeñas cantidades de sobredonantes, además de que permite seleccionar reactivos adecuados para el fenotipo de grupos sanguíneos en tubos, en láminas y microplacas, que son las 3 técnicas más usadas en el mundo para el inmunofenotipaje de los donantes

Ocorrência da bromelina em espécies e cultivares de abacaxizeiro / Occurrence of bromelain in species and cultivars of pineaple plants

Neste trabalho procurou-se caracterizar cultivares de abacaxizeiro pertencentes à coleçäo do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) - Säo Paulo, quanto ao teor de bromelina, devido à sua importância para a indústria de alimentos e ao pouco conhecimento acerca de sua atividade nas espécies cultivares de abacaxizeiro. Foram selecionados 16 amostras de diferentes cultivares e dentre essas, a espécie Ananás vermelho-do-mato (Ananas bracteatus, var. typicus). Foi a que se mostrou mais promissora como fonte de bromelina, e o cultivar Roxo-de-tefé (Ananas comosus) praticamente näo apresentou atividade proteolítica, fato este até entäo näo documentado na literatura. Os valores obtidos para a atividade proteolítica variaram de 216,1 a 6617,6 unidades/100g talo

Efeito da temperatura e de ativadores no processo de extracao da bromelina / Effect of temperature and of activators on the extraction process of bromelain

No processo de extracao de bromelina de caules de abacaxi Zeiro ananas comosus cultivar Cayenne, a acetona mostrou menor eficiencia que sulfato e amonio, em relacao ao balanco material. O estudo da estabilidade em diferentes temperaturas, durante 90 dias, das amostras obtidas indicou resultados mais favoraveis na amostra preparada a partir de extrato filtrado a 40 graus centigrados e preciptado por sulfato de amonio