Herbs & Supplements

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Uses

Enzymes accelerate reactions within body cells. In the human body, the pancreas usually produces enzymes that break down foods into nutrients that the body can use for energy and other functions. Enzyme deficiencies are rare, but individuals who have cystic fibrosis or diseases of the pancreas may not produce enough natural enzymes to digest foods properly.

Papain, an enzyme produced by the tropical fruit, papaya, is proteolytic, which means that it digests inert (non-living) proteins. While it breaks down proteins in foods, it will not harm living tissue in the body. Frequently, papain is included in prescription combinations of digestive enzymes to replace what individuals with cystic fibrosis or pancreatic conditions cannot produce naturally. Because it improves digestion in general, papain has also been used orally to treat less serious digestion disorders such as bloating and chronic indigestion. Since parasitic organisms are largely proteins, papain has sometimes been taken internally to eliminate intestinal worms, but this use is rare today.

In several studies of cancer patients, oral enzyme supplements containing papain helped to relieve treatment side effects such as mouth sores and difficulty swallowing. Additionally, chemicals in papain may increase the function of the immune system and they may also promote the release of natural chemicals that attack tumor cells. Papain may lessen overall inflammation, as well. All of these potential effects may make papain-containing preparations useful as a supplement to cancer therapy. In fact, an oral prescription product containing papain and other enzymes has orphan drug status in the United States for the treatment of multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer. An orphan drug has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because it shows effectiveness for treating severe or rare diseases that usually have few other treatment options.

In other research, papaya or papain and related enzymes have been studied for oral use in several conditions. Some evidence shows that they may help to prevent complications of diabetes, possibly by lessening protein deposits in the kidneys. A year-long observational study of more than 400 women found that those who ate papaya at least once a week were less likely to have chronic infections with human papilloma virus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted disease. In another small study of individuals with Herpes zoster (shingles), an oral papain product was as effective as a prescription antiviral medication in resolving pain, but not redness. Proteolytic enzymes such as papain may also decrease pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, improve healing of injuries, and reduce swelling after surgery. In Europe, papain is available as an ingredient in several oral non-prescription products that are sold for relieving inflamed and swollen tissue in the respiratory tract. General stimulation of immune response and decreases in inflammation produced by papain are thought to be responsible for some of these observed effects, but other possible causes are not clear. Results of some studies are inconclusive, and more study is needed before papain can be recommended for these conditions.

Topically, papain has been used for many skin conditions. Its ability to break down inactive proteins is used to remove dead tissue from burns, to help skin injuries heal, to relieve psoriasis, to remove warts, and to treat ringworm. Cold sores caused by Herpes simplex virus have been treated successfully with both oral and topical papain-containing products. In laboratory studies, topical application of papain has also shown some antibacterial properties, which may be due to papain's interference with an enzyme made by certain bacteria. Further study is needed to prove or disprove its possible antibacterial effects, however.

An injectable form of chymopapain, an enzyme closely related to papain, may be used to treat herniated ("slipped") discs in the spine. It is used more in Europe and other countries than it is in the United States.