Anti-Inflammatory Support
Strong Relief from Painful Inflammation

Price range: 1-2 containers: $8.95 each.   3-5: $8.50.   6+: $7.95

 

Anti-Inflammatory Support formula contains the natural ingredient Bromelain, which has a wide variety of health benefits, including relief from arthritis and other painful conditions of the connective tissue, as well as sinusitis.

Bromelain is particularly beneficial after surgery or sports injury because it may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain.

Other benefits include treatment of wounds and burns, relief from swelling caused sinusitis and hay fever, and anti-bacterial effects in the digestive system.

The German Commission E, the government agency responsible for regulating and stipulating the uses of alternative medicine, recommends bromelain for the treatment of sinus and nasal conditions.

In addition, bromelain may be used as a digestive aid.  Bromelain also exhibits some anti-microbial properties and may be used to fight infections from viruses and bacteria. 

Bromelain works by thinning the blood and by increasing white blood cell activity.  The effect of these combined activities is that Bromelain has the power to reduce swelling, bruising, and pain following injury, and also decrease healing time.  Bromelain is recommended for patients recovering from surgery and for athletes who wish to reduce the risk of serious injury during heavy exercise.

Bromelain is extracted from pineapple plants grown in Hawaii, Brazil, Paraguay, Japan, and Taiwan.  In Germany the substance is used to fight infections, especially acute bronchitis and sinusitis.  Bromelain is also effective against upset stomachs, heartburn, and indigestion.
 

 “Beneficial therapeutic effects of bromelain have been suggested or proven in several human inflammatory diseases…including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.”
---Study cited in International Immunopharmacology,
April 2005.

 

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Journal Citations:

“Therapeutic use, efficiency and safety of the proteolytic pineapple enzyme Bromelain-POS in children with acute sinusitis in Germany. “
Author:                       Braun,-J-M; Schneider,-B; Beuth,-H-J
Citation:         In-Vivo. 2005 Mar-Apr; 19(2): 417-21
Abstract:        The therapeutic efficiency and safety of the proteolytic enzyme bromelaine obtained from pineapple (Bromelain-POS, Ursapharm GmbH, Saarbrucken, Germany) was evaluated in children under the age of 11 years diagnosed with acute sinusitis. Data from 116 patients from 19 centres located across Germany were analysed in a pharmacoepidemiological cohort study. Patient cohorts were either treated with Bromelain-POS (N = 62), in combination with Bromelain-POS and standard therapies (N = 34), or with standard therapies (N = 20). The primary parameter measuring effectiveness of the different treatment groups was the duration of symptoms. The shortest mean period of symptoms was observed in patients treated with Bromelain-POS alone (6.66 days), followed by the standard therapy (7.95 days) and those treated with a combination of Bromelain-POS and the standard therapy (9.06 days). Patients of the Bromelain-POS monotherapy group showed a statistically significant faster recovery from symptoms (p = 0.005) compared to the other treatment groups. One 10-year-old male patient, with a known pineapple allergy, showed a self-limiting mild allergic reaction. No other unwanted side-effects were reported. This trial documents that the proteolytic pineapple enzyme Bromelain-POS is widely used in the treatment of young children diagnosed with acute sinusitis in Germany and that the use of proteolytic enzymes can benefit such patients.

”Proteinase activity and stability of natural bromelain preparations.”
Author:                       Hale,-L-P; Greer,-P-K; Trinh,-C-T; James,-C-L
Citation:         Int-Immunopharmacol. 2005 Apr; 5(4): 783-93
Abstract:        Bromelain is a complex mixture of proteinases typically derived from pineapple stem. Similar proteinases are also present in pineapple fruit. Beneficial therapeutic effects of bromelain have been suggested or proven in several human inflammatory diseases and animal models of inflammation, including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. However, it is not clear how each of the proteinases within bromelain contributes to its anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Previous in vivo studies using bromelain have been limited by the lack of assays to control for potential differences in the composition and proteolytic activity of this naturally derived proteinase mixture. In this study, we present model substrate assays and assays for cleavage of bromelain-sensitive cell surface molecules can be used to assess the activity of constituent proteinases within bromelain without the need for biochemical separation of individual components.

Commercially available chemical and nutraceutical preparations of bromelain contain predominately stem bromelain. In contrast, the proteinase activity of pineapple fruit reflects its composition of fruit bromelain>ananain approximately stem bromelain. Concentrated bromelain solutions (>50 mg/ml) are more resistant to spontaneous inactivation of their proteolytic activity than are dilute solutions, with the proteinase stability in the order of stem bromelain>fruit bromelain approximately ananain. The proteolytic activity of concentrated bromelain solutions remains relatively stable for at least 1 week at room temperature, with minimal inactivation by multiple freeze-thaw cycles or exposure to the digestive enzyme trypsin. The relative stability of concentrated versus dilute bromelain solutions to inactivation under physiologically relevant conditions suggests that delivery of bromelain as a concentrated bolus would be the preferred method to maximize its proteolytic activity in vivo.


“The effects of protease supplementation on skeletal muscle function and DOMS following downhill running.”
Author:                       Miller,-P-C; Bailey,-S-P; Barnes,-M-E; Derr,-S-J; Hall,-E-E
Citation:         J-Sports-Sci. 2004 Apr; 22(4): 365-72
Abstract:        Protease supplementation has been shown to attenuate soft tissue injury resulting from intense exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of protease supplementation on muscle soreness and contractile performance after downhill running. Ten matched pairs of male participants ran at a -10% grade for 30 min at 80% of their predicted maximal heart rate. The participants consumed two protease tablets (325 mg pancreatic enzymes, 75 mg trypsin, 50 mg papain, 50 mg bromelain, 10 mg amylase, 10 mg lipase, 10 mg lysozyme, 2 mg chymotrypisn) or a placebo four times a day beginning 1 day before exercise and lasting a total of 4 days. The participants were evaluated for perceived muscle soreness of the front and back of the dominant leg, pressure pain threshold by dolorimetry of the anterior medial, anterior lateral, posterior medial and posterior lateral quadrants of the thigh, and knee extension/flexion torque and power. The experimental group demonstrated superior recovery of contractile function and diminished effects of delayed-onset muscle soreness after downhill running when compared with the placebo group. Our results indicate that protease supplementation may attenuate muscle soreness after downhill running. Protease supplementation may also facilitate muscle healing and allow for faster restoration of contractile function after intense exercise.

“Nutritional support for wound healing.”
Author:                       MacKay,-D; Miller,-A-L
Citation:         Altern-Med-Rev. 2003 Nov; 8(4): 359-77
Abstract:        Healing of wounds, whether from accidental injury or surgical intervention, involves the activity of an intricate network of blood cells, tissue types, cytokines, and growth factors. This results in increased cellular activity, which causes an intensified metabolic demand for nutrients. Nutritional deficiencies can impede wound healing, and several nutritional factors required for wound repair may improve healing time and wound outcome. Vitamin A is required for epithelial and bone formation, cellular differentiation, and immune function. Vitamin C is necessary for collagen formation, proper immune function, and as a tissue antioxidant. Vitamin E is the major lipid-soluble antioxidant in the skin; however, the effect of vitamin E on surgical wounds is inconclusive. Bromelain reduces edema, bruising, pain, and healing time following trauma and surgical procedures. Glucosamine appears to be the rate-limiting substrate for hyaluronic acid production in the wound. Adequate dietary protein is absolutely essential for proper wound healing, and tissue levels of the amino acids arginine and glutamine may influence wound repair and immune function. The botanical medicines Centella asiatica and Aloe vera have been used for decades, both topically and internally, to enhance wound repair, and scientific studies are now beginning to validate efficacy and explore mechanisms of action for these botanicals. To promote wound healing in the shortest time possible, with minimal pain, discomfort, and scarring to the patient, it is important to explore nutritional and botanical influences on wound outcome.

“Administration of proteolytic enzymes bromelain and trypsin diminish the number of CD4+ cells and the interferon-gamma response in Peyer's patches and spleen in endotoxemic balb/c mice.”
Author:                       Manhart, N : Akomeah, R : Bergmeister, H : Spittler, A : Ploner, M : Roth, E
Citation:         Cell-Immunol. 2002 Feb; 215(2): 113-9
Abstract:        Recent publications revealed that bromelain exerts a marked effect on T-cell response by inhibiting T-cell signal transduction. These experimental studies may help to explain former clinical investigations showing that Phlogenzym (PHL), a preparation consisting of the proteases bromelain and trypsin and the antioxidant rutosid, ameliorate certain diseases with an underlying inflammatory process. In this study, we showed that orally administered PHL significantly reduced lymphocyte subpopulations in Peyer's patches (PPs) of healthy and endotoxemic mice. Similarly, the number of splenic lymphocytes in endotoxin-boostered mice was significantly lowered by PHL. The effect of PHL was more pronounced on T cells than on B cells leading especially to a diminution of CD4+ cells. Moreover, PHL pretreatment decreased IFN-gamma mRNA in PPs and spleen of endotoxemic mice. These results reveal that PHL may ameliorate inflammatory process by reducing the number of CD4+ cells and by diminishing INF-gamma mRNA levels.

“In vivo and in vitro effects of bromelain on PGE(2) and SP concentrations in the inflammatory exudate in rats.”
Author:           Gaspani, L : Limiroli, E : Ferrario, P : Bianchi, M
Citation:         Pharmacology. 2002 May; 65(2): 83-6
Abstract:        The effects of bromelain were examined in rats with subcutaneous carrageenin-induced inflammation. After oral in vivo administration, bromelain (10 and 20 mg/kg p.o.) induced a significant decrease of both PGE(2) and substance P concentrations in the exudate. When added to the inflammatory exudate in vitro, the drug (25, 50, 100 microg/ml) did not affect PGE(2) concentrations and induced an increase in the substance P levels. Our data indicate that bromelain reduces the production of two key mediators of inflammation. This effect does not seem to be related to a direct action of the drug on PGE(2) and SP released in the exudate in response to the inflammatory stimulus. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

“Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use.”
Author:                       Maurer, H R
Citation:         Cell-Mol-Life-Sci. 2001 Aug; 58(9): 1234-45
Abstract:        Bromelain is a crude extract from the pineapple that contains, among other components, various closely related proteinases, demonstrating, in vitro and in vivo, antiedematous, antiinflammatory, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activities. The active factors involved are biochemically characterized only in part. Due to its efficacy after oral administration, its safety and lack of undesired side effects, bromelain has earned growing acceptance and compliance among patients as a phytotherapeutical drug. A wide range of therapeutic benefits has been claimed for bromelain, such as reversible inhibition of platelet aggregation, angina pectoris, bronchitis, sinusitis, surgical traumas, thrombophlebitis, pyelonephritis and enhanced absorption of drugs, particularly of antibiotics. Biochemical experiments indicate that these pharmacological properties depend on the proteolytic activity only partly, suggesting the presence of nonprotein factors in bromelain.

Recent results from preclinical and pharmacological studies recommend bromelain as an orally given drug for complementary tumor therapy: 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. In a recent clinical study with mammary tumor patients, these findings could be partially confirmed. Especially promising are reports on animal experiments claiming an antimetastatic efficacy and inhibition of metastasis-associated platelet aggregation as well as inhibition of growth and invasiveness of tumor cells. Apparently, the antiinvasive activity does not depend on the proteolytic activity.

This is also true for bromelain effects on the modulation of immune functions, its potential to eliminate burn debris and to accelerate wound healing. Whether bromelain will gain wide acceptance as a drug that inhibits platelet aggregation, is antimetastatic and facilitates skin debridement, among other indications, will be determined by further clinical trials. The claim that bromelain cannot be effective after oral administration is definitely refuted at this time.

Supporting Research:

Adachi N, Koh CS, Tsukada N, Shoji S, Yanagisawa N. In vitro degradation of amyloid material by four proteases in tissue of a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. J Neurol Sci. 1988;84(2-3):295-299.

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinkman J, ed. Herbal Medicine. Expanded Commission E Monographs. Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:33-35.

Bradbrook JD. The effect of bromelain on the absorption of orally administered tetracycline. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1978;6(6):552-554.

Bromelain. Alt Med Rev. August 1998;3:302–305.

Brunton J. Pharmagnosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing; 1995.

Desser L, Rehberger A, Kokron E, Paukovits W. Cytokine synthesis in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells after oral administration of polyenzyme preparations. Oncology. 1993;50:403–407.

Felton GE. Fibrinolytic and antithrombotic action of bromelain may eliminate thrombosis in heart patients. Med Hypotheses. 1980;6(11):1123-1133.

Harborne J, Baxter H, eds. Phytochemical Dictionary: A Handbook of Bioactive Compounds from Plants. London, England: Taylor & Francis; 1993:376.

Klein G, Kullich W. Short-term treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the knee with oral enzymes. A randomized, double-blind study versus diclofenec. Clin Drug Invest. 2000;19(1):15-23.

Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996.

Majima M, Kawashima N, Hiroshi I, Katori M. Effects of an orally active non-peptide bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, FR173657, on plasma exudation in rat carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Br J Pharmacol. 1997;121(4):723-730.

Masson M. Bromelain in blunt injuries of the locomotor system. A study of observed applications in general practice. Fortschr Med. 1995;113:303–306.

Mori S, Ojima Y, Hirose T, Sasaki T, Hashimoto Y. The clinical effect of proteolytic enzyme containing bromelain and trypsin on urinary tract infection evaluated by double blind method. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Jpn. 1972;19(3):147-153.

Murray MT, Pizzorno JE. Bromelain. In: Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine. Vol 1. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1999:619-622.

Mynott TL, Guandalini S, Raimondi F, Fasano A. Bromelain prevents secretion cased by Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli enterotoxins in rabbit ileum in vitro. Gastroenterol. 1997;113(1):175-184.

Reynolds JEF, ed. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia. 31st ed. London, England: Royal Pharmaceutical Society; 1996:1681.

Rimoldi R, Ginesu F, Giura R. The use of bromelain in pneumological therapy. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1978;4:55-56.

Sanders HJ. Therapy of chlamydia infections with tetracyclines. Int J Exp Clin Chemother. 1990;3(2):101-106.

Schulz V, Hänsel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. New York: Springer; 1998.

Taussig SJ, Batkin S. Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update. J Ethnopharmacol. 1998;22:191–203.

Tinozzi S, Venegoni A. Effect of bromelain on serum and tissue levels of amoxicillin. Drugs Exptl Clin Res. 1978; 4(1):39-44.

Uhlig G, Seifert J. The effect of proteolytic enzymes (traumanase) on posttraumatic edema. Fortschr Med. 1981;99:554–556.

Walker JA, Cerny FJ, Cotter JR, Burton HW. Attentuation of contraction-induced skeletal muscle injury by bromelain. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;24:20–25.


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