Medicinal Uses of the Enzymes Bromelin, Sutilains and L-Asparginase

Significance of the Enzyme Bromelain (Bromelin)

Bromelain is a mixture of the proteolytic enzymes obtained from the stem and ripen fruits of pineapple plant Ananas comosus, belonging to the family Bromeliaceae.It is available as a slightly putrid buff coloured powder with irritating taste and no odour. It is slightly soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents like chloroform, alcohol and ether.

English: Pineapple on its plant, Costa Rica Deutsch: Ananas auf ihrer Pflanze, Costa Rica (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Uses: It is used for treating inflammation of soft tissues and oedema due to surgery and injuries.

Medicinal Uses of the Enzyme Sutilains

Sutilains consists of proteolytic enzymes which are derived from Bacillus subtilis. It is available as a cream coloured odourless powder.Each gram of sutilains contain 2,50,000 N.F. casein units of proteolytic activity.

Deutsch: *Mikroskopaufnahme von Bacillus subtilis aus Flüssigkultur (Phasenkontrast, 1000fach) Fotographiert von Benutzer:Kookaburra (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is useful for biochemical debridement of second and third degree burns, incisional traumatic and pyrogenic wounds and ulcers which occur due to peripheral vascular tissues. It is used in the form of ointment.

Significance of the Enzyme L-Asparginase

The enzyme L-Asparginase is obtained from the bacteria Escherichia coli. It also contains the asparginase without the antileukemic activity. This asparginase is removed during the purification of the enzyme. The enzyme is also obtained from plant and animal tissues, fungi and yeast in pure form. This enzyme catalyses the hydrolysis of L-aspargine to L-aspartate and ammonia.

Escherichia coli – Scanning Electron Microscopy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is present as white and crystalline powder. It is soluble in water. Each mg of L-asparginase contains 250 units. L-asparginase interferes with the growth of malignant cells, which do not have the capacity of synthesizing L-aspargine for their metabolism. Thus this enzyme is used in chemotherapy of acute lymphocytic leukemia in sequential combination with other drugs. It is also used for induction of remission in children with relapse of acute lymphocytic lymphoma. It also shows immuno suppressant activity.