Benefits of Enzymes Tablets
Key Findings
A combination of bromelain, papain, and ficin (mixed fruit enzymes) has been shown to be effective in reducing vitreous opacities, with disappearance rates of 55% to 70% for spontaneous opacities and 18% to 56% for vitreous hemorrhage-induced opacities, in a dose-dependent manner [1] [2].
Oral enzyme preparations containing bacterial proteases, papain, bromelain, vitamin C, and rutin significantly reduced edema by 17.8% in patients with closed fracture lower end radius, compared to 8.22% with diclofenac, and were associated with fewer side effects [3].
Bromelain and papain exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, with potential benefits in conditions such as chronic venous disease, intestinal inflammation, and atherosclerosis [4] [5] [6] [7].
Introduction
This report discusses the potential health benefits of a supplement containing papain (125mg), bromelain (75mg), vitamin C (20mg), and citrus bioflavonoids (10mg). These ingredients, particularly the enzymes bromelain and papain, along with the antioxidant vitamin C, have been studied for their various therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and proteolytic activities.
Main Text
Effects on Pain, Inflammation, and Edema
A comparative study involving 50 patients with closed fracture lower end radius found that an oral preparation containing bacterial proteases, papain, bromelain, vitamin C, and rutin significantly reduced edema, with a mean percentage reduction of 17.8%, compared to 8.22% in the diclofenac group [3]. While diclofenac was more effective in reducing pain, the enzyme combination was safer, with no reported side effects compared to 5 out of 25 patients experiencing gastritis in the diclofenac group [3]. Bromelain, a key component, is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties, which contribute to reducing pain and promoting the reabsorption of edema fluid [8] [7]. In a study on male rats, bromelain and papain effectively decreased symptoms of intestinal inflammation and modulated biomarkers of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, with bromelain showing a more potent protective effect [5].
Ocular and Circulatory Health
Oral supplementation with mixed fruit enzymes (MFEs), including bromelain, papain, and ficin, was investigated in a double-blind clinical trial involving 224 patients with symptomatic vitreous opacities (SVOs) [1]. The study reported a dose-dependent disappearance rate of SVOs, ranging from 55% to 70% for spontaneous opacities and 18% to 56% for vitreous hemorrhage-induced floaters after 3 months, with high patient satisfaction and improved corrected distance visual acuity in the latter group [1]. Another study with 280 patients confirmed these findings, showing disappearance rates of SVOs from 65.5% to 75.5% with increasing doses of the enzyme mixture [2]. For chronic venous disease (CVD), a systematic review indicated that dietary supplements containing bromelain and vitamin C, often combined with other nutritional supplements, may improve CVD-related symptoms and edema, with no major safety issues reported [4]. Bromelain has also been shown to ameliorate atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice by reducing hyperlipidemia, aortic inflammation, and oxidative stress through the activation of AMPK/TFEB-mediated autophagy and antioxidant pathways [6].
Other Potential Benefits
Bromelain and papain have demonstrated anticancer properties in human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, inhibiting proliferation, invasion, and migration, and inducing apoptosis, with bromelain generally showing more effective inhibition [9] [10]. These enzymes also have potential applications in dentistry for tooth whitening and chemo-mechanical caries removal due to their ability to degrade salivary proteins [11]. Furthermore, a herbal preparation including bromelain, papain, curcuma, and black pepper enhanced mineralization and reduced glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in zebrafish, suggesting a potential integrative antioxidant therapy for bone-loss diseases [12].
Summary
Supplements containing papain, bromelain, vitamin C, and citrus bioflavonoids offer a range of potential health benefits. Key findings indicate that such combinations can effectively reduce edema and inflammation, as observed in a study where an enzyme blend reduced edema by 17.8% in fracture patients [3]. They also show promise in treating ocular conditions, with mixed fruit enzymes leading to a 55-70% disappearance rate of spontaneous vitreous opacities [1]. The individual components contribute to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and proteolytic effects, which may support cardiovascular health, intestinal integrity, and even exhibit anticancer properties.
References:
1) JW Ma et al. A New Pharmacological Vitreolysis through the Supplement of Mixed Fruit Enzymes for Patients with Ocular Floaters or Vitreous Hemorrhage-Induced Floaters. Journal of clinical medicine (2022). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36431188/
2) Masaru Takeuchi et al. Treatment of Symptomatic Vitreous Opacities with Pharmacologic Vitreolysis Using a Mixure of Bromelain, Papain and Ficin Supplement. Applied Sciences (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/app10175901/
3) Tejas Acharya et al. A comparative study of effect on reducing pain, inflammation and side effect of combination of enzymes (bacterial proteases, papain, bromelain, vitamin C and rutin) versus conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac) in patients of closed fracture lower end radius coming at orthopaedic department of a tertiary care hospital. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology (2016). https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20161562/
4) G Buso et al. The role of Bromelain and Liposomal Vitamin C in the treatment of chronic venous disease. VASA. Zeitschrift fur Gefasskrankheiten (2025). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39967325/
5) JY Madkhali et al. Therapeutic effect of bromelain and papain on intestinal injury induced by indomethacin in male rats. International journal of health sciences (2023). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37692988/
6) CH Chen et al. Bromelain Ameliorates Atherosclerosis by Activating the TFEB-Mediated Autophagy and Antioxidant Pathways. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (2023). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36670934/
7) A. Flores et al. La bromelina y su aplicación terapéutica antiinflamatoria en humanos: una revisión de alcance. Nutrición clínica y dietética hospitalaria/Nutrición clínica, dietética hospitalaria (2023). https://doi.org/10.12873/432martinez/
8) R Pezzani et al. Anticancer properties of bromelain: State-of-the-art and recent trends. Frontiers in oncology (2023). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36698404/
9) A Müller et al. Comparative study of antitumor effects of bromelain and papain in human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. International journal of oncology (2016). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26935541/
10) X Li et al. Fluorescence spectroscopic analysis of the interaction of papain and bromelain with l-ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, β-carotene and astaxanthin. International journal of biological macromolecules (2017). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28887189/
11) S Cuc et al. Effects of Bromelain and Papain in Tooth Whitening and Caries Removal: A Literature Review. Dentistry journal (2025). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40136760/
12) M Carnovali et al. Herbal Preparation (Bromelain, Papain, Curcuma, Black Pepper) Enhances Mineralization and Reduces Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in Zebrafish. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34943090/