Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative Review
Bromelain is a complex natural mixture of sulfhydryl-containing proteolytic enzymes that can be extracted from the stem or fruit of the pineapple. This compound is considered a safe nutraceutical, has been used to treat various health problems, and is also popular as a health-promoting dietary suppl...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/3/377 |
| _version_ | 1797241575495958528 |
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| author | Cristian Locci Elena Chicconi Roberto Antonucci |
| author_facet | Cristian Locci Elena Chicconi Roberto Antonucci |
| author_sort | Cristian Locci |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bromelain is a complex natural mixture of sulfhydryl-containing proteolytic enzymes that can be extracted from the stem or fruit of the pineapple. This compound is considered a safe nutraceutical, has been used to treat various health problems, and is also popular as a health-promoting dietary supplement. There is continued interest in bromelain due to its remarkable therapeutic properties. The mechanism of action of bromelain appears to extend beyond its proteolytic activity as a digestive enzyme, encompassing a range of effects (mucolytic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antiedematous effects). Little is known about the clinical use of bromelain in pediatrics, as most of the available data come from <i>in vitro</i> and animal studies, as well as a few RCTs in adults. This narrative review was aimed at highlighting the main aspects of the use of bromelain in children, which still appears to be limited compared to its potential. Relevant articles were identified through searches in MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE. There is no conclusive evidence to support the use of bromelain in children, but the limited literature data suggest that its addition to standard therapy may be beneficial in treating conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, specific dental conditions, and burns. Further studies, including RCTs in pediatric settings, are needed to better elucidate the mechanism of action and properties of bromelain in various therapeutic areas. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:25:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4987edb28e6741a0a2ad2fd446db7b78 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:25:30Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-4987edb28e6741a0a2ad2fd446db7b782024-03-27T13:31:17ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672024-03-0111337710.3390/children11030377Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative ReviewCristian Locci0Elena Chicconi1Roberto Antonucci2Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyBromelain is a complex natural mixture of sulfhydryl-containing proteolytic enzymes that can be extracted from the stem or fruit of the pineapple. This compound is considered a safe nutraceutical, has been used to treat various health problems, and is also popular as a health-promoting dietary supplement. There is continued interest in bromelain due to its remarkable therapeutic properties. The mechanism of action of bromelain appears to extend beyond its proteolytic activity as a digestive enzyme, encompassing a range of effects (mucolytic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antiedematous effects). Little is known about the clinical use of bromelain in pediatrics, as most of the available data come from <i>in vitro</i> and animal studies, as well as a few RCTs in adults. This narrative review was aimed at highlighting the main aspects of the use of bromelain in children, which still appears to be limited compared to its potential. Relevant articles were identified through searches in MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE. There is no conclusive evidence to support the use of bromelain in children, but the limited literature data suggest that its addition to standard therapy may be beneficial in treating conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, specific dental conditions, and burns. Further studies, including RCTs in pediatric settings, are needed to better elucidate the mechanism of action and properties of bromelain in various therapeutic areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/3/377bromelain<i>Ananas comosus</i>pineappletherapeutic effectsbiomarkersdrug response |
| spellingShingle | Cristian Locci Elena Chicconi Roberto Antonucci Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative Review Children bromelain <i>Ananas comosus</i> pineapple therapeutic effects biomarkers drug response |
| title | Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative Review |
| title_full | Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative Review |
| title_short | Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | current uses of bromelain in children a narrative review |
| topic | bromelain <i>Ananas comosus</i> pineapple therapeutic effects biomarkers drug response |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/3/377 |
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