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Planta Med 2013; 79(03/04): 207-213
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1328201
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Anti-inflammatory Activity of Bromelia hieronymi: Comparison with Bromelain

María E. Errasti
1   Laboratory of Plant Proteins, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
,
Néstor O. Caffini
1   Laboratory of Plant Proteins, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
,
Lilian E. Pelzer
2   Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, National University of San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
,
Alejandra E. Rotelli
2   Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, National University of San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 31 July 2012
revised 07 January 2013

accepted 09 January 2013

Publication Date:
30 January 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Some plant proteases (e. g., papain, bromelain, ficin) have been used as anti-inflammatory agents for some years, and especially bromelain is still being used as alternative and/or complementary therapy to glucocorticoids, nonsteroidal antirheumatics, and immunomodulators. Bromelain is an extract rich in cysteine endopeptidases obtained from Ananas comosus. In this study the anti-inflammatory action of a partially purified extract of Bromelia hieronymi fruits, whose main components are cysteine endopeptidases, is presented. Different doses of a partially purified extract of B. hieronymi were assayed on carrageenan-induced and serotonine-induced rat paw edema, as well as in cotton pellet granuloma model. Doses with equal proteolytic activity of the partially purified extract and bromelain showed significantly similar anti-inflammatory responses. Treatment of the partially purified extract and bromelain with E-64 provoked loss of anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced paw edema, a fact which is consistent with the hypothesis that the proteolytic activity would be responsible for the anti-inflammatory action.

Key words

Bromelia hieronymi - Bromeliaceae - bromelain - anti-inflammatory - plant proteases
 

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