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Papain is a sulfhydryl protease enzyme derived from the fruit of papaya trees (Carica papaya). Papain is one of the most stable plant enzymes and is active in a wide pH range (3-11). Papain is used in a wide variety of enzymatic formulations, and as a digestive aid is sometimes called "vegetable pepsin".
There are many topical uses for papain (wound debridement, face creams etc), although severe irritation to the skin is not uncommon. Papain's protease activity is also used to tenderize meat.
Among its many reported biologic activities, papain has been shown to be anti-inflammatory and antiedemic. It has been used for such conditions as sores, ulcers, chronic diarrhea, tumors, hay fever, and psoriasis. It is most often used as a digestive aid. As any enzyme, papain is often expressed in units of activity. Common unit types include: FCC or N.F. units, milk-clotting units (MCU), gelatin-digestion units (GDU) or casein digestion units (CDU). Papain is listed in both the N.F. and U.S.P.
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GLOSSARY
Anti-inflammatory (Antiinflammatory)
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Diarrhea
Excessive discharge of contents of bowel.
Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
MCU
Milk Clotting Unit. A dosage measurement of enzyme activity. Potencies of bromelain are based on GDUs or MCUs. One MCU equals .66 GDU.
Papain
The protein-digesting enzyme derived from papaya.
pH
A measure of an environment's acidity or alkalinity. The more acidic the solution, the lower the pH. For example, a pH of 1 is very acidic; a pH of 7 is neutral; a pH of 14 is very alkaline.
Protease
A protein-digesting enzyme.
Topical
Most commonly 'topical application': Administration to the skin.
Tumor (Tumors, Tumour, Tumours)
An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function; a neoplasm. Literally, a swelling; in the past the term has been used in reference to any swelling of the body, no matter what the cause. However, the word is now being used almost exclusively to refer to a neoplastic mass, and the more general usage is being discarded.
Ulcer (Ulceration, Ulcers)
Lesion on the skin or mucous membrane.
Last updated: Mar 16, 2010
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