[Anti-inflammatory actions of proteases, bromelain, trypsin and their mixed preparation (author's transl)]

Anti-inflammatory actions of proteases, bromelain (BR), trypsin (TR) and their mixed preparation (KT) were studied mainly in rabbits using various experimental test methods. Inhibitory action of edema formation induced by carrageenin was observed to be dose dependent with oral administrations of KT. This inhibitory action of KT was more remarkable than actions of BR and TR, suggesting a possible synergism between the latter two. Such action was also observed with non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs, phenylbutazone (PB), indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid. Oral administration of KT exerted definite inhibition or a tendency toward inhibition against paw edema induced by dextran, histamine or egg albumin or skin edema induced by anti-rabbit serum and thermal stimulation. Furthermore, inhibition of vascular permeability increase induced by histamine and bradykinin as well as a tendency toward inhibition against protein exudation in CMC-pouch method were observed. On the other hand, contrary to PB, potent inhibitory action was not manifested in the persistent proliferative inflammation models, the granuloma formation induced formalin soaked filter paper and cotton pellet and the mustard edema. Therefore, it can be deduced that the inhibitory action of KT against edema formation may be dependent mainly on the inhibitory action of vascular permeability increase and the anti-inflammatory action may be specific for acute exudative inflammation.