Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks the lining of the joints, leading to inflammation, pain and stiffness. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the feet, ankles, elbows, wrists, fingers and knees are most commonly affected. There is no cure for this condition, but some drugs can help to slow progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Some complementary medicines, including bromelain, may help to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms, but talk to your doctor to ensure safety.
Properties and Dosage
Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme found in pineapple juice and in the stem of the plant. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may also aid wound healing. Bromelain is used to treat a number of ailments, including edema, burns and arthritis. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, it may help to alleviate inflammation by decreasing the secretion of the pro-inflammatory chemicals chemokine and cytokine. UMMC suggests taking 500 mg to 2,000 mg three times daily to reduce pain and inflammation.
Preclinical Research
Research into the effect of bromelain on rheumatoid arthritis is limited, but most studies have been carried out in animal models or in the laboratory. The results of an early laboratory study carried out on human blood serum, published in the July 2001 issue of "Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology," show that bromelain reduced the production of TGF-beta, known as transforming growth factor-beta, the overproduction of which may be associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis. However, bromelain was combined with trypsin, chymotrypsin and papain, so it is difficult to know whether it would have the same effect if used alone.
Clinical Research
Clinical research into the role of bromelain in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is lacking. However, the results of a clinical study published in the December 2002 issue of "Phytomedicine" show that bromelain improved physical symptoms and improved general well-being in patients suffering from acute knee pain, who were otherwise healthy, in a dose-dependent manner. The authors, A.F. Walker et al., add that double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm these results.
Considerations
Don't use bromelain to treat rheumatoid arthritis without first talking to a doctor, as it may not be a suitable complementary medicine for you. For example, you should not use bromelain if you are allergic to pineapples or certain other plants, such as daisies. Avoid bromelain if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. RxList notes that is safe for most people, but adds that side effects may include diarrhea and stomach discomfort.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Bromelain
- "Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology"; Oral Therapy With Proteolytic Enzymes Decreases Excessive TGF-Beta Levels in Human Blood; L. Desser, et al.; July 2001
- "Phytomedicine"; Bromelain Reduces Mild Acute Knee Pain and Improves Well-Being in a Dose-Dependent Fashion in an Open Study of Otherwise Healthy Adults; A.F. Walker, et al., December 2002
- RxList: Bromelain
