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Trypsin

Trypsin is an enzyme. An enzyme is a protein that accelerates certain biochemical reactions. Trypsin is found in the small intestine. It can be produced from fungi, plants and bacteria. However, trypsin used for commercial purposes is usually produced from the pancreas of slaughtered animals. Trypsin is administered to people who lack the enzymes needed for digestion. It is also used in combination with bromelain and rutin to treat osteoarthritis. Some people apply trypsin directly to wounds and ulcers to remove dead tissue and improve healing. There is also a combination product in the form of a spray that is used to treat mouth ulcers. This spray contains trypsin, Peru Balsam and castor oil.

How does trypsin work?

Trypsin removes dead skin cells and dead tissue and allows healthy tissue to grow.

How effective is Trypsin?

Trypsin is potentially effective in the following applications:

  • Osteoarthritis: a combination product containing trypsin, bromelain and rutin (Phlogenzym) appears to work as well as the drug diclofenac when used to relieve pain and improve knee function.
  • Wound cleansing and healing: Applying trypsin to the skin appears to help remove dead tissue from injuries and improve wound healing. A combination product in the form of a spray containing trypsin, Peru Balsam and castor oil is an approved medicine.

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of trypsin when used to improve digestion. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of trypsin for this type of use.

Safety and side effects

Trypsin appears to be safe and harmless when used by a physician to cleanse wounds and aid in wound healing. However, it can cause side effects such as pain and a burning sensation.

Not enough is known about the safety and harmlessness of using trypsin in other applications.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of Trypsin during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Trypsin.

Interactions

At the present time there is no information on interactions of Trypsin with medications or supplements.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Oral

  • For osteoarthritis: Two tablets of a combination product (Phlogenzym) containing 100 mg rutin, 48 mg trypsin and 90 mg bromelain, three times daily.

Applied to the skin

  • To support wound healing: Certain products containing trypsin, Peru Balsam and castor oil are approved as medicines.

References

  1. Hellgren L, Vincent J. Degradation and liquefication effect of streptokinase-streptodornase and stabilized trypsin on tissue necroses, crusts of fibrinoid, purulent exudate and clotted blood from leg ulcers. J Int Med Res 1977;5:334-7. view abstract.
  2. Klein G, Kullich W. Short-term treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the knee with oral enzymes. Clin Drug Invest 2000;19:15-23.
  3. Latha B, Ramakrishnan M, Jayaraman V, Babu M. Serum enzymatic changes modulated using trypsin: chymotrypsin preparation during burn wounds in humans. Burns 1997;23:560-4. view abstract.
  4. Latha B, Ramakrishnan M, Jayaraman V, Babu M. The efficacy of trypsin: chymotrypsin preparation in the reduction of oxidative damage during burn injury. Burns 1998;24:532-8. view abstract.
  5. Spraycar M, ed. Stedman's Medical Dictionary. 26th ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1995.
  6. Suomalainen O. Evaluation of two enzyme preparations-Trypure and Varidase in traumatic ulcers. Ann Chir Gynaecol 1983;72:62-5. view abstract.