Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis a Review of Clinical Studies英文文献资料.docVIP

Advance Access Publication 6 October 2004 eCAM 2004;1(3)251–257 doi:10.1093/ecam/neh035 Review Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: a Review of Clinical Studies Sarah Brien , George Lewith , Ann Walker , Stephen M. Hicks and Dick Middleton 1 1 2 2 3 1 2 3 University of Southampton, Southampton, University of Reading, Reading and Medic Herb UK Ltd, UK Bromelain, an extract from the pineapple plant, has been demonstrated to show anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and may provide a safer alternative or adjunctive treatment for osteoarthritis. All previous trials, which have been uncontrolled or comparative studies, indicate its potential use for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This paper reviews the mechanism of its putative therapeutic actions, those clinical trials that have assessed its use in osteoarthritis to date, as well as considering the safety impli- cations of this supplement for osteoarthritis and reviewing the evidence to date regarding the dosage for treating this condition. The data available at present indicate the need for trials to establish the efficacy and optimum dosage for bromelain and the need for adequate prospective adverse event monitoring in such chronic conditions as osteoarthritis. Keywords: bromelain – herbal – osteoarthritis – proteolytic enzymes – review Introduction conventional medical treatment is aimed at decreasing pain and improving function by the use of NSAIDs, other analgesics, In recent years, a number of clinical studies have appeared to substantiate one of the traditional therapeutic uses of extracts of bromelain, namely, in