Bromelain: Pineapple’s One-of-a-Kind Anti-Cancer Agent

Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain, which is found primarily in the fruit’s stem, core, and leaves. It is a powerful protein-digesting enzyme responsible for the tingling sensation in the mouth after eating the fruit. Since its discovery, bromelain has received significant attention in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and textile industries. It is also becoming increasingly popular in culinary science as a natural meat tenderiser.

In alternative medicine, bromelain has been shown to possess anti-arthritic, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oedema properties. It has been used in the treatment of wounds, surgical debridement, trauma-related pain, burns, and other conditions.

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Anti-Cancer Properties of Bromelain

Bromelain has also been tested against several cancer cell lines for its anticancer properties.

Breast Cancer

A 2020 study found that bromelain is toxic to MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma cells, preventing their reproduction and spread. Several other research groups have confirmed this effect in other breast cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, GI-101A, and 4T1 breast adenocarcinoma cells. Bromelain was reported to reduce cancer cell viability, promote cancer cell death, and reduce tumour mass.

Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)

Studies have shown that hepatocellular carcinoma cells treated with bromelain exhibit a significant decrease in viability, making it difficult for the cells to survive and function properly. For instance, a 2021 study published in Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology reported that 100 µg/mL of bromelain reduced the viability of liver cancer cells by approximately 60% after 4 hours and by more than 80% after 72 hours.

Colorectal Cancer

Bromelain has been reported to increase autophagy in different colorectal cancer cell lines. Autophagy is the process by which a cell digests its own components, which can ultimately result in cell death. The study also found that bromelain was highly toxic to cancer cells, although the effective doses varied among cell lines. A PLoS ONE study reported that 50–70 μg/mL of bromelain induced autophagy in 50% of HCT116, HT-29, and DLD-1 colorectal cancer cells.

Leukemia

A study showed that bromelain triggered apoptosis in K562 chronic myelogenous leukaemia cells. Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death in which old or damaged cells shrink, fragment their DNA, and package themselves into small membrane-bound bodies that are subsequently cleared by the immune system. Excessive apoptosis can contribute to tissue degeneration and diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, while insufficient apoptosis can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer development.

Pineapples are not only delicious and versatile, but their bromelain content may also help protect the body against various health conditions, including cancer. However, it is important to note that consuming fresh pineapple alone may not provide a sufficiently high dose of bromelain for therapeutic purposes. Consult your physician or nutritionist to explore standardised bromelain supplements or capsules if you are considering its use for specific health goals.

Sources

Pineapple bromelain induces autophagy, facilitating apoptotic response in mammary carcinoma cells. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20848558/ 

Bromelain-Induced Apoptosis in GI-101A Breast Cancer Cells. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jmf.2011.0145

Bromelain Enhances the Anti-tumor Effects of Cisplatin on 4T1 Breast Tumor Model In Vivo. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31752555/ 

Cytotoxic Effect of Bromelain on HepG2 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33735410/

Bromelain inhibits the ability of colorectal cancer cells to proliferate via activation of ROS production and autophagy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30657763/

Bromelain with peroxidase from pineapple are more potent to target leukemia growth inhibition - A comparison with only bromelain. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30453006/