Pineapple

Scientific Name(s): Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.
Common Name(s): Bromelain, Debridase, Phlogenzym, Pineapple

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 23, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Few well-controlled clinical trials have been published to support the wide range of therapeutic claims for bromelain, a crude, aqueous extract of pineapple. Evidence exists primarily for the use of bromelain in debridement of burns and as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Dosing

Two slices of pineapple contain approximately 100 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The usual dosage of bromelain is 40 mg taken 3 or 4 times daily. Pineapple products are available commercially in liquid, tablet, and capsule doseforms. Most products contain bromelain 500 mg; manufacturers suggest a dose of 500 to 1,000 mg daily.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any of the components in pineapple. Cross-reaction with honeybee venom, olive tree pollen, celery, cypress pollen, bromelain, and papain have been reported.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Data is lacking to support the historical use of pineapple as an emmenagogue and abortifacient.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

The juice from unripe pineapples can act as a violent purgative. Bromelain ingestion is associated with a low incidence of adverse reactions, including diarrhea, menorrhagia, nausea, skin rash, and vomiting. Angular stomatitis/cheilitis can result from eating large amounts of the fruit.

Toxicology

Bromelain has very low toxicity.

Scientific Family

• Bromeliaceae

Botany

The well-known pineapple fruit is actually a complex flower head that forms around the stem. Each of the eyes on the surface is the dried base of a small flower. The pineapple is the only cultivated fruit whose main stem runs completely through it.1, 2 The top crown of leaves contains a bud that, when mature, indicates that the fruit is ready for cutting. The crowns from the top of the fruit are usually used for propagation because pineapples lack viable seeds; occasionally, slips from the base of the fruit or suckers are used if planting material is in short supply.3 The plant grows to a height of 1 m; the first crop is ready for harvesting approximately 18 months after planting. Because the plant is xerophytic and uses water very efficiently, pineapple may be grown in areas of relatively low rainfall (50 to 200 cm).3

History

Pineapple is native to South America and was brought to Europe by Spanish explorers. Planting began on a large scale in Hawaii in the early 19th century. Growth of the industry peaked in the 1950s, then declined slowly under the pressure of international competition.3 Today, the bulk of the world's pineapple crop comes from Thailand, the Philippines, and Brazil. Traditional uses include the brewing of pineapple wine, production of fiber, and medicinal use as an emmenagogue, abortifacient, antiamebic, and vermifuge.

Chemistry

Pineapple is rich in citric and malic acids; citric acid concentrations in some cultivars exceed 8%.4 The fruit also contains moderate amounts of ascorbic acid; 2 slices of pineapple contain 100 mg of ascorbic acid.5 A steroidal component of the leaves possesses estrogenic activity4 and a variety of aromatic compounds are found in the essential oil. The residue left after juice extraction contains large quantities ...