Ananain and Comosain

Description:Both Ananain and Comosain are proteinase enzymes, which is to say that they break down proteins. Ananain and Comosain are different from the herbal mixture called "Stem Bromelain" which is a well-known extract of Pineapple stem. They can both be extracted from the Stem Bromelain mixture, but not from Fruit Bromelain.

Botanical Classification and Distribution of the Plant Source:

• Family: Bromelaciae
• Genus: Ananas
• Species: Comosus
• Name: Ananas Comosus (Pineapple)
• Classified by: (Linnaeus) Merrill
• Distribution: originated in the tropical Americas; now in Hawaii, S.E. Asia and tropical locations. Thailand is a major producer.

Properties of Ananain and Comosain:

• interference with growth of cancer cells;
  A lead researcher has stated: "In searching for these components, we discovered the CCS and CCZ proteins and found that they could block growth of a broad range of tumour cells, including breast, lung, colon, ovarian and melanoma." These statements are based on laboratory studies and early small-scale clinical trials. (Source: BBC: "Pineapple stem may combat cancer", 22 July 2005.)
• immunosuppressant;
• anti-inflammatory action;
• proteinase activity;
• inhibition of platelet aggregation (thins blood);
• fibrinolytic activity (breaks down blood clots);
• debriding agent: removes damaged tissue.

Scientific Data on Ananain and Comosain:

• Type: cysteine proteinase. (Proteases are enzymes that degrade small digestible food items.)
• Differs from Bromelain immunologically and also by inhibition by chicken cystatin.

Historical Uses of Pineapple and its Products:

• used to treat scurvy in sailors because it contains Vitamin C;
• used as a poultice and anti-inflammatory on external wounds by South American Indians;
• as an anti-swelling agent (reduces the swelling of an edema by dissolving clots and reducing inflammation);
• as a debriding agent to remove burnt skin;
• used to treat constipation, as are many other fruit;
• the fruit and juice have been used to improve digestion;
• to tenderise meat (contains a proteolytic enzyme called Bromelain).

Side Effects of Pineapple Stem Products:

• may result in excessive bleeding if taken internally with other blood thinners;
• harmful if accidently rubbed into eyes;
• harmful to skin if left on too long.

Quotations from Research Articles and Patents on Ananain and Comosain

Article 1: Ananain, Comosain and Cancer
"The invention relates to a component of bromelain which is largely responsible for the ability of bromelain to interrupt the MAP kinase cascade. The component contains ananain and comosain and is useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases and conditions mediated by T cell activation of by activation of the MAP kinase pathway ... The present invention relates to a component of bromelain. In particular, the invention relates to the use of this bromelain component in medicine, particularly as an anti-cancer agent and an immunosuppressive agent." The components target the following cancers: leukemia, ovarian, colon, breast cancer, lung cancer or melanoma.
Source: European Patent (EP1908823) Published 4/9/2008.
Author: Mynott TL, Engwerda C, Peek KC.

Article 2: Stem Bromelain and Brain Cancer (Glioma)
"Bromelain is an aqueous extract from pineapple stem that contains proteinases and exhibits pleiotropic therapeutic effects, i.e., antiedematous, antiinflammatory, antimetastatic, antithrombotic, and fibrinolytic activities. In this study, we tested bromelain's effects on glioma cells to assess whether bromelain could be a potential contributor to new antiinvasive strategies for gliomas. Several complementary assays demonstrated that bromelain significantly and reversibly reduced glioma cell adhesion, migration, and invasion ..."
Source: Neoplasia. 2001 Nov-Dec;3(6):469-79.
Title: Bromelain reversibly inhibits invasive properties of glioma cells.
Author: Tysnes BB, Maurer HR, Porwol T, Probst B, Bjerkvig R, Hoover F. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen N-5009, Norway.

Natural substances for health:

Natural-energy technology for living: