Papain is a proteolytic enzyme derived from papaya used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Papain, also known as papaya proteinase I, is a cysteine protease (EC 3.4.22.2) enzyme that is found in species of papaya, Carica papaya and Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 3 references
When topically applied, papain induces an allergen-like inflammatory response via recruiting neutrophils, mast cells, and CD3-positive cells and by induction of a TH2-biased antibody response. In vitro, treatment of papain resulted in the breakdown of tight junctions of primary human keratinocytes that maintain the epithelial barrier integrity. These tight junction proteins include zonula occludens-1, claudin-4, and occludin. It is proposed that papain induces allergic responses via activation of TLR4, leading to an increase in neutrophils, CD3+ cells, mast cells, and CCL8-positive cells.
- Primary indication
- No FDA-approved therapeutic indications.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
- First approval
- Canada, 1978
Resolves to
What you can answer from here — as of October 01, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Papain, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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