Chymopapain
Chymopapain Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
Chymopapain was first isolated in 1941 from the crude latex derived from the fruit of Carica papaya by squeezing the green papaya while on the plant prior to harvest.It is an extracellular plant cysteine proteinase similar to papain in specificity. Chymopapain was developed by Chart Medcl and FDA approved on November 10, 1982. It is currently discontinued.
The first studies showed that after intradiscal injection of chymopapain the effect involved the removal of the nucleus pulposus leaving the annulus intact. The clinical reports indicated a spontaneous remission of symptoms after the administration of chymopapain. It is also highly documented an increased urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans.
| Trade Name | Chymopapain |
| Availability | Discontinued |
| Generic | Chymopapain |
| Chymopapain Other Names | Chymopapain |
| Type | Injection |
| Weight | 27000.0 Da |
| Groups | Approved, Withdrawn |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | United States |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Chymopapain is indicated for the development of chemonucleolysis which is used for the digestion of the nucleus pulposus in patients with disc herniation confirmed by myelography. A disc herniation occurs when the outer portion of the spinal disc breaks down and the inner portion (nucleus pulposus) leaks out pressing surrounding nerves and leading to irradiating pain. The chemonucleolysis is a non-surgical treatment that involves the injection of an enzyme to dissolve the nucleus pulposus.
How Chymopapain works
Chymopapain is thought to degrade proteoglycan content of the intervertebral disc causing loss of glycosaminoglycan and water. This effect will cause the shrinkage of the disc and a reduction of the pressure on the nerve root.
Toxicity
The median lethal dose of chymopapain in mice is registered to be 82 mg/kg and the toxicity mechanism was caused by hemorrhage due to the destruction of the cement substance in the blood vessels. When administered in an overdosage, chymopapain was able to nearly completely dissolve the nucleus pulposus and cause the disruption of the annulus fibrosus.
Half Life
Following intra-discal injection, the level of chymopapain decreases gradually and presents a half-life of 2-3 days. The half-life for urinary excretion is reported to be of about 3 days.
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