Bromelin as part of combination natural therapy for osteoarthritis:
A double-blind, randomized study by Klein G et al evaluated a bromelain, trypsin, and rutoside combination painful osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip were randomly assigned to receive an oral enzyme treatment (Phlogenzym [PE]) or an NSAID (diclofenac [DC], 50 mg twice daily) for 6 weeks. Phlogenzym contains 90 mg of bromelain, 48 mg of trypsin, and 100 mg of rutosid per tablet, 2 tablets were taken 3 times daily. A similar supplement named Revozyme Forte is also available (containing 96 mg trypsin, 180 mg bromelain, 200 mg rutoside trihydrate). After 6 weeks, both groups experience improvements in pain (PE, -10.3 vs DC, -0.5) joint stiffness (PE, -3.9 vs DC, -3.6), physical functioning (PE, -31.7 vs DC, -29.7) and severity of OA (measured using Lequesne\’s index, PE, -2.89 vs DC, -2,27). The results of the study suggest that Phlogenzym in people with OA was not inferior to diclofenac. (2)
