Authors : Marulip Andjaitan, Tutunnugraha , Kezia Hendardi Pamudja, Firmanp Idris, Meliana Tjandra and Tiffany Wiriantono
Abstract: The objective of this research was to investigate the potential use of bromelain enzyme, a proteolytic enzyme contained in the flesh and stem of a pineapple fruit, as antiviral agent against HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that causes AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer. Theinvestigation include in vitro studies to see the interactions of the enzyme and the viruses. Blood samples containing HIV, HCV and HPV Virus were contacted with solutions that contained bromelain enzyme. Effects to the virus were tested using several methods including test strip methods, DNA concentrations in the solutions as the viral envelop was damaged, as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique. Additionally, a cooperativework was done with a clinic in the Northern part of Jakarta and with a low priority correctional facility in Bogor (West Java) that were coping with patients with HIV/AIDS. In this resaech, the patients were provided with 2 glasses of fresh pineapple juice every day. The changes in CD4+ and blood HIV viral loadwere followed during these trials.The outcomes have shown that bromelain enzyme have the potential to be utilized as antiviral agent. The resaerch relied on the possibility that bromelain enzyme could cause some damages on viral envelopes that has protein as one of its structural component. As this viral envelope was damaged buy the proteolytic acitivies, the virus had either lost its capability to reproduce or was destroyed altogether, since, the viral outer layer was damaged. These positive effects of bromelain activities towards these viruses have been shown in-vitro in our lab. Bromelain enzyme originating from the flesh and the stem of pineapple fruit has been shown to have the potential to be utilized as antiviral agent againstviral borne diseases which include HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and HPV that could cause cervical cancer. The enzyme utilized in the treatment of the patients can be relatively easily obtained by extracting the juice of pineapple fruit or by directly consuming the juice as has been described in this.
Marulip Andjaitan, Tutunnugraha , Kezia Hendardi Pamudja, Firmanp Idris, Meliana Tjandra and Tiffany Wiriantono, 2018. Bromelain Enzyme from Pineapple Fruit as an Antiviral Agent Against HIV, Hepatitis C and Human Papiloma Virus. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 13: 3125-3130.