Papain for Anti-Inflammatory

Research suggests that papain, a proteolytic enzyme derived from papaya, may possess anti-inflammatory properties, with the most directly relevant evidence coming from a 2024 animal and cell culture study showing that oral papain supplementation reduced eczema-like skin inflammation in mice by inhibiting MAPK and STAT signaling pathways and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity. A 2025 review of enzyme-based therapies also supports the broader plausibility of papain-class enzymes as anti-inflammatory agents, noting that protease enzymes can work by neutralizing reactive oxygen species, breaking down inflammatory signaling molecules, and supporting tissue repair. Studies indicate that much of the available evidence is preclinical in nature, relying on animal models and laboratory cell experiments rather than human clinical trials, and several linked studies addressing related enzymes or compounds were not directly focused on papain itself. The overall body of evidence is preliminary and limited in scope, and while the mechanistic rationale is scientifically grounded, more rigorous human studies would be needed to draw firm conclusions about papain's anti-inflammatory effects in people.