67
to drain out the fluids. It also breaks down dead tissue around an injury and thus aids
in the healing process. This anti-inflammatory property makes the enzyme suitable
for treatment of breast engorgement, reduction in swelling due to sports injuries,
treatment of chronic sinusitis, reduction of post-surgery inflammation, etc. Another
property of serrapeptase is its analgesic effect by inhibiting pain inducing bradykinin like amines in inflamed tissues and its potential in clot lysis (Bhagat et al. 2013).
So far no major side effects have been reported with SP usage. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs) used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
could be very well replaced by serrapeptase (Fig. 2.12).
2.8.2 Superoxide Dismutase
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme which is used for prevention of oxygen
toxicity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is formed from oxygen which causes oxidative stress and cellular damage. ROS can be converted to hydrogen peroxide by
SOD and is essential for protection from damage by oxygen free radicals because of
its antioxidant potential. Most organisms produce SOD. SOD is used therapeutically as a powerful antioxidant and also as an anti-inflammatory agent. SOD has
established its efficacy in the management of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is also effective for elimination of side effects
associated with chemo- and radiation therapy (Flohe 1988). SOD is commercially
available as Orgotein (bovine CuZnSOD). However, immune response associated
with orgotein has pushed it back from the market. SODm or superoxide dismutase
mimics are currently under development which are similar to endogenous SOD
while they are a synthetic small molecule (Fig. 2.13).
2.8.3 Adenosine Deaminase
Severe combined immunodeficiency disorders (SCID) are due to deficiency in lymphocyte functions (T, B and NK lymphocytes). Adenosine deaminase deficiency is
one of the major reasons for SCID. It is an enzyme which breaks down adenosine
and deoxyadenosine into inosine and deoxyinosine respectively. Accumulation of
nucleotides and other metabolites blocks lymphocyte maturation. This makes SCID
patients susceptible to infections due to lack of defence mechanisms. Enzyme
replacement therapy with adenosine deaminase is one of the major ways to manage
the disease and therapeutic application began in 1986. Bovine adenosine deaminase
with polyethylene glycol (PEG) is commercially available as Adagen
®
(pegadamase
bovine) and was one of the first to receive approval by the FDA in 1990 under the
Orphan Drug Act (Fig. 2.14).
2 Therapeutic Enzymes
to drain out the fluids. It also breaks down dead tissue around an injury and thus aids
in the healing process. This anti-inflammatory property makes the enzyme suitable
for treatment of breast engorgement, reduction in swelling due to sports injuries,
treatment of chronic sinusitis, reduction of post-surgery inflammation, etc. Another
property of serrapeptase is its analgesic effect by inhibiting pain inducing bradykinin like amines in inflamed tissues and its potential in clot lysis (Bhagat et al. 2013).
So far no major side effects have been reported with SP usage. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs) used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
could be very well replaced by serrapeptase (Fig. 2.12).
2.8.2 Superoxide Dismutase
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme which is used for prevention of oxygen
toxicity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is formed from oxygen which causes oxidative stress and cellular damage. ROS can be converted to hydrogen peroxide by
SOD and is essential for protection from damage by oxygen free radicals because of
its antioxidant potential. Most organisms produce SOD. SOD is used therapeutically as a powerful antioxidant and also as an anti-inflammatory agent. SOD has
established its efficacy in the management of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is also effective for elimination of side effects
associated with chemo- and radiation therapy (Flohe 1988). SOD is commercially
available as Orgotein (bovine CuZnSOD). However, immune response associated
with orgotein has pushed it back from the market. SODm or superoxide dismutase
mimics are currently under development which are similar to endogenous SOD
while they are a synthetic small molecule (Fig. 2.13).
2.8.3 Adenosine Deaminase
Severe combined immunodeficiency disorders (SCID) are due to deficiency in lymphocyte functions (T, B and NK lymphocytes). Adenosine deaminase deficiency is
one of the major reasons for SCID. It is an enzyme which breaks down adenosine
and deoxyadenosine into inosine and deoxyinosine respectively. Accumulation of
nucleotides and other metabolites blocks lymphocyte maturation. This makes SCID
patients susceptible to infections due to lack of defence mechanisms. Enzyme
replacement therapy with adenosine deaminase is one of the major ways to manage
the disease and therapeutic application began in 1986. Bovine adenosine deaminase
with polyethylene glycol (PEG) is commercially available as Adagen
®
(pegadamase
bovine) and was one of the first to receive approval by the FDA in 1990 under the
Orphan Drug Act (Fig. 2.14).
2 Therapeutic Enzymes