Evidence supporting the use of: Proteolytic enzyme (unspecified)
For the health condition: Abscesses

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Proteolytic enzymes, such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and serratiopeptidase, have been studied for their potential adjunctive use in the treatment of abscesses and other localized infections. The primary rationale is their ability to break down proteins, which may help liquefy pus and necrotic tissue, thereby facilitating drainage and resolution of the abscess. Some clinical studies and case reports, mostly from the mid-20th century, have reported benefits of proteolytic enzymes as adjuncts to antibiotics in the management of abscesses, suggesting reduced inflammation, pain, and accelerated healing. For example, a few small trials from the 1960s and 1970s demonstrated that the addition of enzymes like trypsin or chymotrypsin could enhance antibiotic penetration and reduce edema in soft tissue infections, including abscesses. However, these studies often suffered from small sample sizes, lack of rigorous controls, and inconsistent outcome measures.

Modern clinical guidelines do not routinely recommend proteolytic enzymes for abscess management, with incision and drainage and appropriate antimicrobial therapy remaining the gold standard. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are lacking, and newer, high-quality randomized controlled trials are minimal. Therefore, while there is some scientific rationale and limited supporting evidence for their adjunctive use, the overall strength of the evidence is low, and the practice is not widely endorsed today.

More about Proteolytic enzyme (unspecified)
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Other ingredients used for Abscesses

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Aloe vera
bayberry
berberine
bergamot
black walnut
bromelain
burdock
chamomile
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
echinacea purpurea
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
green tea
lavender
licorice root
magnesium
oregano
plantain
protein
scrophularia root
trypsin
vitamin C
bentonite
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
shen-chu
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
punarnava
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
privet
boxthorne
pau d'arco
myrrh
siler root
amber
trichosanthes
sheep's sorrel
assam indigo
eucalyptus
stillingia
paw paw
white oak
melaleuca alternifolia
indigo leaves
geranium
arnica
red root
Ash
Asclepias cordifolia
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Acacia
Agave
Allicin
Antirrhinum majus
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Products containing Proteolytic enzyme (unspecified)

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.