Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Chymopapain is an enzyme derived from the papaya (Carica papaya) plant, historically used in the treatment of backache, specifically for herniated lumbar intervertebral discs that cause sciatica and back pain. Its medical application, known as chemonucleolysis, involves injecting chymopapain directly into the herniated disc to dissolve the nucleus pulposus, thereby relieving nerve compression and associated pain. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses from the 1970s through the 1990s demonstrated that chymopapain chemonucleolysis can be effective, with success rates ranging from 70% to 80% in properly selected patients. Major medical bodies, such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, recognized its efficacy, particularly as a less invasive alternative to surgical discectomy.

However, its use declined due to safety concerns, including rare but severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), transverse myelitis, and other complications. Additionally, the advent of improved imaging techniques and advances in minimally invasive spinal surgery contributed to its abandonment in many countries. Chymopapain is no longer widely available and is not approved for use in several regions, including the United States. Nevertheless, its use was firmly grounded in scientific evidence during its period of clinical acceptance, and it remains a significant example of enzyme therapy for back pain in medical history.

More about Chymopapain
More about Backache

Other ingredients used for Backache

ashwagandha
beta caryophyllene
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
bасора
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
citrus oil
collagen
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
ginger
gotu kola
heartwood
hemp oil
horseradish
Indian tinospora
jujube
kudzu
magnesium
milk
moringa
mustard seed
spruce
omega-3 fatty acids
plantain
quail egg
rhizome
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
almond fruit
vitamin D
vitamin D3
water
white willow
wild yam
sarsaparilla
yellow root
squawvine
gastrodia
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
punarnava
paederia foetida
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingusticum wallichii
prickly ash
morus
root tuber
silk tree
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
flowering quince
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
purslane
wintergreen
menthol oil
aster root
gentiana macrophylla
wood betony
paw paw
abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
clematis
Aralia
akebia
Antler
Ardisia
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Alsonia scholaris
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Acetylsalicylic acid
Aspen
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Bermuda Grass
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Bulnesia sarmientoi
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Bugbane
Butternut
Bogbean
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black willow
Ba Ji Tian
Bee products
Barbary matrimony vine
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Black root
Bupleurum
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Chinese Silkvine
Caryophyllene
Casearia esculenta
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Chymopapain
coconut oil
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
Carry Me Seed
Capsaicin
Cramp Bark
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Cowherb
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corktree
Curcuma
cypress
Cornus
Cannabidiol
Corydalis
Costus
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Colocynth
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Culvers Root
Deer Root
Dragonhead
Devil's Club
David's Milkberry
Dwarf Nettle
Dichrostachys glomerata
Dipsacus
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
European-Five Finger Grass
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Poppy
Spikenard
Sumac
Vervain
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by Chymopapain

Backache
Cartilage Damage
Spinal Disks

Products containing Chymopapain

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