Investigation of the effects of a Kiperin Bromelain & Papain complex in normal colon, mammary, and skin cells

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme complex naturally found in the stem, fruit, and juice of pineapple, while papain is a proteolytic enzyme derived from the latex of the papaya plant. These bioactive components have attracted increasing scientific interest due to their reported roles in cell proliferation and wound healing, suppression of oxidative stress through free radical scavenging, and apoptosis-related pathways. Although bromelain and papain have been associated with various health-related effects, their effects on healthy cells remain largely unexplored. In this study, different concentrations of Kiperin Bromelain & Papain (KBP) (1.0-3.5 µg/mL) were tested in healthy cell lines. Based on the concentration showing the highest cell viability, 2.5 µg/mL was selected for further analyses, and CCD-18Co (colon fibroblasts), HME-1 (mammary epithelial cells), and HaCaT (keratinocytes) were treated accordingly. Cell viability was assessed by cell counting, and wound healing was evaluated. Gene expression levels of MMP9, IVL, FLG, IL-6, IL-10, NFKβ, and TNF-α were measured by real-time PCR. KBP exposure increased cell viability in all cell lines, with the most pronounced effect observed at 2.5 µg/mL. Wound-healing assays indicated changes in wound closure following KBP exposure. In addition, KBP treatment was associated with decreased expression of inflammation-related genes (IL-6, IL-10, NFKβ, and TNF-α) and increased expression of genes related to skin barrier/keratinization (IVL and FLG). The magnitude of these effects differed across cell types, indicating cell-specific responses. Further research is warranted to validate these findings in in vivo models and to clarify the potential applications of KBP in dermatological contexts.