Bromelain
Enteric-coated bromelain, also known as ananase, was given to a 32-year-old woman with early biopsy-proven scleroderma at a dose of 160 mg initially and 80 mg thereafter. Compared to 50% prior to treatment, she was able to close her hand 85% of the time after three months. The ability to swallow, which had been compromised for a number of years, also improved. Over the course of the whole one-year therapy period, these gains persisted.
The product that was used in this investigation is no longer offered for sale. After ingestion, stomach enzymes would likely partially inactive non-enteric-coated brome-lain. Clinical evidence indicates that commercially available bromelain preparations do have biological action, but it is challenging to compare dosages with ananase.