HERBAL MONOGRAPHS PINEAPPLE/593Reichling J, Martin R, Pseudoisoeugenole - eine Gruppe
seltener Phenylpropanoide im Genus Pimpinella: Biosynthese
unfd biologische Wirkung. In: PZW 136(5/6)225. 1991.
Further information in:
9 Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-Leaves, Stem and Root: Ananas comosus is a leafy rosette
perennial plant, which grows up to 1.2 m high. The leaves
are narrow-linear, thorny-tipped, up to 0.9 m long and 6 cmwide. They are usually thorny dentate and arranged in
rosette. The stem is short.Characteristics: The fruit is usually parthenocarpic. The
cultivated fruits are seedless. The fruit pulp is white to
yellow with a sourish-sweet, aromatic smell and taste.Habitat: Hawaii, Japan, TaiwanProduction: Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes
from the main stump of Ananas comosus. Bromelain is
produced from the main pineapple stumps harvested after 4
years. The main stumps are pressed and put through an
extraction process with water. The juice is then precipitated
with acetone to produce raw bromelain. The resulting waste
product is a soft wax, which is used in the cosmetic industry.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Proteases: mixture of at least 5 chemically very similar
cysteine proteinases, including EC 3.4.22.4 and EC 3.4.22.5,
that can be deactivated with oxidizing substances or activa-
ted with thiols such as cysteine, as well as small amounts of
a phosphatase, a peroxidase or protease inhibitors.EFFECTS
Pineapple is antiphlogistic, fibrinolytic and proteolytic. The
proteolytic enzymes promote the healing of wounds. In
addition, an inhibition of thrombocyte aggregation and an
antineoplastic effect have been observed, as well as an
elevation of the serum level of antibiotics when administered
concurrently.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:- Wounds and burns
Unproven Uses: Internal application: For post traumatic and
postoperative swelling to stimulate healing and as an enzyme
substitution for digestive symptoms after pancreatic disease.
The drug can also be used for edema, digestive complaints,
for inflammation and febrile conditions (Hawaiian Islands,
Philippines and South America), for asthmatic conditions in
children (Zaire) and as a vermifuge (Brazil). Pineapple bran
is used in weight reduction.Indian Medicine: The fruit is used for dyspeptic symptoms,
constipation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, as well as for
black vomiting and fever.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Gastric
complaints and diarrhea may occur as side effects of internal
administration. Allergic reactions following repeated admin-
istration have been observed.Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U. Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl.. Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.Pimpinella anisum
See Anise
Pimpinella major
See Pimpinella
Pineapple- .-. -
Ananas comosus
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the fruit.Flower and Fruit: The white, blue or purple flowers are
arranged in approximately 30 cm long spikes. The flowers
are in the axils of reddish, thorny bracts. The 3 sepals are
free or fused at the base, and the 3 petals form a tube. Tnere
€r are 6 stamens and a 3-chambered ovary. The fruit is fused
with the thickening receptacle to an oval to cylindrical, cone-
like pseudocarp. The pseudocarp is 10 to 25 cm thick, 15 to
25 cm high, 0.5 to 5 kg in weight, yellow to orange-red with
large warts and a hexagonal area bearing a leaf cluster at the
tip.