Studies on the anti-inflammatory action of digestive enzymes: anti-edematous action of protease from Streptomyces griseus and alpha-amylase from Bacillus amylosolvens

Abstract

Anti-inflammatory action of several proteases and α-amylases, especially protease from Streptomyces griseus and α-amylase from Bacillus amylosolvens, was examined and their anti-edematous action in rat hind paw was observed. Anti-inflammatory mechanism was examined, and following results were obtained : Anti-inflammatory action of protease was marked in egg-white and dextran edema, and that of α-amylase in croton oil edema. Enzyme activity and anti-inflammatory action were not always in parallel, So were also increase in capillary permeability and anti-edematous action. Extract of inflammatory fluid activated spontaneous contraction of isolated rat uterus and this activation was not antagonized by atropine and diphenhydramine. Some components in intraperitoneal fluid of enzyme pretreatment inhibited spontaneous contraction of isolated rat uterus, but these components were not identified.