Bromelain functional hydrogel from upcycled Ananas Comosus targeting inflammatory bowel diseases

Natural substances derived from plants have been extensively studied due to their significant bioactive properties and multiple applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Bromelain, an endopeptidase composed of proteolytic enzymes found throughout the pineapple plant, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, and anticancer properties. Previous research has developed a technique for extracting bromelain using polyelectrolyte precipitation with carrageenan, a green separation system that complexes with bromelain under controlled conditions, isolating it from the rest of the pineapple juice. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease, is a group of chronic conditions characterized by persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of IBD has risen to millions of cases worldwide, yet there are limited solutions to prevent its occurrence and manage its prevalence. Therefore, this study aims to develop and characterize multifunctional bromelain hydrogels for the management of inflammatory bowel diseases.