Medicinal Plants: Dual source of enzymes and enzyme modulators

Medicinal plants as enzyme sources

Abstract

Medicinal plants are recognized for their magical medicinal properties and they act as an imperative reservoir for drug discovery. Plant enzymes offer a complete spectrum of useful activities, such as amylase for digesting starches, cellulase to catalyze cellulose, and protease for the proteolysis of proteins. Enzymes are considered as the worker bees that make things happen. The presence of appropriate levels of an enzyme is critical for a healthy body system. Over or under-expression of enzymes may lead to an abnormal cascade of biological events, which eventually results in various disorders. From ancient times, humanity has been treating various ailments with medicinal plants which could find basis in their being a source of enzymes or enzyme modulators. Therefore, medicinal plants are a rich source of enzymes or bioactive natural products which could be used as enzyme modulators for the management of various disorders. For example, Gaucher’s disease is a progressive lysosomal storage disorder caused by the lack of glucocerebrosidase, which leads to dysfunctions in multiple organ systems. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with two therapeutic enzymes, commercialized as Replagal (Agalsidase alfa) and Fabrazyme (agalsidase beta), is currently used as a therapy for Gaucher’s disease. Celiac disease is a digestive malabsorption disorder associated with an allergic response to foods containing gluten. Papaya-derived protease commercialized as Gluten-Ade is efficient in some cases of gluten intolerance.