由于其卓越的潜力，长期以来人们已经认识到使用植物衍生的补品来预防和治疗疾病的重要性。菠萝（学名：Ananas comosus）是一种常见水果，它产生一组酶，称为溴酶，其中含有巯基官能团。最近的研究表明，溴酶具有抗炎、抗糖尿病、抗癌和抗风湿等广泛的活性。这些活性使溴酶成为治疗各种疾病的有希望的药物候选物。溴酶的抗炎活性对于治疗骨关节炎、类风湿关节炎和哮喘等炎症性疾病非常有效，而溴酶的抗癌活性是通过诱导凋亡、抑制血管生成和增强机体免疫应答来实现的。溴酶的抗糖尿病属性归因于改善葡萄糖代谢和降低胰岛素抵抗。溴酶的治疗潜力已经在大量的临床前和临床研究中得到了研究，到目前为止已经获得了一些专利。正在开发各种配方和给药系统，以提高该分子的疗效和安全性，包括用于治疗口腔炎症的微胶囊化形式和用于治疗癌症的脂质体制剂。新型给药系统和配方的开发进一步提升了溴酶的治疗潜力，改善其生物利用度和稳定性，同时降低了副作用。本综述旨在讨论溴酶的各种特性和治疗应用，以及其在治疗各种疾病中的可能作用机制。最近有关溴酶的专利和临床试验也被涵盖在内。

The utilization of plant-derived supplements for disease prevention and treatment has long been recognized because of their remarkable potential. Ananas comosus, commonly known as pineapple, produces a group of enzymes called bromelain, which contains sulfhydryl moieties. Recent studies have shown that bromelain exhibits a wide range of activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-rheumatic properties. These properties make bromelain a promising drug candidate for the treatment of various diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity of bromelain has been shown to be useful in treating inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma, whereas the anti-cancer activity of bromelain is via induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, and enhancement of the body's immune response. The anti-diabetic property of bromelain is owing to the improvement in glucose metabolism and reduction in insulin resistance. The therapeutic potential of bromelain has been investigated in numerous preclinical and clinical studies and a number of patents have been granted to date. Various formulations and delivery systems are being developed in order to improve the efficacy and safety of this molecule, including the microencapsulated form to treat oral inflammatory conditions and liposomal formulations to treat cancer. The development of novel drug delivery systems and formulations has further ameliorated the therapeutic potential of bromelain by improving its bioavailability and stability, while reducing the side effects. This review intends to discuss various properties and therapeutic applications of bromelain, along with its possible mechanism of action in treating various diseases. Recent patents and clinical trials concerning bromelain have also been covered.