Pharmaceutical

Applications of
Enzymes
DR. RABIA HUSSAIN
Enzymes…the introduction

 Enzymes are important in all living cells because they act as

biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions without
being consumed in the process.
 Enzymes are crucial elements of every living entity and also address
the dominant underlying causes of several health problems.
 Pharmaceutically important enzymes are an important component
of the pharmaceutical market.
 They are broadly defined as prodrugs that target a specific
biological reversible or irreversible reaction to treat a particular
disease.
 Microorganisms are major source of pharmaceutically
important enzymes, but several enzymes are also
obtained from animal and plant sources.
 Enzymes which are used for pharmaceutical
applications include
 cysteine proteinases, asparaginase, streptokinase,
urokinase, deoxyribonuclease I, hyaluronidase,
pegademase, and glucocerebrosidase.
The Use of Enzymes In
Medicine

Due to the catalytic activity of enzymes they are

able to be used in a variety of ways.
 The uses of important enzymes in medicine
include killing disease-causing micro-organisms,
prompting wound healing, and diagnosing
certain diseases.
 Pharmaceutical enzyme applications generally
require small quantities of highly purified enzymes.
 Enzyme-generated products are administered to
patients in very small doses; this is in order to
avoid possible side effects.
Analytical Uses

 Enzymes can be used to detect and measure

amounts of glucose in blood.
 Amount of glucose in blood and urine is an
indicator for diagnosis of diabetes.
 Detected by using enzyme glucose oxidase.
 Catalyses reaction between glucose and oxygen
to form gluconic acid.
 Biosensor measures the produced gluconic acid
and then indicated by a colour change.
Manipulative Uses

 The goal of manipulative enzymes is to make an

enzyme that has improved properties to improve
health.
 Changes created through the exchange of amino
acids or modifications in the enzymes structure.
 Some alterations may include adding short peptide
domains.
 Most common genetic alterations are with the creation
of enzymes; introducing point mutations, exchanging
protein domains, and changing the structure.
Therapeutic Uses

 Can be administered individually or

along with other drugs and/or
treatments.
 Enzyme supplements for enzyme
deficiencies.
 Prolactazyme treats lactose intolerance.
 Collagenase treats skin ulcer.
 Asparaginase used to treat leukemia.
 Streptokinase administered to patients
immediately after heart attacks.
Industrial Uses
 Penicillin G/V acylase and glucose
isomerase are just two of the many
enzymes used in the pharmaceutical
industry.
 Penicillin acylase and glucose
isomerase aid in the production of
semi synthetic penicillin and fructose
syrup.
 Enzymes also exist in many parts of
the body, such as in the liver and in
stomach acid.