The effects of active ingredients of standard debriding agents - Papain and collagenase - on digestion of native and denatured collagenous substrates, fibrin and elastin

Debridement of necrotic eschar from wounds can be accomplished with the app lication of proteolytic enzyme formulations. However, a clear understanding of the biochemical activities of the enzymatic agents is essential for ach ieving effective wound debridement. This report describes the in-vitro eval uation of the active ingredients of several commercial debriding agents. Co llagenase and papain/urea were tested in standard enzymatic assays for thei r ability to digest several substrates found in various types of wound esch ars and chronic ulcers. Both showed activity with denatured and, to a lesse r extent, native collagenous substrates. Papain/urea effectively digested f ibrin but had only slight activity with elastin. Collagenase slightly diges ted fibrin but was active in digesting elastin. These results indicate that the biochemical activities vary among the active ingredients of topical de briding agents, and this finding should be a consideration in selecting the best treatment for each type of wound.