Plant latex proteases: Natural wound healers

Abstract

Proteases are ubiquitously present in several organisms including plants. In plants, one of the rich sources of protease is latex. Over 110 latices of different plant families are known to contain at least one proteolytic enzyme. The primary role of proteases in latices is defense against pests/insects. Apart from the defensive role in plants, latices are pharmacologically important and are integral components in herbal management of wounds, where it is extensively used in traditional medicines to stop bleeding and to promote healing of wounds. Plant latex proteases exhibit both clot-inducing and clot-hydrolyzing properties. Clot formation is vital for hemostasis, the initial phase of wound healing, whereas clot hydrolysis is a prerequisite for the events of regenerative phase. Overall, the plant latex proteases provide optimal conditions for physiological wound healing by complementing the endogenous proteases in hemostasis, wound debridement, microbial attenuation, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. Further, complete functional characterization of purified proteases from latex along with physicochemical characterization is very crucial to strengthen the existing knowledge and will be pivotal in developing latex protease-based wound care supplements with minimal side effects.