chymopapain

chymopapain [kahy-moh-puh-pey-in, -pahy-in] Word Origin noun Pharmacology.

1. an enzyme derived from the tropical papaya fruit that is used in some circumstances to treat herniated disks.

Origin of chymopapain First recorded in 1970–75; chyme + -o- + papain Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019 chymopapain in Medicine chymopapain [kī′mō-pə-pā′ĭn, -pī′ĭn] n.

1. A proteolytic enzyme obtained from the fruit of a tropical tree resembling papain; it is used in the treatment of herniated intervertebral disks.

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