chymopapain

American

[kahy-moh-puh-pay-in, -pahy-in] / ˌkaɪ moʊ pəˈpeɪ ɪn, -ˈpaɪ ɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

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

Etymology

Origin of chymopapain

First recorded in 1970–75; chyme + -o- + papain

Example Sentences

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chymopapain

But in many cases, chymopapain may now provide an alternative to surgery.

From Time Magazine Archive

But a study of almost 100 patients in the U.S. showed that placebo injections were just as effective as chymopapain.

From Time Magazine Archive

As he puts it: "Faced with the choice of surgery or chymopapain, I decided to put my back where my mouth was."

From Time Magazine Archive

Even more controversial than surgery is the injection of an enzyme called chymopapain into a ruptured disc.

From Time Magazine Archive

So he referred himself to Dr. Ian Macnab at Toronto's Wellesley Hospital, who injected him with chymopapain last year.

From Time Magazine Archive

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023