[1] Because of its proteolytic activity, it is the main molecule in the process of chemonucleolysis, used in some procedures like the treatment of herniated lower lumbar discs in the spine by a nonsurgical method.

[3] These 2 turns are the main difference between chymopapain's structure and other papaya proteinase proteins such as papain or caricain, which have similar conformations.

Chymopapain is no longer used as a standard method to treat chronic low back pain because of its potential side effects.

Despite the huge amount of successful use to treat herniated disk disease, chymopapain use was discontinued not because of hazards or inadequacies but rather because it is no longer available due to a decision by its sole manufacturer to stop production.

[16] However, several studies have demonstrated different successful methods to extract and isolate the protease, which vary among authors.

[22] If we want to conserve the proteolytic properties, latex has to be preserved with sodium metabisulfite and stored at a low temperature of about -10 °C.

The supernatant is discarded and the ion exchange chromatography can be carried out, with a linear gradient of 100mM (Na+) and different volumes of elution.

As a matter of fact, the treatment consists on an injection of proteolytic enzymes to dissolve the herniated nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs.

A surgeon injects the solution directly into the herniated disc on the spine to dissolve part of it and ease the pain.

Chymopapain is responsible for catalysis, both in vivo and in vitro, a rapid reduction in the viscosity and, as a consequence, the weight of the nucleus pulposus.

[28] [29][30] It was tested as much in animals as in humans and, very rarely, did it cause serious side effects including paralysis of the legs and death.

The sale and distribution of chymopapain was discontinued in the United States on January 27, 2003, after the company producing it decided to stop selling it worldwide.