Papaya enzyme, called papase, is in a class called proteolytic enzymes.
They reduce swelling and break thisk mucus bonds when uses systemically.
When swallowed, they digest food and are inactivated by the stomach acid.
If you by pass the stomach, as via buccal pouch, they thin mucus and reduce
swelling.
Papain is not as effective in reducing swelling as prednisone.
One very popular use is for scuba divers who have difficulty clearing the ears.
Another is to thin mucus to aid cila function.
The reason it is combined with Bromelain (from Pineapple) is that the
combination is more effective - each works on a slighly different "arm" of
inflammation.
Common dose is 500,000 enzyme units of Papain and 1 million enzyme units of
Bromelain - dissolved in buccal pouch between cheek and gums.
Murray Grossan, M.D.
http://www.ent-consult.com

FWIW - I used Bromelain after surgery. One 100 mg tab everytime the
lining started to feel swollen. Dr.was astonished that my nose didn't
look like hamburger after a week.