Catalyzes the reduction of Delta(1)-pyrroline-2-carboxylate (Pyr2C) to L-proline, using NADPH as the electron donor. Is likely involved in a degradation pathway that converts cis- and trans-3-hydroxy-L-proline (c3LHyp and t3LHyp) to L-proline, which would allow S.novella to grow on c3LHyp or t3LHyp as a sole carbon source. L-proline + NAD(+) = 1-pyrroline-2-carboxylate + H(+) + NADH L-proline + NADP(+) = 1-pyrroline-2-carboxylate + H(+) + NADPH kcat is 26 sec(-1) for Pyr2C reduction using NADPH. Homodimer. Belongs to the LDH2/MDH2 oxidoreductase family.