Supplement
Chlorophyll is the green pigment plants use to capture sunlight, and supplements usually contain chlorophyllin, a water-soluble copper-based form. The best-supported finding involves aflatoxin, a mold toxin: in a trial in China, people taking chlorophyllin had 55% lower levels of aflatoxin-DNA damage markers in their urine than those given placebo. Still, the evidence is limited, since most supporting studies were in animals or the lab.
Sources: PMID 11830597; PMID 21816119
- Updated
- How we grade
- 22 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 2
- Outcomes
- 9
- Graded outcomes
- 0036
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aflatoxin-DNA Adduct Reduction A landmark human RCT in Qidong, China demonstrated that chlorophyllin (100 mg three times daily) reduced urinary aflatoxin-DNA adducts by 55% compared to placebo. Multiple animal studies in rats and rainbow trout confirm chlorophyllin binds aflatoxin B1 in the GI tract, reducing its absorption and subsequent hepatocarcinogenesis. | Changes; see studies | Large effect | 9 studies | 180 people | ||
Studies that measured aflatoxin-dna adduct reduction
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| Body & Fecal Odor Reduction Chlorophyllin (as Derifil) is FDA-approved for controlling body and fecal odors in colostomy/ileostomy patients and those with fecal incontinence. Clinical use established since the 1950s, with mechanism involving binding of volatile sulfur-containing odor compounds in the gut. | Changes; see studies | Moderate effect | 2 studies | |||
Studies that measured body & fecal odor reduction | ||||||
| Anti-mutagenic Activity In vitro Ames test studies and animal models consistently show chlorophyllin inhibits mutagenesis from various carcinogens including aflatoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and mycotoxins (ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1). Mechanism involves binding planar carcinogens and inhibiting cytochrome P450 activation. However, one Drosophila study (PMID 24283476) found SCC itself could induce genetic damage at certain doses. | Changes; see studies | Moderate effect | 9 studies | |||
Studies that measured anti-mutagenic activity
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| Hepatoprotective Effects In rodent models, sodium copper chlorophyllin reduced carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury via inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Additional rat studies showed chlorophyllin combined with probiotic fermented milk attenuated aflatoxin B1-induced hepatocellular carcinogenesis, with protective effects on gene expression markers. No controlled human trials for hepatoprotection. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 6 studies | |||
Studies that measured hepatoprotective effects
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| Facial Redness Reduction A case series reported topical liposomal sodium copper chlorophyllin complex reduced facial redness in patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. In vitro studies showed chlorophyllin inhibits hyaluronidase, suggesting a mechanism for dermatological effects. Only uncontrolled case reports exist. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured facial redness reduction
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| Trimethylamine Excretion Reduction A small clinical trial in 7 Japanese patients with trimethylaminuria found that copper chlorophyllin (180 mg/day for 3 weeks) reduced urinary trimethylamine excretion. The effect was comparable to activated charcoal. Only a single small study exists. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 3 studies | 7 people | ||
| Wound Healing Topical chlorophyllin was used clinically for wound healing before the antibiotic era. Older clinical reports from the 1940s-1950s documented faster healing of burns and chronic wounds. Proposed mechanisms include stimulation of tissue granulation and anti-inflammatory effects, but modern controlled trials are lacking. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 2 studies | |||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Blood Cell Count An RCT of 105 patients with leukopenia found sodium copper chlorophyllin tablets (60 patients) improved peripheral white blood cell counts over 1 month compared to leucogen and placebo controls. A separate animal study in aplastic anemia mice showed effects on mesenchymal stem cell function. Limited to a single human RCT. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 4 studies | 105 people | ||
Studies that measured white blood cell count
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| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant Activity In vitro studies demonstrate chlorophyllin scavenges free radicals and reduces lipid peroxidation via its porphyrin ring structure. A series of studies showed protective effects against peroxidative damage in rat liver lysosomes. However, no controlled human trials have confirmed systemic antioxidant effects. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured antioxidant activity
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Key findings
- Aflatoxin-DNA Adduct ReductionChanges; see studies
- White Blood Cell CountImproves (the measure goes up)
- Body & Fecal Odor ReductionChanges; see studies
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- Grade C
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Studies cited
22 studies from PubMed
- Chemopreventive potential of chlorophyllin: a review of the mechanisms of action and molecular targets
- In vitro genotoxicity of mycotoxins ochratoxin A and fumonisin B(1) could be prevented by sodium copper chlorophyllin--implication to their genotoxic mechanism
- Topical Treatment With Liposomal Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin Complex in Subjects With Facial Redness and Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea: Case Studies
- In vitro inhibition of hyaluronidase by sodium copper chlorophyllin complex and chlorophyllin analogs
- Effects of sodium copper chlorophyllin on mesenchymal stem cell function in aplastic anemia mice
- Sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) induces genetic damage in postmeiotic and somatic wing cells of Drosophila melanogaster
- Chlorophyll revisited: anti-inflammatory activities of chlorophyll a and inhibition of expression of TNF-α
- Anticarcinogenic effect of probiotic fermented milk and chlorophyllin on aflatoxin-B₁-induced liver carcinogenesis in rats
- Gene expression signature of DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinomas: modulation by chlorophyllin and ellagic acid
- Effect of probiotic fermented milk and chlorophyllin on gene expressions and genotoxicity during AFB₁-induced hepatocellular carcinoma
- Chlorophylls as anti-carcinogens
- Protective effects of chlorophyllin in murine tumor models and in human volunteers
- Analysis of the therapeutic effect of sodium copper chlorophyllin tablet in treating 60 cases of leukopenia
- A comprehensive review on chlorophylls and related applications
- Effects of the dietary supplements, activated charcoal and copper chlorophyllin, on urinary excretion of trimethylamine in Japanese trimethylaminuria patients
- Chlorophyllin intervention reduces aflatoxin-DNA adducts in individuals at high risk for liver cancer
- Chlorophylls as anticarcinogens (review)
- In vivo effects of chlorophyllin on the antitumour agent cyclophosphamide
- Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin as modifiers of genotoxic effects
- Effect of sodium copper chlorophyllin on lipid peroxidation. VIII. Its effect on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats
- Effect of sodium copper chlorophyllin on lipid peroxidation. V. Effect on peroxidative damage of rat liver lysosomes
- Effect of sodium copper chlorophyllin on the formation of calcium oxalate crystals in rat kidney