Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll/Drug Interactions:

  • AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: In animal and human research, the chlorophyll metabolite phytanic acid has been shown to be a natural ligand for retinoid X receptor (RXR) and is therefore purported to have antidiabetic activity (13; 14; 42).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In vitro, the chlorophyll metabolites phytanic and pristanic acids signaled the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which belong to the family of ligand-activated nuclear receptors to lipid metabolism, and are therefore purported affect catabolic lipid metabolism (21).
  • Antimutagenic agentsAntimutagenic agents: In cellular and human research, chlorophyll and chlorophyllin demonstrated antimutagenic and anticlastogenic effects (41; 64; 65; 66; 67).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In laboratory, animal, and human research, chlorophyll and its metabolites have demonstrated antineoplastic effects (68; 61; 69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 75; 10; 76; 77).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: In laboratory research, the chlorophyll metabolites phytanic and pristanic acids demonstrated antiobesity properties, including induction of adipocyte differentiation and stimulation of energy dissipation in skeletal muscle (21; 14; 42).
  • AntisepticsAntiseptics: In human research, topical 1% Chlorophyllipt? solution has been investigated as a possible prophylactic treatment in lieu of systemic antibiotics to mitigate purulent-septic soft tissue complications in ambulatory outpatients; however, additional information is lacking (59).
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: In laboratory and human research, chlorophyll, chlorophyll derivatives from silkworm excreta, and a Sasa senanensis Rehder leaf extract containing Fe(II)-chlorophyllin, demonstrated antiviral properties against herpes virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), respectively (8; 18; 17).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: In clinical research, cases of mild-to-moderately severe chest pain necessitating symptomatic treatment have been reported following photosensitization with chlorin-based HPPH (2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a) and subsequent exposure to light therapy (43).
  • CYP450-modifying agentsCYP450-modifying agents: In vitro, chlorophyllin inhibited CYP3A activity to a greater extent than Sasa senanensis Rehder leaf extract (46).
  • Dermatologic agentsDermatologic agents: In human research, cases of photosensitive rash and dermatitis have been reported following topical administration of chlorophyll (52; 8).
  • Detoxifying agentsDetoxifying agents: In animal and human research, chlorophyll and chlorophyll-rich diets promoted the excretion of dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) (78; 79; 80).
  • Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: In human research, chlorophyll a normalized pancreatitis-induced elevations in amylase levels (55). Cases of nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, abdominal cramping, and stool discoloration have been reported following chlorophyllin supplementation (e.g., YebaikeT tablet) or dietary consumption of chlorophyll-rich products (12; 44).
  • HematologicsHematologics: In human research, sodium copper chlorophyllin (YebaikeT tablet) and Radachlorin? increased peripheral blood leukocyte count (44; 54). Increased risk for developing protoporphyria and diet-dependent phototoxicity in humans or animals with low or absent breast cancer-resistant protein (BCRP) activity has been proposed, due to preclinical research demonstrating formation of pseudoporphyria with coadministration of chlorophyll building blocks and iron (19) and increased sensitivity to chlorophyll-breakdown metabolites in animals lacking the BCRPABCG2 protein (62).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In human research, Chlorophyllipt? coadministered with a standard therapy of sulfonamides, desensitizing drugs, adaptogens, vitamins B and C, and heparin increased levels of T lymphocytes and IgA compared to standard therapy plus broad-spectrum antibiotics (47).
  • Photosensitizing agentsPhotosensitizing agents: In laboratory and human research, chlorophyll and some of its synthetically produced derivatives demonstrated photosensitizing effects as part of photodynamic therapy (PDT) (48; 49; 18; 50; 51; 54; 43; 58). Chlorophyll may cause hyperpigmentation or dermatitis, or it may make a patient more sensitive to laser treatment.

    • Chlorophyll/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In vitro, the chlorophyll metabolites phytanic and pristanic acids signaled the PPARs, which belong to the family of ligand-activated nuclear receptors to lipid metabolism, and are therefore purported to affect catabolic lipid metabolism (21).
  • Antimutagenic agentsAntimutagenic agents: In cellular and human research, chlorophyll and chlorophyllin demonstrated antimutagenic and anticlastogenic effects (41; 64; 65; 66; 67).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In laboratory, animal, and human research, chlorophyll and its metabolites demonstrated antineoplastic effects (68; 61; 69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 75; 10; 76; 77).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In cellular research, chlorophyll and a Sasa senanensis Rehder leaf extract containing Fe(II)-chlorophyllin demonstrated superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, respectively (15; 16; 17).
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: In laboratory and human research, chlorophyll, chlorophyll derivatives from silkworm excreta (CpD), and a Sasa senanensis Rehder leaf extract containing Fe(II)-chlorophyllin demonstrated antiviral properties against herpes virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and HIV, respectively (8; 18; 17).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: In clinical research, cases of mild-to-moderately severe chest pain necessitating symptomatic treatment only have been reported following photosensitization with chlorin-based HPPH and subsequent exposure to light therapy (43).
  • CarotenoidsCarotenoids: According to a review, beta-carotene or canthaxanthin prevented or lessened chlorophyll-induced photosensitivity (52).
  • CYP450-modifying agentsCYP450-modifying agents: In vitro, chlorophyllin inhibited CYP3A activity to a greater extent than Sasa senanensis Rehder leaf extract (46).
  • Detoxifying agentsDetoxifying agents: In animal and human research, chlorophyll and chlorophyll-rich diets promoted the excretion of dioxins, PCDFs, and PCDDs (78; 79; 80).
  • Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: In human research, chlorophyll a normalized pancreatitis-induced elevations in amylase levels (55). Cases of nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, abdominal cramping, and stool discoloration have been reported following chlorophyllin supplementation (e.g., YebaikeT tablet) or dietary consumption of chlorophyll-rich products (12; 44).
  • HematologicsHematologics: In human research, sodium copper chlorophyllin (YebaikeT tablet) and Radachlorin? increased peripheral blood leukocyte count (44; 54). An increased risk for developing protoporphyria and diet-dependent phototoxicity in humans or animals with low or absent BCRP activity has been proposed, due to preclinical research demonstrating formation of pseudoporphyria with coadministration of chlorophyll building blocks and iron (19) and increased sensitivity to chlorophyll-breakdown metabolites in animals lacking the BCRPABCG2 protein (62).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In animal and human research, the chlorophyll metabolite phytanic acid has been shown to be a natural ligand for retinoid X receptor (RXR), and it is therefore purported to have antidiabetic activity (13; 14; 42).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In human research, Chlorophyllipt? coadministered with a standard therapy of sulfonamides, desensitizing drugs, adaptogens, vitamins B and C, and heparin increased levels of T lymphocytes and IgA compared to standard therapy plus broad-spectrum antibiotics (47).
  • Pantothenic acidPantothenic acid: In animal research, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and pantothenic acid exerted preventive effects against photosensitized hemolysis (81).
  • PhotosensitizersPhotosensitizers: In laboratory and human research, chlorophyll and some of its synthetically produced derivatives demonstrated photosensitizing effects as part of photodynamic therapy (PDT) (48; 49; 18; 50; 51; 54; 43; 58). Chlorophyll may cause hyperpigmentation or dermatitis, or it may make a patient more sensitive to laser treatment.
  • Radioprotective agentsRadioprotective agents: In vitro, a commercial product of Sasa senanensis Rehder leaf extract containing Fe(II)-chlorophyllin demonstrated antiultraviolet (UV) activity (17).
  • Vitamin CVitamin C: In animal research, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and pantothenic acid exerted preventive effects against photosensitized hemolysis (81).
  • Weight loss agentsWeight loss agents: In laboratory research, the chlorophyll metabolites phytanic and pristanic acids demonstrated antiobesity properties, including induction of adipocyte differentiation and stimulation of energy dissipation in skeletal muscle (21; 14; 42).

    • Chlorophyll/Food Interactions:

  • Protein-rich foodsProtein-rich foods: According to laboratory research, chlorophyll molecules that adsorb on protein lead to the deaggregation of aqueous pigment, causing an increase in the photosensitizing activity with chlorophyll (82).

    • Chlorophyll/Lab Interactions:

  • Diagnostic testsDiagnostic tests: According to a study, chlorophyll in oral rehydration solution caused a diagnostic delay (63).
  • ImmunoglobulinsImmunoglobulins: In human research, Chlorophyllipt? coadministered with a standard therapy of sulfonamides, desensitizing drugs, adaptogens, vitamins B and C, and heparin increased levels of lymphocytes and IgA compared to standard therapy plus broad-spectrum antibiotics (47).
  • Serum polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) levelsSerum polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) levels: In animal and human research, chlorophyll and chlorophyll-rich diets promoted the excretion of dioxins, PCDFs, and PCDDs (78; 79; 80).
  • Serum polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) levelsSerum polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) levels: In animal and human research, chlorophyll and chlorophyll-rich diets promoted the excretion of dioxins, PCDFs, and PCDDs (78; 79; 80).
  • Urine aflatoxin-N(7)guanine levelsUrine aflatoxin-N(7)guanine levels: In animal and human research, chlorophyllin reduced urinary levels of aflatoxin biomarkers (aflatoxin-N(7)guanine) and inhibited aflatoxin hepatocarcinogenesis by blocking carcinogen bioavailability (10; 61).
  • White blood cell countWhite blood cell count: In human research, sodium copper chlorophyllin (YebaikeT tablet) and Radachlorin? increased peripheral blood leukocyte count (44; 54).