Introduction:
Chlorophyll is a naturally occurring chemical that gives plants their green color and facilitates the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is believed to improve the health of the circulatory, digestive, immune and detoxification systems of the body. According to Hamid AS et al, aflatoxin is a carcinogen present in mold contaminated foods which is a major risk factor for hepatocellular cancer (HCC). HCC has an increasing incidence in the world’s population especially in low income countries (1). Research shows that chlorophyll may reduce DNA damage caused by aflatoxin.
Chlorophyllin and levels of aflatoxin-DNA byproducts:
A chlorophyllin supplement was found to greatly reduce the levels of aflatoxin-DNA byproducts in the body, which are indicators of exposure to carcinogenic aflatoxins and increased risk of liver cancer in a study of 180 healthy adults. Chlorophyllin is a derivative of chlorophyll and is used as an over-the-counter diet supplement and as a food colorant. Half of participants took 100 mg tablets of chlorophyllin 3 times a day with meals for 4 months. The other half was given a placebo. Urine and blood samples were taken over four months to determine the effects of chlorophyllin on excretion of aflatoxin-DNA damage products. According to the study’s results, the people who took chlorophyllin showed a 55% reduction in aflatoxin-DNA damage, compared to the placebo group. (2)
Chlorophyllin and absorption of aflatoxin:
Jubert et al suggest that chlorophyll, the green pigment in most plants, may reduce the absorption of aflatoxin in humans. Aflatoxin is a potential carcinogen that has been linked to liver cancer. Researchers gave very small amounts of aflatoxin to four along with 150 mg of purified chlorophyll or chlorophyllin, a derivative of chlorophyll. The researchers then measured the rate of aflatoxin bioavailability. They found that when chlorophyll or chlorophyllin were not present, aflatoxin was rapidly absorbed. However, chlorophyll or chlorophyllin significantly limited its absorption. (3)
Assessment and Plan:
- Egner PA et al found that subjects who took 100 mg tablets of chlorophyllin 3 times a day with meals for 4 months showed a 55% reduction in aflatoxin-related DNA damage, compared to the placebo group (2).
- Aflatoxin given with 150 mg of chlorophyllin significantly limited its absorption (3).
- In these studies mentioned, chlorophyllin may have potential use in the future for the reduction in risk of hepatocellular cancer or reduce hepatotoxicity due to aflatoxin. Therefore, more research is needed to determine risk reduction in incidence of toxicity or hepatocellular cancer due to aflatoxin in the populations at risk.
References: Chlorophyll and Aflatoxin
1.Hamid AS, Tesfamariam IG, Zhang Y, Zhang ZG. Aflatoxin B1-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in developing countries: Geographical distribution, mechanism of action and prevention. Oncol Lett. 2013 Apr;5(4):1087-1092. Epub 2013 Jan 31. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23599745
2.Egner,P.A., Wang,J.B., Zhu,Y.R. et al. Chlorophyllin intervention reduces aflatoxin-DNA adducts in individuals at high risk for liver cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Dec 4;98(25):14601-6. Epub 2001 Nov 27. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Chlorophyllin%20intervention%20reduces%20aflatoxin
3.Jubert C, Mata J, Bench G, et al. Effects of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin on low-dose aflatoxin B(1) pharmacokinetics in human volunteers. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2009 Dec;2(12):1015-22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19952359