Benefits
Lower aflatoxin-DNA adduct marker in high-exposure adults
In a 4-month double-blind trial in 180 adults in Qidong, China, whose food is commonly contaminated with aflatoxin, 100 mg of chlorophyllin with each meal lowered urinary aflatoxin-N7-guanine, a marker of aflatoxin-DNA damage linked to liver cancer risk, by 55% versus placebo. No adverse events were reported. Cancer itself was not measured.
Less aflatoxin absorbed in a volunteer study
In an unblinded crossover study, 150 mg of natural chlorophyll or chlorophyllin taken with a tiny traceable dose of aflatoxin reduced its absorption and blood levels in one or more of three volunteers. The study was very small and used a trace dose, so it shows a binding effect rather than a health benefit.
Listed as an internal deodorant in an FDA OTC monograph
FDA's over-the-counter drug monograph allows chlorophyllin copper complex at 100 to 200 mg a day, up to 300 mg, to be labelled as an aid to reduce odor from a colostomy or ileostomy or fecal odor due to incontinence. This is a drug labelling rule for those uses, not evidence for body or breath odor.
Mechanism of action
Binding aflatoxin in the gut
Chlorophyllin is thought to form molecular complexes with some carcinogens, such as aflatoxin, blocking their absorption and increasing their elimination in stool. In people, chlorophyll and chlorophyllin reduced absorption of a trace aflatoxin dose in a very small study.
Clinical trials
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 100 mg chlorophyllin or placebo three times a day for 4 months; primary endpoint urinary aflatoxin-N7-guanine at 3 months. (Egner et al. 2001, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A)
180 healthy adults from Qidong, China, an area with dietary aflatoxin exposure and high liver cancer risk.
Median adduct levels were 55% lower with chlorophyllin than placebo (P = 0.036); the adduct was detectable in 105 of 169 samples. Adherence was high and no adverse events were reported. A biomarker of aflatoxin exposure, not a cancer outcome.
Unblinded crossover pharmacokinetic study: a trace 14C-aflatoxin B1 dose (30 ng) taken alone or with 150 mg chlorophyll or chlorophyllin, each protocol repeated three times. (Jubert et al. 2009, Cancer Prev Res (Phila))
4 healthy volunteers; 3 took part in the chlorophyll and chlorophyllin protocols.
Aflatoxin was absorbed quickly (peak at 1 hour) and urinary elimination was 95% complete by 24 hours. Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin each reduced absorption and blood and urine exposure in one or more subjects. Too small to show a health effect.