U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Divider Arrow National Institutes of Health Divider Arrow NCATS
Chlorophyll is a green pigment present in plants, as well as in eukaryotic single-celled algae and in several photosynthetic prokaryotes (the cyanobacteria and prochlorophytes), it plays crucial role in photosynthesis. The initial step in photosynthesis is the absorption of light by chlorophylls attached to proteins in the thylakoid membranes. Like cytochromes, chlorophylls consist of a porphyrin ring attached to a long hydrocarbon side chain. The energy of the absorbed light is used to remove electrons from an unwilling donor (water, in green plants), forming oxygen, and then to transfer the electrons to a primary electron acceptor, a quinone designated Q, which is similar to CoQ. Chlorophyll derivatives Radachlorin/Bremachlorin and Radachlorophyll/Bremachlorophyll are actually a second generation photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy of malignant and benign pathologies. Radachlorophyll/Bremachlorophyll may change blood lipids and pressure, including: (1) reduced total cholesterol; (2) increased HDL cholesterol; (3) reduced triglycerides; and (4) reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as immunomodulating properties. As a dietary supplement chlorophyll supports multiple body systems: provides antioxidant activity, supports vascular health, supports the body's normal immune system function, provides cardiovascular support, maintains skin and hair health. Chlorophylls (E140) is used as a food additive.

Approval Year

Conditions

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Primary
Bremachlorin

Approved Use

Bremachlorin® is used as a photosensitizer to enhance the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Research has demonstrated that it can be used to destroy malignant cancers of various cell types both independently and as an adjunct to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. When combined with these conventional treatments, PDT can have either additive or synergistic cytotoxic effects against cancer; however, PDT must always precede chemotherapy and follow radiotherapy. Use of Bremachlorin® during a course of intraoperative PDT may help prevent the formation of implantation metastases.
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
Light-harvesting chlorophyll pigments enable mammalian mitochondria to capture photonic energy and produce ATP.
2014 Jan 15
An evidence-based systematic review of chlorophyll by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.
2014 Jun
Patents

Sample Use Guides

Adult (age ≥18) Oral • Bad breath: Anecdotally, 100 mg of chlorophyll has been taken two or three times daily. • Leukopenia: 40 mg of sodium copper chlorophyllin (YebaikeTM tablet) has been taken three times daily for 1 month (Gao & Hu, 2005). • Protection from aflatoxins: 100 mg of chlorophyllin has been taken three times daily for 4 months (Egner et al., (2001)). • Reduction of odor from incontinence/bladder catheterization: 100 mg of chlorophyllin (DerifilR ) has been taken daily for 2 weeks (Nahata, Slencsak, & Kamp, 1983). 75 mg of chlorophyll has been used three times daily (Christiansen, Byel, Stromsted, Stenderup, & Eickhoff, 1989). According to secondary sources, 300 mg of chorophyll has been used daily if odor was still not controlled and 1–2 tablets of 100 mg chorophyll each have been placed in the empty pouch each time it is reused or changed in a patient who has had an ostomy. Topical • Burns and wounds: Theoretical evidence suggests that chlorophyll aids in the growth of new tissue when applied topically; however, reliable scientific evidence is lacking to suggest dosage application and/or form. • Cancer treatment: 0.1 g/cm2 of RadachlorinR gel has been applied topically during 1–3 hr of exposure to 400—800 J/cm2 of light therapy in two sessions over 4 weeks, three sessions over 1 week, or four sessions over 1 week, for up to 18 months (Kochneva et al., (2010)). 3—6 mg/m2 of 2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) has been administered 24–48 hr prior to exposure to 150, 175, or 200 J/cm of 665 nm light (Nava et al., (2011)). In breast cancer patients, Sonoflora 1 has been given sublingually 24 hr prior to sonodynamic and photodynamic therapy, although information on treatment dose and duration is unclear (Wang et al., (2009)). • Herpes: 2—5 mg of chlorophyll per 1 g of cream or per 1 mL of saline solution has been applied topically to herpes affected areas 3–6 times daily for an indeterminate duration of time (Belenkii & Krikun, 1971). • Sepsis: 1% ChlorophylliptR ethanol solution has been applied via bandage as a prophylactic treatment to mitigate purulent-septic soft tissue complications; however, information on dose and duration of treatment is unclear (Biliaieva, Korzhyk, & Myronov, 2011). Intravenous/Intramuscular • Cancer treatment: 0.5–1.2 mg/kg of RadachlorinR has been administered intravenously in combination with 200—300 J/cm2 of laser irradiation in two sessions over 4 weeks, three sessions over 1 week, or four sessions over 1 week, for up to 18 months (Kochneva et al., (2010)). • Pancreatitis: Infusion of 5–20 mg of water-soluble chlorophyll a has been taken daily in 1–2 divided doses for periods of 3 days to 3 years, for a total chlorophyll a intake of 30–1,960 mg (Yoshida et al., 1980).
Route of Administration: Other
In Vitro Use Guide
Curator's Comment: Chlorophyll a inhibited bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α (a pro-inflammatory cytokine) gene expression in HEK293 cells, but it did not influence the expression of inducible nitric acid synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 genes. Chlorophyll b only marginally inhibited both inflammation and TNF-α gene expression. But both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b showed the same level of marginal inhibition on 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate-induced NF-κB activation. Chlorophylls and pheophytins showed in vitro anti-oxidant activity.
Unknown
Name Type Language
CHLOROPHYLL
MI   VANDF   WHO-DD  
Common Name English
PIGMENTS, BIOLOGICAL, CHLOROPHYLLS
Common Name English
Chlorophyll [WHO-DD]
Common Name English
CHLOROPHYLLS
Common Name English
CHLOROPHYLL [VANDF]
Common Name English
CHLOROFOLIN
Common Name English
DEODOPHYLL
Common Name English
CHLOROPHYLL [MI]
Common Name English
Classification Tree Code System Code
DSLD 38 (Number of products:409)
Created by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023
Code System Code Type Description
NCI_THESAURUS
C764
Created by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023
NO STRUCTURE GIVEN
EVMPD
SUB13336MIG
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PRIMARY
EPA CompTox
DTXSID7093662
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PRIMARY
FDA UNII
00WNZ48OR9
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PRIMARY
NCI_THESAURUS
C366
Created by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023
PRIMARY NCIT
CAS
1406-65-1
Created by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
CHEBI
28966
Created by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Sat Dec 16 02:17:11 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
ECHA (EC/EINECS)
215-800-7
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PRIMARY
MERCK INDEX
m3428
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PRIMARY Merck Index
DAILYMED
00WNZ48OR9
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PRIMARY
CHEBI
18230
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PRIMARY
RXCUI
2388
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PRIMARY RxNorm
All of the following components must be present:
Definition References