Chlorophyll / Chlorophyllin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Chlorophyll / Chlorophyllin (Sodium copper chlorophyllin) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 720 participants, researched for Antioxidant & Detoxification, Wound Healing & Skin Health, Cancer Prevention and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Antioxidant & Detoxification
StrongWound Healing & Skin Health
ModerateCancer Prevention
ModerateSystematic Reviews & Mechanisms
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Antioxidant & Detoxification
To evaluate chlorophyllin's ability to reduce aflatoxin-DNA adducts as a marker of carcinogen exposure.
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate chlorophyllin's ability to reduce aflatoxin-DNA adducts as a marker of carcinogen exposure.
Dose
100 mg chlorophyllin three times daily
Participants
180 adults at high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in Qidong, China
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Chlorophyllin reduced urinary aflatoxin-DNA adducts by 55% compared to placebo, indicating significant reduction in aflatoxin bioavailability.
How They Measured It
Urinary aflatoxin-DNA adduct levels measured by immunoassay
To assess the chemopreventive effect of chlorophyllin on aflatoxin B1-induced liver damage biomarkers.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess the chemopreventive effect of chlorophyllin on aflatoxin B1-induced liver damage biomarkers.
Dose
100 mg chlorophyllin TID
Participants
226 adults at high aflatoxin exposure risk
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant reductions in aflatoxin-albumin adducts and liver enzyme markers compared to placebo group.
How They Measured It
Serum ALT, AST, and aflatoxin-albumin adducts
To investigate the free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity of chlorophyllin derivatives.
Study Type
In vitro mechanistic study
Purpose
To investigate the free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity of chlorophyllin derivatives.
Dose
Various concentrations (1-100 µM)
Participants
Cell-free assay
Duration
Acute assay
Results
Chlorophyllin demonstrated potent free radical scavenging activity superior to vitamin C at equivalent molar concentrations.
How They Measured It
DPPH radical scavenging assay, ORAC values
Wound Healing & Skin Health
To evaluate topical chlorophyllin-copper complex for chronic wound healing.
Study Type
Open-label clinical study
Purpose
To evaluate topical chlorophyllin-copper complex for chronic wound healing.
Dose
Topical chlorophyllin ointment applied daily
Participants
50 patients with chronic leg ulcers
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in wound surface area (mean 62%) and accelerated granulation tissue formation compared to standard care alone.
How They Measured It
Wound surface area reduction, healing rate assessment
To assess topical chlorophyllin for acne and photoaged skin.
Study Type
Randomised controlled study
Purpose
To assess topical chlorophyllin for acne and photoaged skin.
Dose
Topical 0.1% chlorophyllin gel twice daily
Participants
24 adults with facial acne and enlarged pores
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in acne lesion count, sebum production, and pore size compared to baseline, with good tolerability.
How They Measured It
Investigator Global Assessment, sebum output, pore size measurement
Cancer Prevention
To evaluate chlorophyllin's chemopreventive activity against colon carcinogenesis.
Study Type
Animal / pre-clinical study
Purpose
To evaluate chlorophyllin's chemopreventive activity against colon carcinogenesis.
Dose
250 ppm chlorophyllin in diet
Participants
Rodent model (DMH-induced colon cancer)
Duration
30 weeks
Results
Chlorophyllin significantly reduced colon tumor incidence and multiplicity by approximately 50% vs control animals.
How They Measured It
Colon tumor incidence and multiplicity in rodent model
To assess dietary chlorophyll intake and risk of colorectal cancer.
Study Type
Observational cohort
Purpose
To assess dietary chlorophyll intake and risk of colorectal cancer.
Dose
Dietary chlorophyll (observational, quartile analysis)
Participants
36,000 adults in prospective cohort
Duration
8 years follow-up
Results
Highest quartile of dietary chlorophyll intake associated with 20% reduced risk of colorectal cancer compared to lowest quartile.
How They Measured It
Food frequency questionnaire; cancer incidence from registry
Systematic Reviews & Mechanisms
To systematically review the clinical and pre-clinical evidence for chlorophyllin as a chemopreventive agent.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To systematically review the clinical and pre-clinical evidence for chlorophyllin as a chemopreventive agent.
Dose
Various doses reviewed
Participants
Multiple studies reviewed
Duration
Review
Results
Strong evidence that chlorophyllin inhibits carcinogen bioavailability; clinical translation promising for high-risk populations with aflatoxin or heterocyclic amine exposure.
How They Measured It
Literature review of RCTs, animal, and in vitro studies
To review chlorophyll and chlorophyllin's biological activities including antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, and anti-cancer properties.
Study Type
Narrative review
Purpose
To review chlorophyll and chlorophyllin's biological activities including antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, and anti-cancer properties.
Dose
Varied
Participants
Multiple studies reviewed
Duration
Review
Results
Chlorophyllin exhibits anti-mutagenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties supporting its use in disease prevention strategies.
How They Measured It
Literature synthesis
To explore chlorophyllin's interaction with carcinogenic heterocyclic amines and its effect on DNA damage.
Study Type
Mechanistic in vitro study
Purpose
To explore chlorophyllin's interaction with carcinogenic heterocyclic amines and its effect on DNA damage.
Dose
10-100 µM
Participants
Human lymphocyte and bacterial cell models
Duration
Acute assay
Results
Chlorophyllin formed tight non-covalent complexes with heterocyclic amines, significantly reducing their mutagenicity in the Ames test.
How They Measured It
Comet assay, Ames test, HPLC binding assay
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chlorophyll / Chlorophyllin research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Chlorophyll / Chlorophyllin (Sodium copper chlorophyllin), involving 720 total participants. Research covers Antioxidant protection, Detoxification, Wound healing and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Chlorophyll / Chlorophyllin has been researched for: Antioxidant protection, Detoxification, Wound healing, Cancer prevention. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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