Chlorophyllin refers to any one of a group of closely related water-soluble salts that are semi-synthetic derivatives of chlorophyll, differing in the identity of the cations associated with the anion. Its most common form is a sodium/copper derivative used as a food additive and in alternative medicine. As a food coloring agent, copper complex chlorophyllin is known as natural green 3 and has the E number E141.

Uses

Alternative medicine

Chlorophyllin is the active ingredient in a number of internally taken preparations intended to reduce odors associated with incontinence, colostomies, and similar procedures, as well as body odor in general. Also in recent years it has been used as a home remedy to treat acne and skin conditions such as pimples or blackheads, thanks to its antimicrobial effect. It is also available as a topical preparation, purportedly useful for both treatment and odor control of wounds, injuries, radiation burns, and other skin conditions. The origins of these unsubstantiated medical claims were findings from research by F. Howard Westcott in the 1940s that it was an odor blocker. The commercial value of this attribute in advertising led to many companies creating brands containing the compound in 1950–1953 in particular. It was used as a marketing tool to promote toothpaste, sanitary towels, soap and other products. However, it was soon determined that the hype surrounding chlorophyll or chlorophyllin was not warranted and the underlying research may even have been a hoax. As a result, brands rapidly discontinued its use. In the 2020s, it again became the subject of unsubstantiated medical claims, as social media influencers promoted its use in the form of "chlorophyll water", for example.

3D printing

Chlorophyllin has been used as a biocompatible photoblocker for generating green colored hydrogels with complex inner structures.

Chemical properties

Chlorophyllin is water-soluble. In vitro, it binds to some environmental mutagens such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[a]pyrene and dibenzo[a,i]pyrene. Chlorophyllin also binds to acridine orange.

Biological properties

Chlorophyllin has been validated to exhibit ameliorative effects against food additive induced genotoxicity (elevating the expression of DNA repair proteins p53 and PARP) and mitochondrial dysfunction and may be used as a therapeutic tool for the management of diseases like diabetes and cancer. It has shown to modulate several protein functions including the expression of cytokine proteins NFkβ and IFNγ.