Chemopreventive activity of chlorophyllin against mouse skin carcinogenesis by benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide

Chlorophyllin (CHL), the sodium and copper salt of chlorophyll, was tested for its chemopreventive activity against tumorigenesis induced by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and its ultimate electrophilic and carcinogenic metabolite, benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE). Administration of CHL (15 mg/kg body wt) by gavage to female ICR mice 30 min prior to a topical application of B[a]P or BPDE resulted in significant reduction in both incidence and multiplicity of skin tumors initiated by these carcinogens. CHL was rapidly distributed in the skin and other tissues of mice after oral administration. Taken together, these results suggest that CHL is a potential chemopreventive agent.