The Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Chlorophylls and Pheophytins

Abstract

Chlorophylls are important antioxidants found in foods. We explored the mechanisms through which the a and b forms of chlorophyll and of pheophytin (the Mg-chelated form of chlorophyll) reduce oxidation: we used comet assay to measure prevention of H 2 O 2 DNA damage; we tested for quenching of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); we measured the ability to chelate Fe(II); and, we tested their ability to prevent formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) during Cu-mediated peroxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in a chemical assay. All chlorophylls and pheophytins showed significant dose-dependent activity in the assays, with the pheophytins being the strongest antioxidants. Thus, these chemicals can prevent oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation both by reducing reactive oxygen species, such as DPPH, and by chelation of metal ions, such as Fe(II), which can form reactive oxygen species.

Compare the Chlorophyll Amount in Three Brown Algae Species of the Persian Gulf by Using Three Solvents and Applying Two Formulas

“…Also, chlorophyll can act as a powerful antioxidant and reducers of free radicals, prevents the destruction of lymphocytes [3] against carcinogens and protects the body from the lipid peroxidation of low density lipoprotein [9]. Although there is the chlorophyll a in all algae groups, in the present study it was observed that the amount of chlorophyll a in different species depends on the type of solvent to extract them.…”

“…According to medical science, foods that contain chlorophyll can be wiped the blood flow, relieved the bad breath, deactivated the carcinogenic substance and prevented the tooth decay [3]. So, the presence of chlorophyll and its extraction is very important.…”

Antioxidants and Their Importance During Muscular Exercise: A Review

“…Green, leafy vegetables collect light and energy by photosynthesis, and transform it into a powerful compound called chlorophyll. Sunlight and chlorophyll are our best friends [1,44,96,97]. The basic structure of chlorophyll is a porphyrin ring similar to that of heme in hemoglobin, although the central atom in chlorophyll is magnesium instead of iron.…”

“…This antioxidant action can provide many of the benefits of eating vegetables and fruits that contain chlorophylls. As an antioxidants and health supplements chlorophylls prevent the formation of free radicals caused by oxidation of molecules and neutralize existing free radicals, making them harmless [97,101].…”

“…In these naturally occurring chlorophylls the functional group of C7, a -CH3 or a -CHO group, define the a and b forms of chlorophyll, respectively. These naturally occurring a and b derivatives of chlorophyll are present in plants as breakdown products and as the products of chlorophyll digestion [1,44,97]. Chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic mixture of sodium copper salts derived from chlorophyll.…”