Warfarin-chlorophyll herb-drug interactions

Abstract

Warfarin is one of the most commonly prescribed anticoagulants for preventing the formation of blood clots to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and other serious conditions. Warfarin belongs to a group of vitamin K antagonists that has a narrow therapeutic index, slow onset of action and significant drug-drug, herb-drug interactions. Its unpredictable doseresponse relationship can increase risks of bleeding complications or inadequate anticoagulation. Consumption of foods and nutritional supplements rich in vitamin K can interfere with warfarin treatment because vitamin K can reduce the warfarin's effectiveness and potentially increase the risk of blood clots. There are chlorophyll products that are claimed to be beneficial to health when taken as a supplement in solid or liquid forms. Chlorophyll products are now increasingly distributed all over the world. These products make patients and healthcare providers confused about how they affect the effectiveness of warfarin treatment because they are derived from green vegetables, which have been known to cause significant herb-drug interactions. This review provides some information about chlorophylls and chlorophyll products that can potentially interact with warfarin, and some forms, such as chlorophyll drops or chlorophyll water, that can be taken safely because they contain the lowest amount of vitamin K.

Profile of chlorophylls and carotenoids of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) microgreens

“…The Chl content is sufficiently high enough to exert potential health benefits in human. Daily consumption of 100-300 mg of Chl have been proven to beneficial to various health disorders including various types of cancers in human (Siriwatanametanon 2017). The peak concentration of total Chl was not achieved in the study period, but the rate of accumulation was achieved.…”