CHEMOPREVENTIVE ACTIVITY OF CHLOROPHYLLIN AGAINST MOUSE SKIN CARCINOGENESIS BY BENZO[ALPHA]PYRENE AND BENZO[ALPHA]PYRENE-7,8-DIHYDRODIOL-9,10-EPOXIDE

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