Chlorophyll may become a new anti-diabetes drug

Today, diabetes is treated with proven methods, from insulin therapy and metformin to GLP-1 receptor agonists. But interest in natural compounds is growing, and researchers are increasingly considering them as a possible addition to standard treatment regimens.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases, and the number of patients worldwide continues to grow. In both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, insulin is disrupted: the body either does not produce it at all or does not respond to it properly. This leads to chronic hyperglycemia and severe complications. Despite the effectiveness of traditional treatment methods, many patients resort to additional dietary and herbal remedies.

According to the review, chlorophyll and its derivatives can affect carbohydrate metabolism in several ways at once. They slow down the breakdown of starch in the intestine, make glucose absorption more gradual, and in some cases mimic the action of insulin by stimulating the absorption of sugar by muscle cells and adipose tissue. Animal experiments have shown that chlorophyll supplements improve glucose tolerance, reduce obesity-related inflammation, and positively affect the gut microbiota.

Scientists pay special attention to a derivative compound, pheophorbide A. It not only blocks the enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase (the same way some modern drugs work), but also exhibits the properties of an “insulinomimetic”, that is, it can directly stimulate glucose transport into cells. The results of computer modeling also confirm the prospects of these compounds for the development of new antidiabetic agents.

Nevertheless, the researchers emphasize the need for caution. Some chlorophyll derivatives have a strong photosensitizing effect, which can cause phototoxic skin reactions. There have already been cases of side effects in people taking chlorophyll-containing supplements. Therefore, before talking about medical use, a strict safety assessment is necessary.