Wheat grass and wound healing research
Lam & Brush. 1950. Chlorophyll and wound healing
Chlorophyll was used in an experiment with cutaneous wounds in guinea pigs, and in treating dermatome donor sites, clinical burns and surgical wounds and ulcers in human patients. Wound healing in guinea pigs showed acceleration in only 30% of cases, and did not enhance healing time for dermatome grafts. In clinical burns cases the chlorophyll ointment was a ‘satisfactory dressing’ but did not appear to contribute to wound healing.Kohler et al. 1939. The grass juice factor
The grass juice ‘factor’ was precipitated from grass juice or dehydrated grass by using acetone. It is necessary for the normal growth of rats and guinea pigs. Guinea pigs fed a rationed diet died in 3 to 10 weeks but when dehydrated grass was included in the same diet they grew normally.Carpenter. 1949. Clinical experiences with chlorophyll preparations
A clinical study using chlorophyll preparations to treat chronic osteomyelitis, osteomyelitis secondary to compound fractures and chronically infected wounds and ulcers. The study included many patients that had been resistant to other forms of therapy. The author considered chlorophyll preparations not necessarily a cure, but was interested to find ‘such rapid eradication of infection and healing of wounds’. Photos show epithelialization and healing of lesions, chronic ulcers and a ‘grossly infected amputation stump’. In many of the wound healing and ulcer cases there was no evidence of recurrence of infection or of breakdown at 18 months.Smith & Livingston. 1943. Chlorophyll. An experimental study of its water soluble derivatives in wound healing
Wound healing involves an inflammatory (exudative) phase and a proliferative tissue growth and repair phase that presumably involves growth stimulating factors. This study tested various water soluble chlorophyll preparations and other agents including vitamin ointments and sulfathiazole on wounds created by excising portions of skin from rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs. Response in rate of healing tended to be greater for chlorophyll than with other agents tested (the data is summarized in several tables not reproducible here). Conclusion: ‘On the basis of these observations it is suggested that chlorophyll preparations should be used much more extensively in the treatment of wounds and burns.’Bowers. 1947. Chlorophyll in wound healing and suppurative disease
Lieutenant Colonel Bowers of the US Army reports on the use of water-soluble derivatives of chlorophyll in over 400 cases over a period of nine months. He (and colleagues) noted several major effects, notably: loss of odour associated with infected wounds; a stimulating effect on tissue formation (granulation tissue) when used as a dressing particularly for burns; and a drying effect in the case of abscesses, sinus tracts, surface lesions and osteomyelitis. Mention is made of chlorophyll efficacy in treatment of cyst wounds, fistula-in-ano (6 cases), sarcoma/carcinoma (4 cases), ulcerative colitis (1 case), thoracic empyema (several cases, 2 particularly effective), gunshot wound sinus tracts (17 cases), decubitis ulcer (4 cases) and burns (4 patients). In 119 cases of compound fractures to limbs chlorophyll reduced odour and enhanced healing, in some cases with exceptional results, e.g. legs saved from seemingly inevitable amputation. Numerous other cases and conditions are mentioned. Chlorophyll was comfortable as a wet dressing and was easily tolerated by patients. The author “is convinced that chlorophyll is the best agent known for use in the treatment of suppurative diseases, indolent ulcers or wherever stimulation of tissue repair is desired..” although it is not presented as a cure-all.Smith. 1944. Chlorophyll: An experimental study of its water soluble derivatives
Reviews the chemistry of chlorophyll, including the structural formula (C 55H 72O 5N 4Mg) and provides a list of references. Chlorophyll can be obtained from leaves by extraction with acetone. Chlorophyll is similar to hemoglobin, but in hemoglobin iron is substituted for magnesium, globin is substituted for the phytyl radical, and at Carbon 4 ther is an allyl instead of en ethyl residue. Water-soluble chlorophyll is more preferable in clinical use than the oil-soluble form. This study examined the toxic effects of chlorophyll on rabbits with the solution being administered by mouth, intravenously, intraperitoneally and subcutaneously. There was a total absence of toxic effects. Chlorophyll is thought to produce an unfavourable environment for bacterial growth resulting in a bacteriostatic effect. It is important in the treatment of infected surface wounds and appears to contribute to rapid tissue repair.Brush & Lamb. 1942. The effect of the topical application of several substances on the healing of experimental cutaneous wounds
Wounds made on the abdominal wall of guinea pigs were treated with various substances, including chloramines, urea crystals and chlorophyll ointment. None were found to consistently exert an accelerating effect on wound healing. In the chlorophyll group 4 animals showed accelerated healing and 7 displayed no effect.Osborn. 1943. On the occurrence of antibacterial substances in green plants
A range of plants were tested for their antibacterial properties. Of the over 2000 species tested, extracts of 63 demonstrated inhibition of bacterial growth.Chernomorsky & Segelman. 1988. Review Article: Biological activities of chlorophyll derivatives
The authors review the anti-inflammatory, wound healing and odor reducing capabilities of chlorophyllin. Chlorophyllin has bacteriostatic properties aiding in wound healing, and stimulates the production of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in anemic animals. It has been used to treat various kinds of skin lesions, burns and ulcers where it acts as a wound healing agent, stimulating granulation tissue and epithelization. In some cases chronic ulcers failed to respond but use of novel preparations has aided in these cases. The mode of action is not well understood but the authors suggest it may involve the formation of complexes with proteins. Treatment with chlorophyll has been neglected in the past few decades as the use of steroids and antimicrobial products became more prevalent. New areas of application are suggested.Goldberg. 1943. The use of water soluble chlorophyll in oral sepsis
Water soluble chlorophyll was used to treat mouth infections and following ‘dramatic and satisfactory’ early results, over 300 cases of Vincent’s stomatitis and pyorrhea have been treated. In pyorrhea the use of chlorophyll resulted in cessation of bleeding from gums and growth of new tissue, and in Vincent’s stomatitis chlorophyll regularly brought about complete recovery and more promptly than with other agents. The non-toxic nature and soothing effect of chlorophyll is also beneficial.Gahan, Kline & Finkle. 1943. Chlorophyll in the treatment of ulcers
Provides some historical information concerning the isolation of chlorophyll and its use in stimulating tissue growth. Ulcers of the skin were treated topically with chlorophyll ointment and aqueous solution. 19 of 25 patients responded favourably to the treatment, with development of granulation tissue.With Permission from Dr Chris Reynolds M.B.,B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) www.wheatgrassprofessional.info
