Phytol (Acyclic Diterpene Alcohol · Chlorophyll Side Chain · Anti-inflammatory · Anxiolytic)
| Compound | Phytol |
| Chemical class | Terpenoid — Acyclic Diterpene Alcohol (Phytane skeleton) |
| CAS | 150-86-7 |
| Primary source | Chlorophyll (all green plants) — released by hydrolysis; Urtica dioica (nettle), spinach, green vegetables |
| Key applications | Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anxiolytic, geranylgeraniol precursor, vitamin E/K biosynthesis |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Chlorophyll-rich plant extracts (phytol as chlorophyll side chain); phytol isolate |
| Buy from Herbuno |
Nettle Root Extract Powder | Bichu Buti → Spinach Powder - Nutrient-Rich → |
Name origin: From Greek phyton (plant) — reflecting its universal occurrence in the plant kingdom as the hydrophobic side chain of chlorophyll. Phytol is an acyclic diterpene alcohol esterified to the porphyrin ring of chlorophyll a and b — it is released as free phytol when chlorophyll is hydrolysed (by chlorophyllase during leaf senescence or food processing). As a diterpene, phytol shares biosynthetic origins with geranylgeraniol (GGPP → phytol via reduction of the geranylgeranyl side chain). Traditional use: Green plant preparations rich in chlorophyll (nettle, spinach, wheatgrass, spirulina) have extensive traditional nutritional and medicinal use across global traditions for blood-building, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective applications. Phytol contributes to the therapeutic profile of these preparations alongside chlorophyll and other green plant bioactives. Research trajectory: Phytol has documented anti-inflammatory (NF-κB inhibition, 5-LOX blockade), antioxidant (Nrf2 activation), anxiolytic (GABA-A modulation), and anti-nociceptive properties in animal models. As a metabolic precursor to vitamins E and K (phytol → phytanic acid → PPAR-α activation; geranylgeraniol/GGOH → vitamin E), its biological importance extends beyond direct pharmacology. Commercial source: Nettle Root Extract and Spinach Powder from Herbuno provide phytol as a co-constituent of chlorophyll-containing plant extracts. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Phytol Applications
Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive: Phytol inhibits NF-κB, 5-LOX, and reduces prostaglandin E2 in cell models. In vivo anti-inflammatory and pain-relief effects in acetic acid writhing, hot plate, and carrageenan oedema animal models are documented at 25–100 mg/kg doses. The dual NF-κB and 5-LOX mechanism is relevant for comprehensive inflammation management. Claim strength: Moderate (animal data).
Anxiolytic: Phytol produces dose-dependent anxiolytic effects in animal models (elevated plus maze, open field test) comparable to diazepam at equivalent doses, via GABA-A receptor potentiation. No direct inhibitory effect on CNS locomotion (not sedating at anxiolytic doses). Claim strength: Moderate (animal data; no human RCT).
Antioxidant (Nrf2 activation): Phytol activates Nrf2 and induces HO-1 and NQO1 antioxidant enzymes. As a dietary diterpene alcohol from green vegetables, contributes to the overall cytoprotective antioxidant profile of chlorophyll-rich food consumption. Claim strength: Moderate.
Metabolic roles — vitamin E/K precursor: Phytol serves as a biosynthetic precursor to the phytyl side chains of vitamins E (tocopherols, tocotrienols) and K (phylloquinone, menaquinone) in plants. In human metabolism, dietary phytol is converted to phytanic acid (a ligand for PPAR-α and RXR) and is further metabolised via alpha-oxidation. Refsum’s disease patients cannot metabolise phytanic acid (accumulates to toxic levels) — relevant for formulation advisory. Claim strength: Moderate (metabolic role well-established).
Nettle Root Extract Powder | Bichu Buti →
Spinach Powder - Nutrient-Rich →
Browse Standardised Extract Powders →
Dosage & Formulator Specification
Dietary intake from green vegetable consumption: 100–200 mg/day phytol equivalent (as free phytol plus chlorophyll-esterified phytol released during digestion). Animal pharmacological studies: 25–100 mg/kg/day. For supplement formulations targeting phytol activity, concentrated chlorophyll extract (standardised to chlorophyll content, which co-delivers phytol upon hydrolysis) at 100–500 mg/day is the practical delivery approach. Phytol as an isolated compound is available from specialist chemical suppliers. Herbuno’s Nettle Root Extract and Spinach Powder provide phytol as a constituent of chlorophyll-rich botanical extracts — request chlorophyll content on CoA as a proxy for phytol co-delivery. ADVISORY: Individuals with Refsum’s disease (phytanoyl-CoA hydroxylase deficiency) cannot metabolise phytanic acid and should avoid high-phytol food supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions — Phytol
Is phytol the same as chlorophyll?
No — phytol is the diterpene alcohol side chain of the chlorophyll molecule. Chlorophyll is a complex porphyrin ring structure (magnesium-chelating) with phytol esterified to one of its carboxyl groups. When chlorophyll is hydrolysed (by enzymatic or digestive processes), free phytol is released. Phytol represents approximately 30% of the molecular weight of chlorophyll a. The two have related but distinct biological activities — chlorophyll has its own wound-healing and antimicrobial properties; phytol has its own anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic pharmacological profile.
Does consuming green vegetables provide pharmacologically relevant phytol doses?
Yes — green vegetables are the primary dietary source of phytol via chlorophyll hydrolysis during digestion. A high-green-vegetable diet provides 100–200 mg/day phytol. Animal pharmacological effective doses (25–100 mg/kg) extrapolate to 1.75–7 g/day for a 70 kg human — substantially above dietary intake. Isolated phytol supplementation would be required to reach pharmacological concentrations, though the dietary contribution may provide sub-pharmacological but consistent biological activity consistent with the health benefits of green vegetable consumption.
What is Refsum’s disease and why is phytol relevant?
Refsum’s disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of phytanoyl-CoA hydroxylase — the enzyme that initiates alpha-oxidation of phytanic acid (the primary phytol metabolite). Phytanic acid accumulates to toxic levels, causing peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, retinitis pigmentosa, and cardiac arrhythmia. Management requires a strict low-phytol (low green vegetable, low dairy fat) diet. High-dose phytol supplements would be contraindicated in Refsum’s disease patients — though the condition is very rare (prevalence approximately 1:1,000,000), standard advisory language for metabolic disorders affecting phytanic acid metabolism is appropriate.
Is phytol safe at supplement doses?
Phytol at dietary green vegetable intake levels is entirely safe (the human population consumes phytol continuously via green food consumption). At isolated supplement doses beyond dietary levels, the primary consideration is efficient phytanic acid metabolism — individuals with any inherited or acquired fatty acid metabolism disorder should consult a physician. For the general healthy population, phytol at typical chlorophyll extract supplement concentrations is considered safe with no established toxicity at standard doses.
Related compounds: Geranylgeraniol, Valencene, Artemisinin, Andrographolide
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
← HerbIQ Compound Index · HerbIQ P02: Extraction · HerbIQ P03: Delivery