Therapeutic and medicinal uses of lycopene: a systematic review

Abstract

Lycopene is a carotenoid present in fruits and vegetables. The richest sources of lycopene are tomatoes and tomato products. The beneficial effects of lycopene in human health and disease are mainly associated with its antioxidant properties. Lycopene is a carotenoid with strongest antioxidant property because of its capability of quenching the singlet oxygen. Eleven conjugated double bonds of lycopene give it a deep red color and are responsible for its antioxidant activity which is major functional feature of lycopene. Dietary intakes of tomatoes and tomato products containing lycopene have been shown to be associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases in numerous studies. Although there are evidences from many epidemiological and cell culture and animal studies explaining the inverse relationship between lycopene and cancer or cardiovascular disease risk, more clinical trial data is needed to support this hypothesis. In this article we outline the possible mechanisms of action of lycopene and review the current understanding of its role in human health and disease prevention.

Lycopene as a Natural Antioxidant Used to Prevent Human Health Disorders

“…In recent years, there has been an ever-increasing interest in lycopene's health benefits. It is not only a potent antioxidant; its beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases have been assessed and approved by many systematic reviews and meta-analysis studies [12].…”

Tomato Role on Seven Deadliest Non-Communicable Disease

“…The low level of free radicals and the low incidence of ischemic heart disease in Italy are related to tomatoes' consumption in Italian society (Joshi et al, 2020). Active ingredients such as lycopene in tomatoes are associated with ischemic heart disease incidence where low serum lycopene concentrations increase the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT) as evidenced in a 4-year study with 2682 subjects as well as in other studies (Joshi et al, 2020).…”

“…The low level of free radicals and the low incidence of ischemic heart disease in Italy are related to tomatoes' consumption in Italian society (Joshi et al, 2020). Active ingredients such as lycopene in tomatoes are associated with ischemic heart disease incidence where low serum lycopene concentrations increase the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT) as evidenced in a 4-year study with 2682 subjects as well as in other studies (Joshi et al, 2020). The decrease in intracellular cholesterol levels is due to modulation of LDL receptors, modulation of acyl-coenzyme A, and inhibition of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase by lycopene so that the course of CVD is slow and reduces risk factors for ischemic heart disease.…”

“…Oxidized LDL in the walls of blood vessels will also inhibit nitric oxide, so that blood pressure regulation through vasodilation is also disrupted and results in high blood pressure. A week-long tomato intervention on healthy youth in America resulted in serum lipid peroxidation and LDL oxidation decreased significantly (Joshi et al, 2020). The efficacy of tomatoes to lower risk factor for these diseases is still limited in vivo but has been widely demonstrated in vitro and epidemiology.…”

“…One risk factor that can be changed is dietary. Changes in risk factors can prevent the occurrence of non-communicable diseases and aid in healing or improving prognosis in individuals with non-communicable diseases (Joshi et al, 2020).…”