Tomato Lycopene and Inflammatory Cascade: Basic Interactions and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Lycopene, a natural carotenoid found in tomato, has been reported to possess various health benefits, such as cardiovascular and cancer preventive properties. However, the experimental basis for such health benefits is not fully understood. One of the possible mechanisms for its protective activities is by down-regulation of the inflammatory response. That includes the inhibition of pivotal pro-inflammatory mediators, such as the reduction of reactive oxygen species, the inhibition of synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, changes in the expression of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, modifications of eicosanoid synthesis, and modulation of signal transduction pathways, including that of the inducible nitric oxide synthase via its inhibitory effects on Nuclear Factor-kB (NF-kB), Activated protein-1 (AP-1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Recent data suggest that lycopene also exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through induction of programmed cell death in activated immune cells. This review will discuss recent data on the control of inflammatory signaling exerted by tomato lycopene in isolated cells, in animal models and in clinical trials, focusing on the dose of the carotenoid and the biological environment in which it acts. A clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms of action of lycopene is crucial in the valuation of this molecule as a potential preventive and therapeutic agent.

Organic versus conventional tomatoes: Influence on physicochemical parameters, bioactive compounds and sensorial attributes

“…These compounds have been associated with several health benefits encompassing the ability to protect the body against cancer (Bhuvaneswari and Nagini, 2005), reducing inflammation (Palozza et al, 2010), and decreasing the amount of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream (Ried and Fakler, 2011). Table 2 summarizes the influence of the farming method in the contents of all of these phytonutrients for the various fractions of the tomatoes.…”

Carotenoid intake does not affect immune-stimulated oxidative burst in greenfinches

“…Superoxide interacts with other molecules to generate more noxious reactive species such as peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid. These compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of biotoxicity and thus form a crucial component of innate immunity, serving as the first line of defence against microbial infection (reviewed by He et al, 2007;Palozza et al, 2010). However, prolonged production of high levels of ROS, as in chronic inflammations, can cause intense oxidative stress, leading to the accumulation of oxidative damage in tissues (e.g.…”

Use of Lycopene in the Management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis:A Clinical Study

“…The improvement in mouth opening observed in our study can be attributed to two reasons: One is Lycopene exerts its antiinflammatory action by increasing the lymphocyte resistance to stress [12] inhibition of pivotal pro-inflammatory mediators, such as the reduction of reactive oxygen species, the inhibition of synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, changes in the expression of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, modifications of eicosanoid synthesis, and modulation of signal transduction pathways, including that of the inducible nitric oxide synthase. [13] Second is Lycopene has been shown to inhibit hepatic fibrogenesis in LET rats by Kitade et al [14] A similar action may be expected in OSF.…”