Antigenotoxicity and antimutagenicity of lycopene in HepG2 cell line evaluated by the comet assay and micronucleus test
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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
Comet Assay as an Indirect Measure of Systemic Oxidative Stress
Published on: May 22, 2015
C Scolastici1, R O Alves de Lima, L F Barbisan
1Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, UNESP, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Epidemiological studies have provided evidence that high consumption of tomatoes effectively reduces the risk of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated diseases such as cancer. Tomatoes are rich sources of lycopene, a potent singlet oxygen-quenching carotenoid. In addition to its antioxidant properties, lycopene shows an array of biological effects including antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities. In the present study, the chemopreventive action of lycopene was examined on DNA damage and clastogenic or aneugenic effects of H2O2 and n-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) in the metabolically competent human hepatoma cell line (HepG2 cells). Lycopene at concentrations of 10, 25, and 50 microM, was tested under three protocols: before, simultaneously, and after treatment with the mutagen, using the comet and micronucleus assays. Lycopene significantly reduced the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of H2O2 in all of the conditions tested. For DEN, significant reductions of primary DNA damage (comet assay) were detected when the carotenoid (all of the doses) was added in the cell culture medium before or simultaneously with the mutagen. In the micronucleus test, the protective effect of lycopene was observed only when added prior to DEN treatment. In conclusion, our results suggest that lycopene is a suitable agent for preventing chemically-induced DNA and chromosome damage.
Insights
Lycopene, found in tomatoes, protects against DNA damage and mutations caused by reactive oxygen species and chemicals. This study shows lycopene prevents chemically-induced DNA and chromosome damage, highlighting its chemopreventive potential.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional biochemistry
- Molecular toxicology
- Chemoprevention research
Background:
- Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties.
- Lycopene exhibits antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated diseases, including cancer, are linked to diet.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemopreventive action of lycopene.
- To assess lycopene's effects on DNA damage and clastogenicity induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and n-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN).
- To evaluate lycopene's protective effects in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2).
Main Methods:
- Utilized the comet assay to measure primary DNA damage.
- Employed the micronucleus test to assess clastogenic and aneugenic effects.
- Tested lycopene (10, 25, 50 microM) before, during, and after mutagen treatment (H2O2 and DEN).
Main Results:
- Lycopene significantly reduced H2O2-induced genotoxicity and mutagenicity under all tested conditions.
- Lycopene significantly reduced DEN-induced primary DNA damage when applied before or simultaneously with DEN.
- Lycopene demonstrated protective effects in the micronucleus test only when administered prior to DEN exposure.
Conclusions:
- Lycopene effectively mitigates chemically-induced DNA damage and chromosome aberrations.
- The timing of lycopene application influences its protective efficacy against specific mutagens.
- Results suggest lycopene is a promising agent for preventing DNA damage.
