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Role of lycopene in the control of ROS-mediated cell growth: implications in cancer prevention

P Palozza1, N Parrone, R Simone

  • 1Institute of General Pathology, Catholic University, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. p.palozza@rm.unicatt.it

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|April 7, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Lycopene, found in tomatoes, may protect against chronic diseases by acting as a redox agent. It modulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) to influence cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis, potentially preventing oxidative damage and cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Dietary lycopene from tomatoes is linked to reduced chronic disease risk, including cancer.
  • Potential mechanisms include immune modulation and gap junction communication.
  • Emerging evidence suggests lycopene acts as a redox agent, controlling reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of lycopene as a redox agent in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
  • To examine lycopene's prevention of oxidative damage and its influence on cell growth.
  • To explore lycopene's modulation of redox-sensitive molecular targets in cell signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing evidence on lycopene's biological activities.
  • Focus on lycopene's interaction with reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • Analysis of lycopene's effects on cellular processes and signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Lycopene acts as a redox agent, influencing cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
  • It prevents cellular oxidative damage and modulates cell growth.
  • Lycopene affects key redox-sensitive signaling molecules including growth factors, transcription factors (NF-kB, AP-1), and cytokines.

Conclusions:

  • Lycopene's redox properties are central to its beneficial effects on cell biology.
  • It plays a significant role in regulating cell growth and preventing oxidative stress.
  • Lycopene may have a role in cancer prevention through its redox modulation of cellular processes.

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