Investigating into anti-cancer potential of lycopene: Molecular targets

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Molecular Oncology
• Phytochemistry

Background:

• Lycopene, the primary pigment in tomatoes, is a potent antioxidant carotenoid with unique chemical properties.
• Despite its antioxidant capacity, lycopene has received limited research attention until recently.
• Emerging research highlights lycopene's potential anticancer effects beyond its antioxidant and detoxification roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the latest scientific literature on lycopene's anticancer mechanisms.
• To identify the molecular targets and pathways through which lycopene inhibits carcinogenesis.
• To assess lycopene's potential as a functional pigment in cancer prevention.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of scientific databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar) up to October 2020.
• Screening of retrieved citations for relevance to lycopene's anticancer activities and mechanisms.
• Synthesis of findings regarding lycopene's effects on tumor development and molecular pathways.

Main Results:

• Lycopene demonstrates significant anticancer effects by inhibiting cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
• Its mechanisms involve regulating key signal transduction pathways, including PI3K/Akt.
• Lycopene modulates insulin-like growth factors, suppresses sex steroid hormone activity, alters gene expression, and affects mitochondrial function.

Conclusions:

• Lycopene exhibits promising functional properties as a natural pigment with significant anticancer potential.
• Its molecular mechanisms target critical aspects of tumor development.
• Further research supports lycopene's association with a decreased risk of various cancers.