Lycopene: a biologically important carotenoid for humans?

Area of Science:

• Nutritional biochemistry
• Carotenoid research
• Cancer chemoprevention

Background:

• Lycopene is a key carotenoid found in human plasma and tissues.
• It exhibits antioxidant properties, including singlet oxygen quenching and peroxyl radical scavenging.
• Lycopene does not possess provitamin A activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the biological activities and potential health effects of lycopene.
• To review the role of lycopene in cancer prevention, particularly prostate cancer.
• To discuss lycopene sources, bioavailability, and the presence of its oxidation products in human serum.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological studies on lycopene and cancer.
• Analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies on tumor cell growth.
• Examination of data on lycopene levels in human tissues and plasma.
• Identification of lycopene oxidation products in human serum.

Main Results:

• Lycopene demonstrates significant antioxidant activities.
• Epidemiological and cellular studies suggest a protective role against certain cancers, notably prostate cancer.
• Dietary sources are primarily tomatoes and tomato products, with variable bioavailability.
• Lycopene oxidation products have been detected in human serum.

Conclusions:

• Lycopene possesses beneficial biological activities, including antioxidant effects and potential cancer-protective properties.
• While evidence is promising, further investigation is required to substantiate the suggested health effects of lycopene.
• Understanding lycopene bioavailability and metabolism is crucial for its health applications.