LYCOPENE

Application

Lycopene has been used:to analyze its chemo-preventive effects on cutaneous tumors in in vitro mouse epidermal cell lineas a reference standard for quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyze antioxidant capacity of endogenous carotenoids in mammalian cell linesas a reference standard in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to identify carotenoids from engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Biochem/physiol Actions

Lycopene has been found to be active against oral cancer and to inhibit metastasis of human liver adenocarcinoma cells by down regulation of NOX4. Lycopene was also found to be a beneficial supplement for people with cardiovascular diseases.

Antioxidant micronutrient of tomatoes associated with decreased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Enhances gap juction communication between cells via upregulation of connexin 43 and reduces proliferation of cancer cells in culture. Inhibits cholesterol synthesis and enhances low-density lipoprotein degradation.

General description

Lycopene is a carotenoid found in many red fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, pink guava, and tomato. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant. It is suggested that lycopene is used by the plant to protect against reactive oxygen species (ROS).