Benefits of Lycopene

Livistona Chinensis

September 25, 2018

Magnolia Officinalis

September 25, 2018

Lycopene

Lycopene is an antioxidant that is present in red- and pink-colored fruits and vegetables, but primarily obtained from tomato's.

This amazing compound has been said to assist in preventing strokes, supporting the immune system, fighting diabetes, treating prostate cancer, and slowing down the aging process.

It is a compound that our body requires on a daily basis because it assists in many different health issues.

Anti-Cancer - We conducted a nested case-control study using plasma samples obtained in 1982 from healthy men enrolled in the Physicians’ Health Study, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of aspirin and β-carotene. Subjects included 578 men who developed prostate cancer within 13 years of follow-up and 1294 age- and smoking status-matched controls. We quantified the five major plasma carotenoid peaks (α- and β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and lycopene) plus α- and γ-tocopherol and retinol using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Lycopene was the only antioxidant found at significantly lower mean levels in cases than in matched controls (P = 0.04 for all cases).

These data provide further evidence that increased consumption of tomato products and other lycopene-containing foods might reduce the occurrence or progression of prostate cancer.

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The anticancer activity of lycopene, the major tomato carotenoid, has been suggested by in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological studies.

Collectively, the above data suggest that the inhibitory effects of lycopene on MCF7 cell growth are not due to the toxicity of the carotenoid but, rather, to interference in IGF-I receptor signaling and cell cycle progression.

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The epidemiologic literature in the English language regarding intake of tomatoes and tomato-based products and blood lycopene (a compound derived predominantly from tomatoes) level in relation to the risk of various cancers was reviewed.

Numerous other potentially beneficial compounds are present in tomatoes, and, conceivably, complex interactions among multiple components may contribute to the anticancer properties of tomatoes. The consistently lower risk of cancer for a variety of anatomic sites that is associated with higher consumption of tomatoes and tomato-based products adds further support for current dietary recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

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We conducted a clinical trial to investigate the biological and clinical effects of lycopene supplementation in patients with localized prostate cancer.

This pilot study suggests that lycopene may have beneficial effects in prostate cancer. Larger clinical trials are Warranted to investigate the potential preventive and/or therapeutic role of lycopene in prostate cancer.

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We systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE and contacted authors to identify potential studies. Log relative risks (RRs) were weighed by the inverse of their variances to obtain a pooled estimate with its 95% confidence interval (CI). Logistic regression and Poisson regression analyses were used to determine the effect produced by a daily intake of one serving of tomato product.

Our results show that tomato products may play a role in the prevention of prostate cancer. However, this effect is modest and restricted to high amounts of tomato intake. Further research is needed to determine the type and quantity of tomato products with respect to their role in preventing prostate cancer.

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We tested lycopene and vitamin E in the Dunning prostate cancer model to prove their efficacy in prostate cancer (PCA) prevention and to identify the mechanisms by which these nutrients reduce the risk of PCA, as observed in epidemiology.

Consistent evidence from epidemiological studies associates high intakes of vitamin E or lycopene with a reduced risk in prostate cancer. In our study of the rat Dunning prostate tumor model, lycopene and vitamin E accumulated in tumor tissue and increased necrosis of tumor tissue. We report for the first time that lycopene interfered with the prostate-specific endocrine loop of local testosterone activation and androgen signaling.

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Anti-Proliferative - The antiproliferative properties of lycopene, the major tomato carotenoid, were compared with those of α‐ and β‐carotene.

The inhibitory effect of lycopene was detected after 24 hours of incubation, and it was maintained for at least three days. In contrast to cancer cells, human fibroblasts were less sensitive to lycopene, and the cells gradually escaped growth inhibition over time.

In addition to its inhibitory effect on basal endometrial cancer cell proliferation, lycopene also suppressed insulin‐like growth factor‐I‐stimulated growth.

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Antioxidant - Dietary intakes of tomatoes and tomato products containing lycopene have been shown to be associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases in several recent studies.

Although the antioxidant properties of lycopene are thought to be primarily responsible for its beneficial properties, evidence is accumulating to suggest other mechanisms such as modulation of intercellular gap junction communication, hormonal and immune system and metabolic pathways may also be involved.

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