What Is Lycopene? Other Names: All-Trans Lycopene, Licopeno, Psi-Psi-Carotene

What is Lycopene?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid found abundantly in red fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, watermelons, and pink grapefruits. It is renowned for its potent antioxidant properties and has been the subject of extensive research due to its potential health benefits. This article delves into the various aspects of lycopene, including its bioavailability, health benefits, and mechanisms of action. Other names include: All-Trans Lycopene, All-Trans Lycopène, Cis-Lycopène, Licopeno, Lycopène, Lycopenes, Lycopènes, Psi-Psi-Carotene, Psi-Psi-Carotène, (6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E,20E,22E,24E,26E)-2,6,10,14,19,23,27,31-octamethyldotriaconta-2,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,30-tridecaene.

Bioavailability of Lycopene

Lycopene from fresh and unprocessed tomatoes is poorly absorbed by humans. However, its absorption is significantly higher from processed foods such as tomato paste and tomato juice heated in oil. A study developed a food-grade lycopene formulation named “lactolycopene,” which demonstrated similar bioavailability to that from tomato paste in humans4. This formulation entrapped lycopene with whey proteins, enhancing its absorption and maintaining plasma lycopene levels effectively.

Health Benefits of Lycopene

Cardiovascular Health

Lycopene-rich diets have been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Lycopene circulates in the blood bound to lipoproteins, including high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). Increased consumption of tomato-based foods or lycopene supplements in middle-aged subjects led to functional changes in HDL sub-fractions, enhancing their anti-atherogenic properties and reducing systemic inflammation6.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Lycopene has shown promise in preventing and treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Studies have demonstrated that lycopene can ameliorate NAFLD by regulating the hepatic NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and modulating gut microbiota composition in mice fed a high-fat and high-fructose diet1. Additionally, lycopene supplementation in obese rats improved hepatic antioxidant capacity and reduced inflammation, further supporting its therapeutic potential for NAFLD9.

Obesity and Metabolic Disorders

Lycopene and tomato powder supplementation have been found to inhibit high-fat diet-induced obesity, inflammatory response, and associated metabolic disorders. Both lycopene and tomato powder significantly reduced adiposity, improved glucose homeostasis, and decreased proinflammatory cytokine expression in the liver and adipose tissue5.

Immune Function

Lycopene exhibits immunoprotective activities by alleviating aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced immunosuppression. It enhances spleen weight, T lymphocyte subsets, and the contents of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in serum. Lycopene also inhibits oxidative stress and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the spleen, indicating its potential to bolster immune function2.

Prostate Health

Lycopene has been investigated for its role in chemoprevention of prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). A pilot study showed that lycopene supplementation in elderly men with BPH decreased serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and inhibited prostate enlargement, suggesting its beneficial effects in managing prostate health7.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Lycopene’s antioxidant properties have been demonstrated in various studies. It protects against oxidative stress-induced damage in different tissues, including the lungs exposed to cigarette smoke and the spleen affected by environmental pollutants. Lycopene supplementation reduced lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and inflammation, highlighting its potential as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent10 8.

Cataract Prevention

Lycopene has also been evaluated for its anticataract potential. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that lycopene supplementation restored antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced the incidence of cataract development in experimental models, suggesting its role in cataract prevention3.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Adverse Effects of Lycopene

Histological and Biochemical Changes in Chickens

High lycopene concentration in the diet of broiler chickens led to weight decrease and degenerative lesions in the spleen and bursa of Fabricius. It also reduced serum protein concentration, albumin, and globulin levels1 2.

Potential Protective Effects Against Toxins

Lycopene showed protective effects against Aflatoxin B1-induced nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity in rats, indicating its role in mitigating toxin-induced damage rather than causing adverse effects3.

Lycopene pre- and post-treatment alleviated oxytetracycline-induced oxidative stress and immunosuppression in rainbow trout, suggesting its protective rather than adverse role in this context4.

No Significant Adverse Effects in Human Study

In a study involving lycopene-enriched ice cream, no adverse biochemical changes were observed in humans. Instead, lycopene reduced inflammatory oxidative damage and did not cause adverse skin effects5.

Protective Effects in Mice Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Lycopene reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in mice lungs exposed to cigarette smoke, showing its protective properties rather than adverse effects6.

Mitigation of Environmental Pollutant Effects

Lycopene supplementation protected against di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced splenic injury in mice, indicating its protective role against environmental pollutants7.

Reduction of Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury

Lycopene pretreatment improved redox imbalance and reduced liver injury induced by acetaminophen in mice, highlighting its protective antioxidant effects8.

Protection Against Gastric Ulcers

Lycopene administration decreased oxidative stress and DNA damage in rats with indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers, suggesting its protective role in gastric health9.

Improvement of Intestinal Barrier Function

Lycopene improved intestinal barrier function and gut microbiota in weaned piglets, indicating beneficial effects on gut health rather than adverse outcomes10.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

How has Lycopene Improved Patient Outcomes?

Cardiovascular Health

Lycopene supplementation improves endothelial function in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) but not in healthy volunteers1 6 8.

Lycopene reduces oxidative stress and inflammation markers, enhances tissue oxygenation, and improves flow-mediated dilation in CVD patients6 8.

Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF)

Lycopene significantly alleviates symptoms such as burning sensation and reduced mouth opening in OSMF patients, with better results observed upon retreatment2 7.

Lycopene reduces the frequency of buccal micro-nucleated cells, indicating its antigenotoxic effects in OSMF patients7.

High-Grade Gliomas

Lycopene supplementation shows potential therapeutic benefits in the adjuvant management of high-grade gliomas, with higher overall response rates and longer time to progression compared to placebo3.

Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)

Lycopene supplementation in prostate cancer patients results in smaller tumor sizes, less involvement of surgical margins, and lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels4.

In BPH patients, lycopene reduces PSA levels, inhibits prostate enlargement, and improves disease symptoms5.

Oral Leukoplakia

Lycopene is effective in treating oral leukoplakia, with higher doses showing better clinical and histological responses compared to lower doses and placebo10.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Lycopene Mechanisms of Action

Antioxidant Activity and Reduction of Oxidative Stress

Lycopene reduces oxidative stress by lowering levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO), and by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT)1 2 8.

It also increases the levels of reduced glutathione, which helps in mitigating oxidative damage1.

Modulation of Inflammatory Pathways

Lycopene suppresses inflammation by downregulating the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, which reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-64 9.

It also inhibits the COX-2 signaling pathway, further contributing to its anti-inflammatory effects9.

Activation of Nrf2 Pathway

Lycopene activates the Nrf2 signaling pathway, which enhances the expression of detoxifying and antioxidant genes such as quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO1)2 8 9.

This activation leads to increased detoxification and protection against oxidative damage2 8.

Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis

Lycopene induces cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and promotes apoptosis in cancer cells, particularly in prostate cancer cells, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation3 5.

It also affects protein expression related to apoptosis and growth inhibition in primary prostatic epithelial cells10.

Autophagy and AMPK Activation

Lycopene triggers autophagy by activating the AMPK pathway, which helps in cellular cleanup and maintenance, particularly in the context of nephrotoxicity and other cellular stresses2.

Mitochondrial Protection and Insulin Sensitivity

Lycopene improves mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity, which helps in reducing systemic inflammation and synaptic dysfunction6.

Protection Against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury

Lycopene prevents hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury by inhibiting calpain activation and reducing intracellular ROS levels, thereby protecting cardiomyocytes7.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Common Complaints Associated with Lycopene Use

No Adverse Effects Reported: The study did not report any specific complaints or adverse effects associated with lycopene supplementation. Instead, it highlighted the beneficial effects of lycopene in reducing adiposity, improving glucose homeostasis, and decreasing inflammatory responses in the context of a high-fat diet1.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate attention from a healthcare provider.