lycopene

Lycopene is a naturally occurring red carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, apricots, and other fruits and vegetables. It is a non-provitamin A carotenoid with no vitamin A activity. Lycopene acts as a powerful antioxidant that scavenges free radicals and protects cells from oxidative damage. Its mechanisms of action include antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory activity (such as reducing TNF-alpha and C-reactive protein), modulation of cyclooxygenase pathways, induction of apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest in cancer cells, inhibition of lipid synthesis via multiple metabolic pathways (including PPARα activation), and regulation of growth factor signaling. Lycopene has been investigated for its potential benefits in preventing or treating cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis), various cancers (notably prostate cancer), asthma, human papillomavirus infection, cataracts, alcoholic liver disease (by inhibiting CYP2E1), obesity-related inflammation, exercise-induced asthma, oral leukoplakia, gum disease (gingivitis), sun damage protection to skin cells from UV radiation injury by quenching singlet oxygen species[1][2][3][4][5][6][8].

Brand names

LycoRed

Other names

red carotenoid pigment