The anti-carcinogenic role of lycopene, abundantly present in tomato

Use of Single-cell Gel Electrophoresis Assays in Dietary Intervention Trials

The single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) technique has been frequently used to investigate the impact of consumption of complex foods and individual constituents on DNA stability in humans. Since no division or cultivation of the indicator cells (in most studies lymphocytes) is required, this approach is less costly and time consuming than cytogenetic methods. Apart from single- and double-stand breaks and apurinic sites, which can be detected under standard conditions, it is also possible to assess the formation of oxidized DNA bases and alterations of DNA repair as well as protection of the DNA against chemical carcinogens. In total, 93 studies have been published since the first use of the Comet assay in this field in 1997. The results which emerged from these studies show that human foods contain specific highly protective components (e.g. gallic acid, xanthohumol, isoflavones); promising results were also obtained with beverages (coffee and other drinks), while mixed diets with vegetables and fruits conferred no or moderate protection; however, individual plant foods (e.g. kiwis and specific cruciferous vegetables) were highly protective. It is notable that prevention of DNA damage was rarely detected under standard conditions while evidence for reduced formation of oxidized DNA bases was found in approximately 30% of the trials. In some investigations it was possible to identify the modes of action by which specific compounds prevented damage of the genetic material in additional mechanistic experiments. The currently available data show that SCGE assays are a valuable tool for identifying dietary factors which improve the stability of the genetic material and prevent adverse health effects which are causally related to DNA damage.

Tomato juice consumption improves blood antioxidative biomarkers in overweight and obese females

BACKGROUND & AIMS

A few studies reported the beneficial effects of tomato juice on oxidative stress status. However, supporting data in obese subjects is scarce. This study aimed to determine the effects of tomato juice consumption on erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) in overweight and obese females.

METHODS

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 overweight or obese (BMI = 25 kg/m(2) or higher) female students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Subjects randomly received tomato juice (n = 32, 330 ml/d) or water (n = 28) for 20 days. Daily dietary intake, anthropometric measures and blood antioxidant parameters were determined at the beginning and after 20 days intervention period.

RESULTS

Plasma TAC and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes increased and serum MDA decreased in the intervention group compared with baseline and with the control group (p < 0.05). In the intervention group, similar results were found in overweight, but not in obese, subjects.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that tomato juice reduces oxidative stress in overweight (and possibly obese) females and, therefore, may prevent from obesity related diseases and promote health.

Lycopene protects against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial dysfunction in primary neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes plays an important role in myocardial injury. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant carotenoid that has been shown to have protective properties on cardiovascular system. The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential for lycopene to protect the cardiomyocytes exposed to H/R. Moreover, the effect on mitochondrial function upon lycopene exposure was assessed.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from neonatal mouse and established an in vitro model of H/R which resembles ischemia/reperfusion in vivo. The pretreatment of cardiomyocytes with 5 µM lycopene significantly reduced the extent of apoptosis detected by TUNEL assays. To further study the mechanism underlying the benefits of lycopene, interactions between lycopene and the process of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis were examined. Lycopene pretreatment of cardiomyocytes suppressed the activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) by reducing the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inhibiting the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels caused by H/R. Moreover, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, a decline in cellular ATP levels, a reduction in the amount of cytochrome c translocated to the cytoplasm and caspase-3 activation were observed in lycopene-treated cultures.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggested that lycopene possesses great pharmacological potential in protecting against H/R-induced apoptosis. Importantly, the protective effects of lycopene may be attributed to its roles in improving mitochondrial function in H/R-treated cardiomyocytes.

Protective effect of lycopene on oxidative stress and cognitive decline in rotenone induced model of Parkinson's disease

Evidence from clinical and experimental studies indicate that oxidative stress is involved in pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. The present study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective potential of lycopene on oxidative stress and neurobehavioral abnormalities in rotenone induced PD. Rats were treated with rotenone (3 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) for 30 days. NADH dehydrogenase a marker of rotenone action was observed to be significantly inhibited (35%) in striatum of treated animals. However, lycopene administration (10 mg/kg, orally) to the rotenone treated animals for 30 days increased the activity by 39% when compared to rotenone treated animals. Rotenone administration increased the MDA levels (75.15%) in striatum, whereas, lycopene administration to rotenone treated animals decreased the levels by 24.33%. Along with this, significant decrease in GSH levels (42.69%) was observed in rotenone treated animals. Lycopene supplementation on the other hand, increased the levels of GSH by 75.35% when compared with rotenone treated group. The activity of SOD was inhibited by 69% in rotenone treated animals and on lycopene supplementation; the activity increased by 12% when compared to controls. This was accompanied by cognitive and motor deficits in rotenone administered animals, which were reversed on lycopene treatment. Lycopene treatment also prevented release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Collectively, these observations suggest that lycopene supplementation along with rotenone for 30 days prevented rotenone-induced alterations in antioxidants along with the prevention of rotenone induced oxidative stress and neurobehavioral deficits. The results provide an evidence for beneficial effect of lycopene supplementation in rotenone-induced PD and suggest therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases involving accentuated oxidative stress.

Modulatory influence of garlic and tomato on cyclooxygenase-2 activity, cell proliferation and apoptosis during azoxymethane induced colon carcinogenesis in rat

Preventive intervention of colorectal cancer has become essential as a major portion of the population may develop the disease at some points during their lives. Diet and nutrition play an important role during this multistep colon carcinogenic process. Inhibitory activity of aqueous suspensions of garlic and tomato, individually and in combination, were tested on azoxymethane induced colon carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats. The effect was observed on aberrant crypt foci (ACF), the preneoplastic lesion. To investigate the mechanism of action of the agents used, cell proliferation and the level of apoptosis were determined and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein was analyzed in the colon. Following treatment, significant inhibition of the level of cell proliferation (P<0.01 in garlic; P<0.001 in tomato and P<0.001 in combination treatment group with respect to the carcinogen control group), significant induction of apoptosis (P<0.01 in garlic treated; P<0.01 in tomato treated and P<0.001 in combination treatment group with respect to the carcinogen control group) and suppression of COX-2 expression among the treated groups resulted in significant reduction in the incidences of ACF (by 45.27% in garlic, 68.24% in tomato and 71.62% in combination treatment group). The preventive effect was better when the combination of garlic and tomato was administered in comparison to the individual treatment groups, suggesting the synergistic action of garlic and tomato.

A short and efficient synthesis of crocetin-dimethylester and crocetindial

In this paper we describe an efficient six-step synthesis of crocetin-dimethylester that could be further reduced to a "four-step" synthesis through the use of in situ procedures. The simplicity of the whole process, the ready availability of starting materials, and the high overall yield render this strategy a very attractive synthesis of this very important compound, which is the key intermediate for the synthesis of several carotenoids and other polyene natural products.

Complementary and alternative medicine in otolaryngology

The widespread interest in and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by patients in the United States has been established by multiple surveys. One-third of the U.S. population uses some form of CAM, and an estimated 23 billion dollars is spent annually on these therapies. Because of prevalent usage of CAM among patients, it is important that physicians have some knowledge of this subject. With this purpose in mind, this report reviews the current research on CAM as it relates to common disorders of the head and neck: rhinitis, sinusitis, tinnitus, vertigo, and head and neck oncology.

Response of Escherichia coli Containing Mycobacterial Carotene Genes to UV Radiation

The plasmid pC5, which encodes biogenesis of lycopene in Mycobacterium aurum A(+), was partially digested by restriction endonucleases and generated fragments were cloned. After transformation of Escherichia coli (colorless bacteria) with the plasmids so constructed, seven orange clones were detected and found to carry the same recombinant plasmid (pC51). E. coli cells containing this plasmid synthesize neurosporene and lycopene, and were more resistant to ultraviolet irradiation than non pigmented strain.

Association between malignant tumors of the thyroid gland and exposure to environmental protective and risk factors

Risk factors for thyroid carcinomas and adenomas were investigated using a standard questionnaire in a case-control study in Southwestern Germany, a known iodine deficiency area. A clinical registry, set up after the Chernobyl accident at the University hospital Mannheim, served as the basis for 174 incident cases of each diagnostic group. Interview data were compared within and with prevalences from a population-based matched control group of equal size from the entire area. The protective role of coffee drinking and the consumption of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, were confirmed for both genders. A high consumption of tomatoes (> 200/year) was associated with an elevated risk of > 2.5 for malignant tumors but not for benign tumors in both genders. In both genders, both treatment for goiter (hyperthyroidism) and decaffeinated coffee consumption were associated with an increased risk for malignant tumors, but less so for adenomas. In women, early menarche (< 13 years) and stillbirth after first pregnancy, as well as hysterectomy, were substantial risk factors. Occupational variables and radiation, including medical indications and mammography, did not reveal particular risks. We did not address the role of regular iodine substitution, but did analyze the consumption of freshwater fish and seafood. Multivariate analyses of the most prominent risk factors confirmed the persistence of tomato consumption as a risk factor. In view of experimental evidence on the carcinogenicity of organophosphates and the neurotoxicant effect of certain agrochemicals on neuroendocrinologically regulated organs, we postulate that in Germany, importing off-season tomatoes from areas with a known history of possible inexperienced use of agrochemicals may be associated with a promoting effect for malignant neoplasias of the thyroid gland in terms of promoting already existent proliferating tissue growth.

Is lycopene beneficial to human health?

Since humans cannot synthesise carotenoids de novo, we depend upon the diet exclusively for the source of these micronutrients. Although the necessity for beta-carotene, as the precursor of vitamin A has been recognised for many years, it is lycopene that has attracted substantial interest more recently. Lycopene is the red-coloured carotenoid predominantly found in tomato fruit, but in few other fruits or vegetables. It has claimed that it may alleviate chronic diseases such as cancers and coronary heart disease. This possibility has been studied extensively, by epidemiological studies and biochemical investigations of its properties and its bioavailability from tomato-based diets. This article summarises the current state of knowledge of the properties of lycopene, its possible role in human health and areas for future research.

Carotenoid pigments in Rosa mosqueta hips, an alternative carotenoid source for foods

Carotenoid composition has been investigated in Rosa mosqueta hips (Rosa rubiginosa, Rosa eglanteria). Six major carotenoids were identified (beta-carotene, lycopene, rubixanthin, gazaniaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin) together with other minor carotenoids (violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and gamma-carotene). An average composition has been estimated as follows: beta-carotene (497.6 mg/kg of dry wt), lycopene (391.9 mg/kg of dry wt), rubixanthin (703.7 mg/kg of dry wt), gazaniaxanthin (289.2 mg/kg of dry wt), beta-cryptoxanthin (183.5 mg/kg of dry wt), zeaxanthin (266. 6 mg/kg of dry wt), and minor carotenoids (67.1 mg/kg of dry wt). Possible uses in food technology are outlined and discussed including the preparation of highly colored oleoresins as natural colorants of food and beverages and as provitamin A sources.