Lycopene: A Natural Arsenal in the War against Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Diseases.

May Nasser Bin-Jumah,Inam Ullah,Sami I Alzarea,Muhammad Shahid Nadeem,Sultan Alshehri,Imran Kazmi,Fahad A Al-Abbasi,Mohammed M Ghoneim,Sadaf Jamal Gilani,Bismillah Mubeen

doi:10.3390/antiox11020232

Abstract

Lycopene is a bioactive red pigment found in plants, especially in red fruits and vegetables, including tomato, pink guava, papaya, pink grapefruit, and watermelon. Several research reports have advocated its positive impact on human health and physiology. For humans, lycopene is an essential substance obtained from dietary sources to fulfil the body requirements. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing oxidative stress and downstream complications include one of the major health concerns worldwide. In recent years, oxidative stress and its counter strategies have attracted biomedical research in order to manage the emerging health issues. Lycopene has been reported to directly interact with ROS, which can help to prevent chronic diseases, including diabetes and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. In this context, the present review article was written to provide an accumulative account of protective and ameliorative effects of lycopene on coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension, which are the leading causes of death worldwide. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that fights ROS and, subsequently, complications. It reduces blood pressure via inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and regulating nitrous oxide bioavailability. It plays an important role in lowering of LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and improving HDL (high-density lipoproteins) levels to minimize atherosclerosis, which protects the onset of coronary artery disease and hypertension. Various studies have advocated that lycopene exhibited a combating competence in the treatment of these diseases. Owing to all the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive properties, lycopene provides a potential nutraceutical with a protective and curing ability against coronary artery disease and hypertension.

Highlights

Bioactive components can be found in plant-based natural products derived through food processing [1]
This review has focused on the potential effects of lycopene on coronary artery disease and hypertension
Lycopene is packed with other dietary lipids inside the enterocyte to form chylomicrons, which are carried over the basolateral membrane, into the lymphatic system, and subsequently discharged into the blood

Summary

Introduction

Bioactive components can be found in plant-based natural products derived through food processing [1]. The elongated carbon chain with conjugated double bonds have made lycopene as the most potent single oxygen and free radical scavenger among 600 naturally occurring carotenoids [24,25,26]. It is more efficient in shielding cells and tissues from ROS-induced damage [9,27]. Despite the fact that lycopene is not an essential ingredient, it has been discovered to provide a variety of health advantages Because it is a substantial carotenoid in human blood, it can protect lipids, proteins, and DNA from oxidative stress [21]. Lycopene is packed with other dietary lipids inside the enterocyte to form chylomicrons, which are carried over the basolateral membrane, into the lymphatic system, and subsequently discharged into the blood

Lycopene as an Antioxidant

Lycopene in Human Health and Diseases

Hypertension and Lycopene

Conclusions