Lycopene: Its Properties and Relationship to Human Health

Lycopene is a carotenoid naturally present in tomatoes. Among the carotenoids, lycopene is a major component found in the serum. Several studies including animal, cell culture, and epidemiological investigations have demonstrated that dietary lycopene has the ability or potential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease. The role of lycopene in human health is thought to be its role as an antioxidant, but recent studies have demonstrated that other mechanisms are responsible for its beneficial properties. These include intercellular gap junction communication, hormonal and immune system modulation, and metabolic pathways. This article summarizes the background information about lycopene and presents the most current knowledge with respect to its role in human health, stability, toxicity, and extraction methods.