Potential Use of Tomato Peel, a Rich Source of Lycopene, for Cancer Treatment.

Tomatoes are well known for their impressive nutritional value among vegetables. However, the industrial processing of tomatoes generates a significant amount of waste. Specifically, 10% to 18% of the raw materials used in tomato processing become waste. This waste can seriously affect ecosystems, such as freshwater bodies, wetlands, rivers, and other natural environments, if not properly managed. Interestingly, tomato waste, specifically the skin, contains lycopene, a potent antioxidant and antimutagenic that offers a range of health benefits. This makes it a valuable ingredient in industries such as food and cosmetics. In addition, researchers are exploring the potential of lycopene in the treatment of various types of cancer. This systematic review, guided by the PRISMA 2020 methodology, examined studies exploring the possibility of tomato peel as a source of lycopene and carotenoids for cancer treatment. The findings suggest that tomato peel extracts exhibit promising anticancer properties, underscoring the need for further investigation of possible therapeutic applications. The compiled literature reveals significant potential for using tomato peel to create new cancer treatments, which could potentially revolutionize the field of oncology. This underscores the importance of continued research and exploration, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the scientific community's contribution to this promising area of study.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial, Anti-Cervical Cancer Capacity, and Biocompatibility of Different Graphene Oxides.

Cancer stands as one of the deadliest diseases in human history, marked by an inferior prognosis. While traditional therapeutic methods like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation have demonstrated success in inhibiting tumor cell growth, their side effects often limit overall benefits and patient acceptance. In this regard, three different graphene oxides (GO) with variations in their degrees of oxidation were studied chemically and tissue-wise. The accuracy of the synthesis of the different GO was verified by robust techniques using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as conventional techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), RAMAN spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The presence of oxygenated groups was of great importance. It affected the physicochemical properties of each of the different graphene oxides demonstrated in the presence of new vibrational modes related to the formation of new bonds promoted by the graphitization of the materials. The toxicity analysis in the Hep-2 cell line of graphene oxide formulations at 250 µg/mL on the viability and proliferation of these tumor cells showed low activity. GO formulations did not show high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains. However, the different graphene oxides showed biocompatibility in the subdermal implantation model for 30, 60, and 90 days in the biomodels. This allowed healing by restoring hair and tissue architecture without triggering an aggressive immune response.