Antioxidants in mitigating phthalate-induced male reproductive toxicity: A comprehensive review.

Phthalates, widely used as plasticizers, have been increasingly linked to male reproductive toxicity through mechanisms including oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, inflammation, and apoptosis. This comprehensive review evaluates the protective role of various antioxidants in mitigating the detrimental effects of phthalates such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-butyl phthalate (DBP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), and monobutyl phthalate (MBP) on male reproductive health. Antioxidants such as lycopene, ellagic acid, genistein, and selenium compounds exhibit significant efficacy in counteracting phthalate-induced damage by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses, reducing inflammatory responses, and preventing apoptosis. Lycopene demonstrates broad-spectrum protective effects, particularly through its high ROS-scavenging capacity and ability to preserve mitochondrial function. Ellagic acid effectively ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation, while genistein enhances the Nrf2 pathway and restores hormonal balance, offering robust protection against reproductive toxicity. Selenium compounds improve antioxidant enzyme activities, providing essential support against oxidative damage. These findings underscore the potential of antioxidants as therapeutic agents against phthalate-induced male reproductive dysfunction. Future research should focus on optimizing antioxidant combinations, understanding dose-response relationships, and assessing long-term efficacy and safety to develop effective interventions for safeguarding male reproductive health.

Lycopene alleviates zearalenone-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mice kidneys.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of lycopene on renal damage caused by zearalenone (ZEN). Male Kunming mice were treated daily for 4 weeks by intragastric administration with 40 mg/kg ZEN in the presence or absence of lycopene (2.5 or 5 mg/kg). The results showed that lycopene markedly alleviated the damage of renal structure and function in mice induced by ZEN, as indicated by the reduced degree of pathological damage and the decreased levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine. Meanwhile, results of dihydroethidine (DHE) staining and biochemical markers revealed that ZEN exposure notably increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased the level of GSH, and reduced the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Administration of lycopene alleviated the increased oxidative stress induced by ZEN. Moreover, ZEN ingestion notably resulted in apoptosis, increased the protein levels of BCL2 associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3, and decreased the protein levels of apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 (Bcl-2), which were reversed by lycopene intervention. Results of immunofluorescence demonstrated that lycopene reversed ZEN-induced the upregulation of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) in mice kidneys. Lycopene supplementation could alleviate ZEN-induced renal toxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Impact of pre-harvest fungicide application on the storage performance of tomato fruits.

To examine the impact of pre-harvest fungicide applications on the postharvest storage performance of tomato fruits, we measured the lycopene content, hardness, soluble solids content, rotting rate, and weight loss rate of the fruits, as well as conducted a sensory assessment. Protective and systematic fungicides were sprayed on tomatoes 20 days before harvest in order to prevent rotting and weight loss during storage. Our findings showed that, the fungicide-treated tomatoes had a significantly lower rotting rate of 16.00% and a weight loss rate of 3.96%. However the control group experienced 65.33% rotting rate and 6.90% weight loss rate on 12th days of storage. Out of the pre-harvest applications, 'Zineb' a protective fungicide significantly delayed the loss of hardness and soluble solids accumulation in tomato fruits during storage, but it had no significant effect on lycopene content. On the other hand, when comparing to the examined treatment, the systemic fungicides did not have any significant effect on the postharvest storage performance of tomato fruits. Sensory evaluation results indicated that systemic fungicides improved the aroma of the fruits, while protective fungicides had a greater impact on the appearance and juiciness of the fruits. This study offers a potential novel solution for preserving fruits and vegetables which have been frequently infected by phytopathogens during storage, and consequently mitigate/reduce postharvest losses.

Associations Between Dietary Intake of Tomato and Lycopene with All-Cause and Cancer-Specific Mortality in US Adults with Diabetes: Results From a Cohort Study.

This study aimed to explore the association between dietary intake of tomatoes and lycopene with all-cause and cancer mortality among US adults with diabetes. We hypothesized that a higher intake of tomato and lycopene is related to a reduced risk of all-cause and cancer mortality among adults with diabetes. This prospective study was conducted among 9213 US adults with diabetes using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2016. Data on dietary intake of tomatoes and lycopene were obtained from two 24-h dietary recalls. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models determined the associations between tomato/lycopene intake and mortality. A higher intake of tomatoes and lycopene was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (tomato: Q5 vs. Q1: HR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.54-0.86, p = 0.001, p for trend = 0.001; lycopene: Q5 vs. Q1: HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64-0.95, p = 0.013, p for trend = 0.006) after adjusting for all covariates. Compared with the lowest quintile of tomato and lycopene intake, the highest quintile was associated with a lower risk of cancer mortality (tomato: HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35-0.96, p = 0.035; lycopene: HR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.40-0.98, p = 0.043). Our study demonstrated that dietary intake of tomatoes and lycopene was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in US adults with diabetes. High consumption of tomatoes and lycopene was also related to reduced cancer mortality in US adults with diabetes.

Preparation and characterization of agarose-sodium alginate hydrogel beads for the co-encapsulation of lycopene and resveratrol nanoemulsion.

In the study, lycopene and resveratrol nanoemulsion hydrogel beads were prepared by using agarose­sodium alginate as a carrier and the semi-interpenetrating polymer network technique, characteristics and morphologies were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, rheological measurement. The synergistic antioxidant effect of lycopene and resveratrol was confirmed, the best synergistic antioxidant performance is achieved when the ratio of 1:1. To increase the solubility and improve the stability, the lycopene was prepared as solid dispersion added to the nanoemulsion. The encapsulation rate of lycopene and resveratrol reached 93.60 ± 2.94 % and 89.30 ± 1.75 %, respectively, and the cumulative release showed that the addition of agarose slowed down the release rate of the compound, which improves the applicability of lycopene and resveratrol and development of carriers for the delivery of different bioactive ingredients.

Lycopene alleviates Deoxynivalenol-induced toxicity in Porcine intestinal epithelial cells by mediating mitochondrial function.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is widely found in food and feed, posing a threat to human and animal health. Lycopene (Lyc) is a natural plant extracts with significant antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of Lyc on IPEC-J2 cells upon DON exposure. The detection of cell viability and trypan blue staining showed that Lyc alleviated cell damage and decreased cell apoptotic rate induced by DON. The analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and antioxidant parameter measurements showed that Lyc significantly down-regulated the content of ROS and restored antioxidant enzyme activity. Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) detection, mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) assay and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration detection showed Lyc improved mitochondrial function after DON exposure. The results of transcriptome analysis, ROS detection and CCK8 assay suggested that Lyc may activated the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to improve mitochondrial function. Conclusively, our results suggested that Lyc alleviated DON-induced oxidative stress by improving mitochondrial function through OXPHOS signaling pathway.

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.

Lycopene supplementation promoted increased survival and decreased parasitemia in mice with severe malaria: comparison with N-acetylcysteine.

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of malaria, causing anemia, respiratory complications, and cerebral malaria. To mitigate oxidative stress, we investigated the effect of nutritional supplementation whit lycopene (LYC) on the evolution of parasitemia and survival rate in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (Pb), comparing to the effects promoted by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Therefore, 175 mice were randomly distributed into 4 groups; Sham: untreated and uninfected animals; Pb: animals infected with Pb; LYC+Pb: animals treated with LYC and infected with Pb; NAC+Pb: animals treated with NAC and infected with Pb. The animals were followed for 12 days after infection, and survival and parasitemia rates were evaluated. There was a 40.1% increase in parasitemia in the animals of the Pb group on the 12th day, and a survival rate of 45%. LYC supplementation slowed the development of parasitemia to 19% and promoted a significative increase in the survival rate of 80% on the 12th day after infection, compared to the Pb group, effects superior to those promoted by NAC, providing strong evidence of the beneficial effect of LYC on in vivo malaria and stressing the importance of antioxidant supplementation in the treatment of this disease.

Walnut protein isolate-epigallocatechin gallate nanoparticles: A functional carrier enhanced stability and antioxidant activity of lycopene.

Walnut isolate protein (WPI)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) conjugates can be employed to creat food-grade delivery systems for preserving bioactive compounds. In this study, WPI-EGCG nanoparticles (WENPs) were developed for encapsulating lycopene (LYC) using the ultrasound-assisted method. The results indicated successful loading of LYC into these WENPs, forming the WENPs/LYC (cylinder with 200-300 nm in length and 14.81-30.05 nm in diameter). Encapsulating LYC in WENPs led to a notable decrease in release rate and improved stability in terms of thermal, ultraviolet (UV), and storage conditions compared to free LYC. Simultaneously, WENPs/LYC exhibited a synergistic and significantly higher antioxidant activity with an EC50 value of 23.98 µg/mL in HepG2 cells compared to free LYC's 31.54 µg/mL. Treatment with WENPs/LYC led to a dose-dependent restoration of intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px) and inhibition of intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis indicated that enrichment in glutathione metabolism and peroxisome processes following WENPs/LYC addition. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) verified the expression levels of related genes involved in the antioxidant resistance pathway of WENPs/LYC on AAPH-induced oxidative stress. This study offers novel perspectives into the antioxidant resistance pathway of WENPs/LYC, holding significant potential in food industry.

Lycopene in Combination with Insulin Triggers Antioxidant Defenses and Increases the Expression of Components That Detoxify Advanced Glycation Products in Kidneys of Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Biochemical events provoked by oxidative stress and advanced glycation may be inhibited by combining natural bioactives with classic therapeutic agents, which arise as strategies to mitigate diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lycopene combined with a reduced insulin dose is able to control glycemia and to oppose glycoxidative stress in kidneys of diabetic rats. METHODS: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with 45 mg/kg lycopene + 1 U/day insulin for 30 days. The study assessed glycemia, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile and paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) activity in plasma. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and the protein levels of advanced glycation end-product receptor 1 (AGE-R1) and glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1) in the kidneys were also investigated. RESULTS: An effective glycemic control was achieved with lycopene plus insulin, which may be attributed to improvements in insulin sensitivity. The combined therapy decreased the dyslipidemia and increased the PON-1 activity. In the kidneys, lycopene plus insulin increased the activities of SOD and CAT and the levels of AGE-R1 and GLO-1, which may be contributing to the antialbuminuric effect. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that lycopene may aggregate favorable effects to insulin against diabetic complications resulting from glycoxidative stress.

Lycopene alleviates BCG-induced depressive phenotypes in mice by disrupting 5-HT3 receptor - IDO1 interplay in the brain.

The 5-HT3 receptor and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) enzyme play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of depression as their activation reduces serotonin contents in the brain. Since molecular docking analysis revealed lycopene as a potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and IDO1 inhibitor, we hypothesized that lycopene might disrupt the interplay between the 5-HT3 receptor and IDO1 to mitigate depression. In mice, the depression-like phenotypes were induced by inoculating Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Lycopene (intraperitoneal; i.p.) was administered alone or in combination with 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron (i.p.) or IDO1 inhibitor minocycline (i.p.), and the behavioral screening was performed by the sucrose preference test, open field test, tail suspension test, and splash test which are based on the different principles. Further, the brains were subjected to the biochemical analysis of serotonin and its precursor tryptophan by the HPLC. The results showed depression-like behavior in BCG-inoculated mice, which was reversed by lycopene administration. Moreover, prior treatment with ondansetron or minocycline potentiated the antidepressant action of lycopene. Minocycline pretreatment also enhanced the antidepressant effect of ondansetron indicating the regulation of IDO1 activity by 5-HT3 receptor-triggered signaling. Biochemical analysis of brain samples revealed a drastic reduction in the levels of tryptophan and serotonin in depressed animals, which were restored following treatment with lycopene and its combination with ondansetron or minocycline. Taken together, the data from molecular docking, behavioral experiments, and biochemical estimation suggest that lycopene might block the 5-HT3 receptor and consequently inhibit the activity of IDO1 to ameliorate BCG-induced depression in mice.

Lycopene Regulates Macrophage Immune Response through the Autophagy Pathway Mediated by RIPK1.

The effects of lycopene (LP) on macrophage immune responses were evaluated in this study. Compared with the control treatment, LP treatment significantly increased cell vitality, phagocytic activity, and chemokine production in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, compared with the control treatment, 4 µM LP treatment significantly activated autophagy, enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential, and upregulated receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), while necrostatin-1 significantly reversed these effects of LP. Furthermore, compared with that in the control group, RIPK1 was significantly upregulated in the 4 µM LP and 4 µM LP + spautin-1 groups, whereas p-mTOR levels were reduced. More importantly, compared with that in the control group, p62 was significantly downregulated, and Beclin1, LC3-II, and Atg7 were upregulated in the 4 µM LP group, while spautin-1 significantly reversed these effects of LP. These results confirm that LP activates the mTOR/Beclin1/LC3/p62 autophagy signaling pathway through RIPK1, thereby enhancing the immune response of macrophages.

Lycopene Promotes Osteogenesis and Reduces Adipogenesis through Regulating FoxO1/PPARγ Signaling in Ovariectomized Rats and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Recent interest in preventing the development of osteoporosis has focused on the regulation of redox homeostasis. However, the action of lycopene (LYC), a strong natural antioxidant compound, on osteoporotic bone loss remains largely unknown. Here, we show that oral administration of LYC to OVX rats for 12 weeks reduced body weight gain, improved lipid metabolism, and preserved bone quality. In addition, LYC treatment inhibited ROS overgeneration in serum and bone marrow in OVX rats, and in BMSCs upon H2O2 stimulation, leading to inhibiting adipogenesis and promoting osteogenesis during bone remodeling. At the molecular level, LYC improved bone quality via an increase in the expressions of FoxO1 and Runx2 and a decrease in the expressions of PPARγ and C/EBPα in OVX rats and BMSCs. Collectively, these findings suggest that LYC attenuates osteoporotic bone loss through promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting adipogenesis via regulation of the FoxO1/PPARγ pathway driven by oxidative stress, presenting a novel strategy for osteoporosis management.

How to beat the bull: Lycopene as a tool to improve in vitro fertilization efficiency in bulls with high polyspermy.

High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from in vitro conditions compromise oocyte quality and subsequent polyspermy prevention by the zona and membrane block. Antioxidant supplementation, like lycopene, during in vitro maturation (IVM) mitigates ROS effects, yet, its efficacy in blocking polyspermy remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the effect of lycopene supplementation during IVM on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and developmental parameters. To this end, bovine oocytes were supplemented with 0.2 µM lycopene and fertilized with semen from three bulls. The three bulls showed different fertilization potential in vitro, with bull 1 showing the highest penetration and polyspermy rates and the lowest in vitro fertilization (IVF) efficiency. Interestingly, in bull 1, the treatment with lycopene improved IVF efficiency (p = 0.043) and reduced the polyspermy rate (p = 0.028). However, none of these effects were observed in bulls 2 and 3. Bulls with higher penetration rates exhibited better blastocyst rates although those rates did not seem to be associated with polyspermy or IVF efficiency. Oocyte mitochondrial distribution and activity and cortical granule migration and distribution were not influenced by lycopene. In conclusion, we demonstrated that lycopene addition during oocyte maturation had a positive impact on IVF efficiency by reducing polyspermy rates in a bull-dependent manner. The reduction in polyspermy rates was not caused by changes in cortical granule migration or oocyte mitochondrial distribution. Lycopene must therefore induce other changes in the oocyte that lower the in vitro penetration rates of specific bulls prone to polyspermy.

Lycopene promoted M2 macrophage polarization via inhibition of NOTCH1-PI3K-mTOR-NF-κB-JMJD3-IRF4 pathway in response to Escherichia coli infection in J744A.1 cells.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) can induce severe clinical bovine mastitis, which is to blame for large losses experienced by dairy farms. Macrophage polarization into various states is in response to pathogen infections. Lycopene, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon carotenoid, relieved inflammation by controlling M1/M2 status of macrophages. Thus, we wanted to explore the effect of lycopene on polarization states of macrophages in E. coli-induced mastitis. Macrophages were cultivated with lycopene for 24, before E. coli inoculation for 6 h. Lycopene (0.5 µmol/L) significantly enhanced cell viabilities and significantly reduced lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in macrophages, whereas 2 and 3 µmol/L lycopene significantly enhanced LDH activities. Lycopene treatment significantly reduced the increase in LDH release, iNOS, CD86, TNF-α, IL-1ß and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expressions in E. coli group. 0.5 µmol/L lycopene significantly increased E. coli-induced downregulation of CD206, arginase I (ARG1), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), chitinase 3-like 3 (YM1), PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-mTOR, jumonji domain-containing protein-3 (JMJD3) and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) levels. Moreover, Ginkgolic acid C17:1 (a specific PTEN inhibitor), 740YPDGFR (a specific PI3K activator), SC79 (a specific AKT activator) or CHPG sodium salt (a specific NF-κB activator) significantly decreased CD206, AGR1, IDO and YM1 expressions in lycopene and E. coli-treated macrophages. Therefore, lycopene increased M2 macrophages via inhibiting NOTCH1-PI3K-mTOR-NF-κB-JMJD3-IRF4 pathway in response to E. coli infection in macrophages. These results contribute to revealing the pathogenesis of E. coli-caused bovine mastitis, providing the new angle of the prevention and management of mastitis.

Lycopene Protects against Atrazine-Induced Kidney STING-Dependent PANoptosis through Stabilizing mtDNA via Interaction with Sam50/PHB1.

Atrazine (ATR) is a widely used herbicide worldwide that can cause kidney damage in humans and animals by accumulation in water and soil. Lycopene (LYC), a carotenoid with numerous biological activities, plays an important role in kidney protection due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The current study sought to investigate the role of interactions between mtDNA and the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in LYC mitigating PANoptosis and inflammation in kidneys induced by ATR exposure. In our research, 350 mice were orally administered LYC (5 mg/kg BW/day) and ATR (50 or 200 mg/kg BW/day) for 21 days. Our results reveal that ATR exposure induces a decrease in mtDNA stability, resulting in the release of mtDNA into the cytoplasm through the mPTP pore and the BAX pore and the mobilization of the cGAS-STING pathway, thereby inducing renal PANoptosis and inflammation. LYC can inhibit the above changes caused by ATR. In conclusion, LYC inhibited ATR exposure-induced histopathological changes, renal PANoptosis, and inflammation by inhibiting the cGAS-STING pathway. Our results demonstrate the positive role of LYC in ATR-induced renal injury and provide a new therapeutic target for treating renal diseases in the clinic.

[The use of antioxidants in combination therapy of chronic prostatitis].

Currently, the significance of the chronic prostatitis (CP) is undoubted. Oxidative stress is considered as one of the standard mechanisms of cellular damage that is associated with inflammatory diseases such as CP. When choosing the combination therapy for this group of patients, a correction of oxidative stress is pathogenetically justified. Literature data about the pathogenetic feasibility and prospects of using a biologically active complex containing flavonoids and carotenoids quercetin, lycopene and naringin as part of the combination treatment of patients with CP are presented in the article. Considering the various effects of the biologically active complex Querceprost, containing quercetin, lycopene and naringin, among which antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory are of greatest importance, as well as taking into account the synergistic effect of flavonoids and carotenoids, we suggest that Querceprost is promising component of combination treatment of patients with CP.

Lycopene from tomatoes and tomato products exerts renoprotective effects by ameliorating oxidative stress, apoptosis, pyroptosis, fibrosis, and inflammatory injury in calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis: the underlying mechanisms.

Several mechanisms underlying nephrolithiasis, one of the most common urological diseases, involve calcium oxalate formation, including oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, fibrosis, pyroptosis, and apoptosis. Although lycopene has strong antioxidant activity, its protective effects against CaOx-induced injury have not yet been reported. This study aimed to systematically investigate the protective effects of lycopene and explore its mechanisms and molecular targets. Crystal deposition, renal function, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, fibrosis, pyroptosis, and apoptosis were assessed to evaluate the renoprotective effects of lycopene against crystal formation in a CaOx rat model and oxalate-stimulated NRK-52E and HK-2 cells. Lycopene markedly ameliorated crystal deposition, restored renal function, and suppressed kidney injury by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and pyroptosis in the rats. In cell models, lycopene pretreatment reversed reactive oxygen species increase, apoptotic damage, intracellular lactate dehydrogenase release, cytotoxicity, pyroptosis, and extracellular matrix deposition. Network pharmacology and proteomic analyses were performed to identify lycopene target proteins under CaOx-exposed conditions, and the results showed that Trappc4 might be a pivotal target gene for lycopene, as identified by cellular thermal shift assay and surface plasmon resonance analyses. Based on molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, alanine scanning mutagenesis, and saturation mutagenesis, we observed that lycopene directly interacts with Trappc4 via hydrophobic bonds, which may be attributed to the PHE4 and PHE142 residues, preventing ERK1/2 or elevating AMPK signaling pathway phosphorylation events. In conclusion, lycopene might ameliorate oxalate-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury via the Trappc4/ERK1/2/AMPK pathway, indicating its potential for the treatment of nephrolithiasis.

Lycopene possess an antimalarial effect on chloroquine-resistant malaria and its hematological aberrations in murine model.

Malaria remains a major public health issue worldwide, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The resistance of Plasmodium parasites to commonly used antimalarial drugs has necessitated the development of novel drugs and targets for malaria treatment. Lycopene is a natural compound present in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. This study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial activity of lycopene and its co-administration with chloroquine against chloroquine-resistant malaria, as well as to assess its impact on hematological abnormalities associated with malaria infection. The experimental animals for this study were infected with 10 7 NK65 Plasmodium berghei-infected red blood cells via intraperitoneal injection. The animals were then treated with artemether-lumefantrine, chloroquine, and varying doses of lycopene. The study evaluated percentage parasitemia, mean survival time, and various hematological parameters, including red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, red blood cell distribution width - coefficient of variation, red blood cell distribution width - standard deviation, white blood cell count, granulocyte count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, and procalcitonin level. The study revealed that lycopene demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) antimalarial activity and the ability to ameliorate hematological abnormalities associated with acute malaria infection. The findings of this study highlight the potential of lycopene as a novel antimalarial agent. The results of this study may contribute to the development of new drugs for malaria treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Lycopene prevents cell death in NRK-52E cells by inhibition of high glucose-activated DNA damage and apoptotic, autophagic, and necrotic pathways.

This study aims to investigate the effects of lycopene on apoptotic, autophagic, and necrotic pathways, oxidative status, and DNA damage in diabetic nephropathy at the molecular level. The sample of the study includes seven groups: lycopene (L), high glucose (G), high glucose + lycopene (GL), and control (C) groups tested at 12 and 24 h. The expression levels of genes in oxidative, apoptotic, autophagic, and necrotic cell death pathways are determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The comet assay method is used for the analysis of DNA damage. It is observed that adding lycopene to high glucose for protective purposes reduces the expression of genes related to apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis, as well as the DNA damage index, compared to cells given high glucose alone. Lycopene can be a safe and effective alternative agent.