Lycopene is an antioxidant from the carotenoid family of phytochemicals produced in plants. It is recognizable as the red color in fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes and watermelon. Unlike many carotenoids it lacks a terminal beta-ionic ring and provitamin A activity. It is absorbed and distributed throughout the body by the circulatory system. It is the focus of nutritional and clinical studies for prevention of prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. Antioxidant properties of lycopene are well known, but other mechanisms of action have been indicated. We are using tissue culture to further examine the roles of lycopene including the effects on cancer cell growth and potential protective roles in response to stress. In these experiments we applied watermelon extracts with known lycopene and carotenoid contents to lung carcinoma cells or normal human fibroblasts. Cells were stressed (UV or starvation) and then assayed for survival rate and protein signaling changes.

Effects of lycopene in watermelon extracts on tissue culture cells

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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