Lycopene and Vascular Health

Mozos, I., Stoian, D., Caraba, A., Malainer, C., Horbańczuk, J. O., & Atanasov, A. G · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2018 May 23

DOI 10.3389/fphar.2018.00521

Objective

The present work provides an up to date overview of mechanisms linking lycopene in the human diet and vascular changes, considering epidemiological data, clinical studies, and experimental data

Conclusions

The present review supports the importance of lycopene in improving vascular function and prevention of cardiovascular disorders. It comprises antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities, also antiplatelet, anti-apoptotic and antihypertensive properties. It is also able to improve endothelial function, the metabolic profile and ventricular remodeling, reduction of arterial stiffness as well as reduction of size of atherosclerotic plaque

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Insights

Lycopene may improve vascular function and contributes to the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disorders.

The main activity profile of lycopene includes antiatherosclerotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antiplatelet, anti-apoptotic, and protective endothelial effects, the ability to improve the metabolic profile, and reduce arterial stiffness. In this context, lycopene has been shown in numerous studies to exert a favorable effect in patients with subclinical atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, stroke and several other cardiovascular disorders, although the obtained results are sometimes inconsistent, which warrants further studies focusing on its bioactivity.