Lycopene targets multiple pathways involved in oxidative stress, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. As a powerful antioxidant, it efficiently quenches singlet oxygen and scavenges free radicals. The compound enhances gap junction communication between cells via upregulation of connexin 43. Lycopene activates retinoic acid receptors (RARs) but does not exhibit significant vitamin A activity. It reduces proliferation of cancer cells in culture. Its effects on adipose tissue may play a role against obesity-related complications.

Humans cannot synthesis lycopene de novo, thus consuming adequate lycopene through diet is essential to reaping its health benefits. Furthermore, at physiological concentrations of 1.25 μM, lycopene strongly inhibits the growth of scaffolds and embryonic cells and reduces kappa B phosphorylation in cells by 30–40% [1]. growing awareness of lycopene, a significant carotenoid found in tomatoes that lowers the risk of lung and digestive tract malignancies and functions as an all-trans dietary disinfection of alcohol-induced 2E1 cellular free radical scavengers. Lycopene is a singlet oxygen molecule and a scavenger of peroxyl radical that protects against photooxidation. It also functions well in combination with other antioxidant molecules [2]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be reacted with by lycopene as a carotenoid via one of three mechanisms: I) electron transfer, II) hydrogen atom transfer, or III) addition of additives. Physical quenching is the primary method by which lycopene deactivates singlet oxygen [3]. By blocking NADPH oxidase generated in PKC, lycopene lowers ROS generation in SK-Hep-1 cells [5].
In vitro, Lycopene demonstrates potent antioxidant activity by quenching singlet oxygen. It reduces proliferation of cancer cells in culture at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 μM for 48 hours. Lycopene enhances gap junction communication between cells via upregulation of connexin 43. It exhibits cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antioxidative, and anticancer activity. The compound activates retinoic acid receptors (RARs). Its antioxidant and anticancer activities have been characterized in various cell-based assays.

Human bushes contain the carotenoid lycopene, which has a half-life of two to three days [2]. The intima-media thickness of blood vessel walls may decrease as a result of lycopene or processed tomatoes [3]. Lycopene provides defense against toxicity brought on by ATZ. Lycopene's capacity to activate Nrf2/HO-1 and its antioxidant qualities may be the cause of these effects [4]. Lycopene is an antioxidant that decreases oxidative damage by improving hepatotoxicity, lowering GSSG, and controlling tGSH and CAT levels [5].
In vivo, Lycopene is associated with decreased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. It exhibits cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antioxidative, and anticancer activity. Lycopene's effects on adipose tissue may play a role against obesity-related complications. The compound can be used as a pigment in food processing and as raw material of antioxidant health food. Further in vivo studies have evaluated its health benefits in various animal models and clinical studies.

Lycopene antioxidant assays involve measuring its ability to quench singlet oxygen and scavenge free radicals. Antioxidant activity is assessed using DPPH, ABTS, or other free radical scavenging assays. For anticancer studies, cell proliferation inhibition is assessed in cancer cell lines at concentrations such as 2.5 and 5 μM for 48 hours. Gap junction communication is assessed by measuring connexin 43 expression and function. Retinoic acid receptor activation is assessed using reporter gene assays. Assays are performed in appropriate buffer systems with positive controls such as known antioxidants (e.g., vitamin C or E).

Lycopene cell-based assays are conducted in cancer cell lines, cardiomyocytes, and other cell types. Cells are cultured in appropriate media at 37°C with 5% CO2 and treated with Lycopene at varying concentrations (e.g., 2.5 and 5 μM for 48 hours). Cell viability is assessed by MTT or CCK-8 assays. Antioxidant activity is assessed by measuring intracellular ROS levels. Gap junction communication is assessed by dye transfer assays. Connexin 43 expression is analyzed by Western blot. Retinoic acid receptor activation is assessed by measuring target gene expression. Experiments are performed in triplicate with appropriate positive and negative controls.

Lycopene in vivo studies are conducted in animal models of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Animals are treated with Lycopene via dietary supplementation or oral administration. For cancer studies, tumor incidence and growth are monitored. For cardiovascular studies, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and atherosclerotic plaque formation are assessed. For obesity studies, body weight, adipose tissue, and metabolic parameters are measured. Lycopene is also used as a pigment in food processing and as raw material of antioxidant health food. Animals are monitored for clinical signs. Tissues and blood samples are collected for histopathological and biochemical analysis.

Lycopene (MW 536.87 g/mol, C40H56) is a lipophilic carotenoid. It is a red-colored carotenoid found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. The compound is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents and oils. It is stable under recommended storage conditions. Lycopene is a proven antioxidant and is occasionally used as a pigment dye. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion have been characterized in clinical studies.

Lycopene is generally recognized as safe and is widely consumed as a dietary component. The compound is associated with decreased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. It exhibits cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antioxidative, and anticancer activity. No significant adverse effects have been reported at research-use concentrations. The compound is intended for research use only. Standard safety precautions should be followed when handling. Comprehensive toxicological evaluation is available from food safety and clinical studies.

[1]. Lycopene acts through inhibition of IκB kinase to suppress NF-κB signaling in human prostate and breast cancer cells. Tumour Biol. 2016 Jul;37(7):9375-85.

[2]. The role of carotenoids in the prevention of human pathologies. Biomed Pharmacother. 2004 Mar;58(2):100-10.

[3]. Lycopene and Its Antioxidant Role in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases-A Critical Review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016 Aug 17;56(11):1868-79.

[4]. Lycopene ameliorates atrazine-induced oxidative damage in adrenal cortex of male rats by activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016 Aug;23(15):15262-74.

[5]. Lycopene inhibits reactive oxygen species production in SK-Hep-1 cells and attenuates acetaminophen-induced liver injury in C57BL/6 mice. Chem Biol Interact. 2017 Feb 1;263:7-17.

Lycopene is an acyclic carotenoid commonly found in tomatoes and other red fruits. It has antioxidant and plant metabolism-enhancing effects. It contains a ψ-terminal derivative of a carotenoid. Lycopene is a naturally occurring red carotenoid pigment that gives tomatoes, pink grapefruits, and other foods their red to pink color. The chemical formula of lycopene is C40H56. It is a tetraterpenoid compound composed of eight isoprene units consisting only of carbon and hydrogen. Lycopene can undergo extensive isomerization, theoretically resulting in 1056 cis-trans isomers; however, the all-trans configuration is the most prevalent isomer in food, imparting its red color. Lycopene is a non-essential human nutrient. Due to the lack of a terminal β-ionone ring, it lacks vitamin A activity and is therefore classified as a non-provitamin A carotenoid pigment. However, lycopene is a potent antioxidant molecule capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) singlet oxygen. Lycopene extracts are used as colorants in food.
Lycopene has been reported to be found in Pyracantha angustifolia, Allomyces javanicus, and other organisms with available data.
Lycopene is a linear unsaturated carotenoid and the main red pigment in fruits such as tomatoes, pink grapefruits, apricots, red oranges, watermelons, rose hips, and guavas. Carotenoids are a class of pigment compounds found in photosynthetic organisms (plants, algae, and some fungi), chemically characterized by large polyene chains containing 35-40 carbon atoms; some carotenoid polyene chains have two six-carbon rings at the end. In animals, carotenoids (such as lycopene) may possess antioxidant properties, thereby delaying aging and preventing various degenerative diseases. As an essential nutrient, lycopene is an indispensable component of animal diets. (NCI04)
Lycopene is a carotenoid and red pigment produced by tomatoes, other red fruits and vegetables, and photosynthetic algae. It is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of other carotenoids and possesses antioxidant, anticancer, radiation-protective, and anti-inflammatory properties.
See also: 15-cis-lycopene (note moved here).
Lycopene is a red-colored carotenoid found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables that is a powerful antioxidant. It is associated with decreased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Lycopene enhances gap junction communication via connexin 43 upregulation and reduces cancer cell proliferation. It exhibits cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antioxidative, and anticancer activity. Lycopene activates retinoic acid receptors but does not have significant vitamin A activity. All applications are limited to non-human research use.

C40H56

536.8727

536.438

502-65-8

446925

Purple to red solid powder

0.9±0.1 g/cm3

660.9±30.0 °C at 760 mmHg

172-173°C

350.7±19.4 °C

0.0±1.0 mmHg at 25°C

1.531

15.19

0

0

16

40

1050

0

CC(=CCC/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C=C(/CCC=C(C)C)\C)\C)\C)/C)/C)/C)C

OAIJSZIZWZSQBC-GYZMGTAESA-N

InChI=1S/C40H56/c1-33(2)19-13-23-37(7)27-17-31-39(9)29-15-25-35(5)21-11-12-22-36(6)26-16-30-40(10)32-18-28-38(8)24-14-20-34(3)4/h11-12,15-22,25-32H,13-14,23-24H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,25-15+,26-16+,31-17+,32-18+,35-21+,36-22+,37-27+,38-28+,39-29+,40-30+

(6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E,20E,22E,24E,26E)-2,6,10,14,19,23,27,31-octamethyldotriaconta-2,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,30-tridecaene

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Note: (1). This product requires protection from light (avoid light exposure) during transportation and storage.  (2). Please store this product in a sealed and protected environment (e.g. under nitrogen), avoid exposure to moisture.

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

THF : 5 mg/mL (~9.31 mM)
Ethanol :< 1 mg/mL

Note: Listed below are some common formulations that may be used to formulate products with low water solubility (e.g. < 1 mg/mL), you may test these formulations using a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples.

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Injection Formulation 1: DMSO : Tween 80： Saline = 10 : 5 : 85 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO stock solution → 50 μL Tween 80 → 850 μL Saline)
*Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH ₂ O to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 2: DMSO : PEG300 ：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 3: DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL Corn oil)
Example: Take the Injection Formulation 3 (DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90) as an example, if 1 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can take 100 μL 25 mg/mL DMSO stock solution and add to 900 μL corn oil, mix well to obtain a clear or suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Injection Formulation 4: DMSO : 20% SBE-β-CD in saline = 10 : 90 [i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL (20% SBE-β-CD in saline)]
*Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 5: 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin : Saline = 50 : 50 (i.e. 500 μL 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin → 500 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 6: DMSO : PEG300 : castor oil : Saline = 5 : 10 : 20 : 65 (i.e. 50 μL DMSO → 100 μLPEG300 → 200 μL castor oil → 650 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 7: Ethanol : Cremophor : Saline = 10： 10 : 80 (i.e. 100 μL Ethanol → 100 μL Cremophor → 800 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 8: Dissolve in Cremophor/Ethanol (50 : 50), then diluted by Saline
Injection Formulation 9: EtOH : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 900 μL Corn oil)
Injection Formulation 10: EtOH : PEG300：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)

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Oral Formulation 1: Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na (carboxymethylcellulose sodium)
Oral Formulation 2: Suspend in 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Example: Take the Oral Formulation 1 (Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na) as an example, if 100 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can first prepare 0.5% CMC Na solution by measuring 0.5 g CMC Na and dissolve it in 100 mL ddH2O to obtain a clear solution; then add 250 mg of the product to 100 mL 0.5% CMC Na solution, to make the suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Oral Formulation 3: Dissolved in PEG400
Oral Formulation 4: Suspend in 0.2% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 5: Dissolve in 0.25% Tween 80 and 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 6: Mixing with food powders

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Note: Please be aware that the above formulations are for reference only. InvivoChem strongly recommends customers to read literature methods/protocols carefully before determining which formulation you should use for in vivo studies, as different compounds have different solubility properties and have to be formulated differently.

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 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)