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Lycopene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon carotenoid similar in structure to beta-carotene, but without provitamin A activity. It is a fat-soluble red pigment synthesized by plants and micro-organisms. It is found in foods such as tomatoes, guavas, pink grapefruit, red oranges, apricots, rosehips and watermelons.A 130-gram portion of fresh tomatoes contains between 4 and 10 mg of lycopene, depending on variety, growing conditions and degree of ripeness.Lycopene was first isolated from black currant berries by Hartsen in 1873 and from tomatoes by Millardet of France in 1875. It was given the name lycopene by Schunck in a presentation to London's Royal Society in 1903.Daily dietary intake of lycopene varies from around 1 mg/day to 10.5 mg/day. Lycopene from plants is mainly in the all-trans configuration, which is poorly absorbed, but its high degree of unsaturation allows cis-trans isomerization to occur in response to light, thermal energy and chemical reactions. In human plasma, lycopene is present as a mixture of isomers, 50% of which are cis-isomers. Lycopene accounts for around half of the carotenoids in human serum, concentrating in low-density and very low-density lipoprotein fractions. It is also concentrated in the adrenal glands, testicles, prostate, lungs and skin.Orally, lycopene is used to prevent cardiovascular disease and sunburn. Lycopene is also used to treat prostate problems and male infertility.
Scientific name(s)
Psi-Psi-Carotene
Family or group:
Phytosubstances
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Several (>2) randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials, including a significant number of patients (>100) with consistently positive conclusions for the indication.
Several (>2) randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials, including a significant number of patients (>100) with positive conclusions for the indication.
One or more randomized studies or several cohorts or epidemiological studies with positive conclusions for the indication.
Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or contradictory.
Absence of clinical studies to date that could demonstrate the indication.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia✪✪✪✪✪
Although some epidemiological data show no link between dietary lycopene intake and the development of BPH, some preliminary clinical research suggests that taking lycopene alone or in combination could improve BPH-related symptoms. A preliminary clinical study shows that taking lycopene at a dose of 15 mg per day for 6 months slows the progression of BPH. Consumption of 50 grams of tomato paste a day for 10 weeks reduced prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels by around 11% in BPH patients in another study. Other clinical research shows that taking a combination of lycopene 2.1 mg, pumpkin seed oil 160 mg, small-flowered willow herb 500 mg, pygeum 15 g and saw palmetto 660 mg once a day for 3 months reduces the International Prostate Specific Score (IPSS) by 36% versus 8% with placebo in BPH patients. In another study, taking a daily combination of lycopene 5 mg, saw palmetto 320 mg and selenium 50 mcg orally for 1 year reduced IPSS similar to tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily (a drug prescribed to relieve symptoms due to prostate hypertrophy). Taking the combination of supplements and tamsulosin together reduced IPSS more than taking tamsulosin or supplements alone.
Dosage
Orally
5 - 15 mg
6 - months
Men
Synergies
Saw Palmetto, Selenium
Lycopene inhibits disease progression in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia.
Effect of the consumption of tomato paste on plasma prostate-specific antigen levels in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia.
Intake of selected micronutrients and the risk of surgically treated benign prostatic hyperplasia: a case-control study from Italy
A phase II randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy
Serenoa repens, lycopene and selenium versus tamsulosin for the treatment of LUTS/BPH. An Italian multicenter double-blinded randomized study between single or combination therapy (PROCOMB trial)
Lycopene inhibits disease progression in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia
Effect of the consumption of tomato paste on plasma prostate-specific antigen levels in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia
Dyslipidemia✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking a specific oral lycopene supplement 4 mg daily for 6 months reduces total cholesterol by 24% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 15%, and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 26% compared to baseline in post-menopausal women. Further clinical research in Japanese patients with high cholesterol showed that taking 50 grams of a semi-dried tomato containing 22.0-27.8 mg lycopene per day for 12 weeks modestly reduced LDL cholesterol levels, but did not affect HDL cholesterol levels, compared with taking 50 grams of tomato without lycopene.
Dosage
Orally
4 mg
Adults
Contribution of tomato phenolics to antioxidation and down-regulation of blood lipids
LycoRed as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy in lowering serum lipids and oxidative stress markers: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Tomato juice decreases LDL cholesterol levels and increases LDL resistance to oxidation
Effect of 12-Week Daily Intake of the High-Lycopene Tomato ( Solanum Lycopersicum), A Variety Named "PR-7", on Lipid Metabolism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study
Hypertension✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research in hypertensive patients shows that taking 15 to 30 mg lycopene a day for 6 to 8 weeks, as a specific tomato extract, appears to reduce systolic blood pressure by 7 to 13.5 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 4 to 6 mmHg compared with baseline values.
Dosage
Orally
15 - 30 mg
8 - weeks
Adults
Natural antioxidants from tomato extract reduce blood pressure in patients with grade-1 hypertension: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study
The effects of natural antioxidants from tomato extract in treated but uncontrolled hypertensive patients
Effect of Tomato Nutrient Complex on Blood Pressure: A Double Blind, Randomized Dose-Response Study
Cardiovascular diseases✪✪✪✪✪
Most epidemiological research has shown that higher serum lycopene levels and increased dietary intake of lycopene are associated with a modest reduction in the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including a reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke and mortality. However, results from intervention trials show that lycopene does not significantly improve most cardiovascular disease risk factors. Indeed, a review of clinical research shows that daily oral intake of 4-30 mg lycopene in addition to the usual diet does not improve diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, endothelial function or inflammatory factors compared to the usual diet alone in healthy patients. However, lycopene supplementation appears to reduce systolic blood pressure by around 6 mmHg.
Dosage
Orally
4 - 15 mg
Adults
Plasma carotenoids and tocopherols and risk of myocardial infarction in a low-risk population of US male physicians
Lycopene and tomato and risk of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence
Lycopene and myocardial infarction risk in the EURAMIC Study
Tomato and lycopene supplementation and cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lycopene and myocardial infarction risk in the EURAMIC Study.
Antioxidant state and mortality from coronary heart disease in Lithuanian and Swedish men: concomitant cross sectional study of men aged 50.
Plasma lycopene, other carotenoids, and retinol and the risk of cardiovascular disease in women.
Dietary lycopene, tomato-based food products and cardiovascular disease in women
Male fertility disorders✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking lycopene 2 mg orally twice a day for 3 months improves sperm concentration, motility and morphology in some men with idiopathic infertility.
Dosage
Orally
2 - 4 mg
3 - months
Men
UV exposure✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 10 mg to 16 mg of lycopene orally per day for 12 weeks, in the form of tomato concentrate or tomato extract, may provide some protection against sunburn.
Dosage
Orally
10 - 16 mg
12 - weeks
Adults
Dietary tomato paste protects against ultraviolet light-induced erythema in humans.
Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial.
Supplementation with tomato-based products increases lycopene, phytofluene, and phytoene levels in human serum and protects against UV-light-induced erythema.
Prostatitis✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research in men suffering from prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome shows that taking a specific combination of lycopene 5 mg, selenium 50 mcg and saw palmetto 320 mg daily for 8 weeks reduces pain scores by 52% compared to 26% with saw palmetto alone. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm Lycopene's action.
Dosage
Orally
5 mg
Men
Synergies
Saw Palmetto, Selenium
Prostate cancer✪✪✪✪✪
Epidemiological evidence on the role of lycopene in prostate cancer prevention is contradictory. Some research suggests that increased dietary intake of lycopene from tomatoes and tomato products, or higher serum levels of lycopene, are associated with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. However, other epidemiological studies show no association between dietary lycopene intake or serum lycopene levels and prostate cancer risk. A meta-analysis of 42 studies shows that the risk of developing prostate cancer decreases by 1% for every 2 mg of additional daily dietary lycopene intake, and decreases by 3.5% for every 10 mcg/dL increase in circulating lycopene levels. Preliminary clinical research in men with high-grade prostate intraepithelial tumours shows that oral lycopene supplementation at 4 mg twice daily for one year may delay or prevent progression to prostate cancer. In men with relapsed metastatic prostate cancer, oral lycopene 10 mg to 30 mg daily or tomato products providing an average of 43 mg lycopene daily for 3 to 6 months stabilized PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels in 29% to 95% of cases.
Dosage
Orally
8 - 30 mg
1 - Years
Men
A combination of tomato and soy products for men with recurring prostate cancer and rising prostate specific antigen
A prospective study of tomato products, lycopene, and prostate cancer risk
The role of tomato products and lycopene in the prevention of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Lycopene: a novel drug therapy in hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer
Increased dietary and circulating lycopene are associated with reduced prostate cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lycopene as a chemopreventive agent in the treatment of high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia
Response of hormone refractory prostate cancer to lycopene
Lycopene and soy isoflavones in the treatment of prostate cancer
Lycopene for advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer: a prospective, open phase II pilot study
Serum levels of folate, lycopene, β-carotene, retinol and vitamin E and prostate cancer risk
Prostate cancer and dietary carotenoids
Inverse associations between plasma lycopene and other carotenoids and prostate cancer
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in men with prostate cancer and rising PSA: effectiveness of a dietary supplement
Serum and tissue lycopene and biomarkers of oxidation in prostate cancer patients: a case-control study
Properties
Antioxidant
Lycopene is an antioxidant, reducing the formation of free radicals in cells and blood.
Anticancer
Lycopene has antioxidant effects and may reduce the risk of cancer by scavenging free radicals, thus preventing oxidative damage to DNA. Lycopene is also thought to suppress carcinogen-induced phosphorylation of regulatory proteins, such as the antioncogenes p53 and Rb, and to arrest cell division in the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle. Lycopene may protect against carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesions in rat liver by acting on cytochrome P450-2E1. It also reduces cell proliferation induced by insulin-like growth factors.
Related uses
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Dermatological effect
There is some interest in using lycopene to prevent acne. Clinical research in healthy patients suggests that consumption of lycopene-containing ice cream may reduce the risk of developing acne by reducing skin flaking and the presence of gram-positive bacteria on the skin. This study was limited by the absence of a placebo comparison.Lycopene may also help prevent UV light-induced skin damage by trapping reactive oxygen species and absorbing UVA and UVB rays. The lycopene molecule is modified by these processes, resulting in reduced lycopene levels in the skin.
Related uses
UV exposure
Hypolipidemic
Lycopene's cholesterol-lowering effects may be due to its inhibition of macrophage hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and its enhanced degradation and removal of LDL cholesterol from the circulation.
Related uses
Cardiovascular diseases, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulant
Lycopene inhibits platelet activation, including that induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen, in vitro. Suggested mechanisms include inhibition of thromboxane B2 formation and activation of cyclic GMP and nitrate formation in platelets.
Safety dosage
Adult: 45 mg
Lycopene supplements were used safely at doses of 15 mg to 45 mg per day for 4 to 6 months.
Interactions
Medicines
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulant: moderate interaction
Lycopene has anticoagulant activity in vitro, so theoretically, taking it with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Plants or other active ingredients
Lycopene: weak interaction
Calcium may reduce the absorption of lycopene and reduce its effects.
Lycopene: weak interaction
Lutein reduces the absorption of lycopene and could therefore diminish its effects.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Lycopene intake during pregnancy has been associated with premature births.
Breast-feeding women: avoid
There is insufficient reliable information available on the safety of lycopene supplements during breastfeeding.
Surgery: avoid
Lycopene has antiplatelet effects in vitro. Lycopene supplements may cause excessive bleeding if used in the perioperative period. Advise patients to stop taking lycopene supplements at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Scientific Council
This committee is notably composed of Takoua Touati, emergency physician, Hicham Amarti, pharmacist specializing in microbiota and Mounir Belkouch, biologist expert in essential oils.
