Volume 29, Issue 163, September 2025

Lycopene: antioxidant properties and medical applications. A review of the literature

Żanna Gawrysz^1♦, Karolina Capar², Stanisław Derewjanko², Joanna Gaik², Julia Woźniak², Zofia Cholewa²

¹Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, Multispecialty Hospital in Nowa Sól, ul. Chałubińskiego 7, 67-000 Nowa Sól, Poland
²Collegium Medicum of the University of Zielona Gora, ul. Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Żanna Gawrysz, Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, Multispecialty Hospital in Nowa Sól, ul. Chałubińskiego 7, 67-000 Nowa Sól, Poland

ABSTRACT

In recent years, lycopene and its effects on the body have become a popular topic for research due to the distinctive anti-inflammatory properties of this compound. This study presents a review of the literature related to the biological role of lycopene and its possible application in healthcare. Carotenoids are potent antioxidants. Among them is lycopene, which has the highest concentration in the human body. Antioxidants have a positive impact on health and play a protective role in many non-communicable diseases. Lycopene has remarkable antioxidant properties, which result in its potential protective use in numerous chronic diseases. It contributes to the prevention and supportive treatment of cancers and cardiovascular diseases. It influences the regulation of metabolic processes related to carbohydrate metabolism. Examples of them are type II diabetes and insulin resistance. It shows beneficial effects in depressive disorders. It also positively affects skin health, which is especially evident in the areas of photoprotection, antiaging, and acne treatment.

Keywords: lycopene, antioxidant, carotenoids, tomato products

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e166ms3678

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i163.e166ms3678

Published: 16 September 2025