Lycopene (1989, 2018, 2019) & Cognitive Neuroprotection

Lycopene, a carotenoid, has demonstrated greater singlet oxygen quenching abilities (fights free radicals) compared with the other carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.¹ Lycopene has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, suppressing production of inflammatory cytokines, and reducing accumulation of amyloid plaques.^{2, 3}

Lycopene has been shown to attenuate cognitive deficits by improving inflammation in the gut-liver-brain axis as well improving glycolipid metabolism,⁴ the mechanisms by which lycopene provides neurocognitive protection as well as inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and restoration of mitochondrial function.⁵ Glycolipids help to maintain cell membrane stability and connectivity to other cells. Mitochondria are the parts of the cell that produce energy for the cell.

However a review of the literature reports that the evidence is inconclusive: there are positive relationships between lycopene levels and maintained cognition, but weak relationships between low lycopene levels and death from Alzheimer's.⁶

Research

1. Di Mascio P, Kaiser S, Sies H. (1989). Lycopene as the most efficient biological carotenoid singlet oxygen quencher. Arch Biochem Biophys. Nov 1; 274(2):532-8.
2. Wang J, Li L, Wang Z, Cui Y, Tan X, et al. (2018). Supplementation of lycopene attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced amyloidogenesis and cognitive impairments via mediating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. J Nutr Biochem. Jun; 56():16-25.
3. Liu CB, Wang R, Yi YF, Gao Z, Chen YZ. (2018). Lycopene mitigates B-amyloid induced inflammatory response and inhibits NF-kB signaling at the choroid plexus in early stages of Alzheimer's disease rats. J Nutr Biochem. Mar;53-66-71.
4. Lycopene attenuates western-diet-induced cognitive deficits via improving glycolipid metabolism dysfunction and inflammatory responses in gut-liver-brain axis. Wang J, Wang Z, Li B, Qiang Y, Yuan T, Tan X, Wang Z, Liu Z, Liu X Int J Obes (Lond). 2019 Sep; 43(9):1735-1746.
5. Chen D, Huang C, Chen Z. (2019). A review for the pharmacological effect of lycopene in central nervous system disorders. Biomed Pharmacother. Mar; 111():791-801. 6. Crowe-White KM, Phillips TA, Ellis AC. (2019). Lycopene and cognitive function. J Nutr Sci. May 29;8:3=e20.