Mechanistic understanding of beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene in cancer prevention in animal models

Authors: LIM, JI YE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; WANG, XIANG-DONG - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: BBA Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/2020
Publication Date: 2/5/2020
Citation: Lim, J., Wang, X. 2020. Mechanistic understanding of beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene in cancer prevention in animal models. BBA Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158652.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158652

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To better understand the potential function of carotenoids in the chemoprevention of cancers, mechanistic understanding of carotenoid action on genetic and epigenetic signaling pathways is critically needed for human studies. The use of appropriate animal models are the most justifiable approaches to resolve mechanistic issues regarding protective effects of carotenoids at specific organs and tissue sites. While the initial impetus for studying the benefits of carotenoids in cancer prevention was their antioxidant capacity and pro-vitamin A activity, significant advances have been made in the understanding of the action of carotenoids with regards to other mechanisms. This review will focus on two common carotenoids, provitamin A carotenoid beta-cryptoxanthin and non-provitamin A carotenoid lycopene, as promising chemopreventive agents or chemotherapeutic compounds against cancer development and progression. We reviewed animal studies demonstrating that beta- cryptoxanthin and lycopene effectively prevent the development or progression of various cancers and the potential mechanisms involved. The recent research indicate that the biological functions of carotenoids are mediated, partially via their oxidative metabolites, through their effects on key molecular targeting events, such as NF-kappaB signaling pathway, RAR/PPARs signaling, SIRT1 signaling pathway, and p53 tumor suppressor pathways. The molecular targets by beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene, offer new opportunities to further our understanding of common and distinct mechanisms that involve carotenoids in cancer prevention.