The therapeutic effects of lycopene on mitochondrial function in human diseases

Mitochondrial function is the central mediator of cellular energy metabolism, redox balance, and death. Mitochondria also are key players in cellular oxidative stress and innate immunity responses. Given their vital roles in human health and disease, mitochondria represent an important target for the development of therapeutics. Lycopene, one of the most abundant dietary carotenoids, has demonstrated potential for use as an effective preventive and therapeutic agent to combat various human diseases. In this chapter, we review the findings of recent studies of the effects of lycopene on mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and human diseases such as neurotoxicity, cardiovascular disease, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cancer. Experimental investigations have provided substantial insight into the preventive and therapeutic effects of lycopene on mitochondrial structure and function altered in human diseases.