Lycopene as A Carotenoid Provides Radioprotectant and Antioxidant Effects by Quenching Radiation-Induced Free Radical Singlet Oxygen: An Overview

Radio-protectors are agents that protect human cells and tissues from undesirable effectsof ionizing radiation by mainly scavenging radiation-induced free radicals. althoughchemical radio-protectors diminish these deleterious side effects they induce a numberof unwanted effects on humans such as blood pressure modifications, vomiting, nausea,and both local and generalized cutaneous reactions. these disadvantages have led toemphasis on the use of some botanical radio-protectants as alternatives. this review hascollected and organized studies on a plant-derived radio-protector, lycopene. lycopeneprotects normal tissues and cells by scavenging free radicals. therefore, treatment ofcells with lycopene prior to exposure to an oxidative stress, oxidative molecules or ionizingradiation may be an effective approach in diminishing undesirable effects of radiationbyproducts. studies have designated lycopene to be an effective radio-protector withnegligible side effects.