Protective Effect of Lycopene Rich Tomato Puree on the Development of Atherosclerosis/Heart Diseases in Animal Models

Background: Lycopene as an aliphatic carotenoid promulgated from tomato has gained the attention of new generation food and pharma scientists on the ground of its nutraceutical efficacy. It is a preeminent antioxidant known for its singlet oxygen quenching ability that reduces oxidative stress responsible for non-communicable diseases. In present investigation the health claim exploration ability of lycopene rich tomato puree as a dietary supplement was assessed by animal studies to project its hypolipidemic efficacy effective in reducing risk of heart diseases.

Aim: The present investigation aims to determine efficacy of tomato puree lycopene in monitoring atherogenesis mechanism through synergic mode of action of notified specialty features (total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol) in Wistar rats.

Study Design: Wistar rats (Positive control, high fat diet fed, HFD-Stain fed and HFD-tomato puree fed) were examined for general examinations (behavioural changes and body weight), Lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL cholesterol) on 0, 14 and 28th day of experiment to assess effect of tomato puree administration on wellbeing of rats against healthy, hyperlipidemic and standard drug status.

Place and Duration of Study: MIT School of Food Technology in collaboration with Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Parbhani (MAFSU, Nagpur), Maharashtra. The overall study duration was for 3 months.

Methodology: The experimental rats (Wistar) employed in present study were acquired from authorized breeder after the approval of the experimental protocol by Institutional Animal Ethical Committee (IAEC approval resolution no.: IAEC 58/19, Date 20/08/2019). Acclimatization of the animals was undertaken for 20 days during which they were provided with natural diet, pure and safe drinking water. CPCSEA (Committee for the purpose of control and supervision of experiments on animals) guidelines were followed while handling the experimental animals throughout the complete study duration. The experimental animals (32 Wistar rats) were segregated into four different groups (Positive control, high fat diet fed, HFD-Stain fed and HFD-tomato puree fed), containing 8 rats (4 male and 4 female). Animals from four distinguished groups were monitored regularly for general observations (body weights, behavioural changes and mortality changes) throughout the experimental period. The lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL) of blood serum samples was recorded using auto analyser on 0, 14th and 28th day of experiment.

Results: The data analysis, interpretation and reviewed literature infusion collectively underlined the efficacy of lycopene (tomato puree) in monitoring atherogenesis mechanism through synergic mode of action of notified specialty features (total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol) and projected an effective gateway to support disease infused health claim. The cumulative decrease in total cholesterol (159.99 to 126.40mg/dl), serum triglycerides (114.81 to 107.34mg/dl), LDL cholesterol (40.19 to 32.90mg/dl) and increase in HDL cholesterol (19.99 to 23.87mg/dl) of treated rats represents hypolipidemic efficacy of tomato puree lycopene.

Conclusion: The tomato puree mass being a viable lycopene source with innate antiatherogenic efficacy has rationally updated the review base critical appraisal leading to development of prototype of CVD to launch health claim. The human clinical study as a confirmation tool, may be the best option for next generation research.