Author(s)

Safaiatul Islam^*, Abu Hena Mostofa Kamal, Md. Ziaur Rahman, Protul Kumar Roy, A. Y. K. Md. Masud Rana

Molecular Radiobiology and Biodosimetry Division, Institute of Food and Radiation Biology, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Savar, Bangladesh.

Background: The accumulation of free radicals is linked to a number of diseases. Free radicals can be scavenged by antioxidants and reduce their harmful effects. It is therefore essential to look for naturally occurring antioxidants that come from plants, as synthetic antioxidants are toxic, carcinogenic and problematic for the environment. Lycopene is one of the carotenoids, a pigment that dissolves in fat and has antioxidant properties. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The impact of lycopene on bacteria (E. coli) susceptibility to γ-radiation was examined by radio sensitivity assay. The study also examined the induction of strand breaks in plasmid pUC19 DNA and how lycopene extract protected the DNA from γ-radiation in vitro. Results: At varying concentrations, lycopene demonstrated its ability to scavenge free radicals such as 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). IC₅₀ for lycopene was determined at 112 μg/mL which was almost partial to IC₅₀ of standard antioxidant L-ascorbic acid. The D₁₀ value 180 Gy of E. coli was found to be >2-fold higher in the extract-containing lycopene sample than in the extract-free controls. The lycopene extracts inhibited the radiation-induced deterioration of the plasmid pUC19 DNA. At an IC₅₀ concentration, lycopene provided the highest level of protection. Conclusion: Lycopene functions as an efficient free radical scavenger and possible natural antioxidant source. For cancer patients and others who frequently expose themselves to radiation, lycopene may be a useful plant-based pharmaceutical product for treating a variety of diseases caused by free radicals.

Radio Protective, Antioxidants, Free Radical, DNA Damage, pUC19 Plasmid, Gamma Irradiation, DPPH

Islam, S. , Kamal, A. , Rahman, M. , Roy, P. and Masud Rana, A. (2024) In Vitro Antioxidant and Radio Protective Activities of Lycopene from Tomato Extract against Radiation—Induced DNA Aberration. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 12, 202-213. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2024.122015.