Lycopene mitigates acrylamide and glycidamide induced cellular toxicity via oxidative stress modulation in HepG2 cells

Acrylamide (ACR), a carcinogen and neurotoxin formed in carbohydrate-rich high temperature processed foods, undergo epoxidation in cells to form more toxic metabolite glycidamide (GLY). The present study investigated antioxidant potential of lycopene (LYC) against ACR and GLY induced toxicity in human liver cell line (HepG2). The treatment of HepG2 cells with LYC for 2 h prior to ACR and GLY exposure enhanced cell viability by 10% and 8% and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a dose dependent manner. Also, significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activity such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione (GSH) level, with reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-oxo-dG level on LYC pre-treatment. Mitochondrial function on LYC pre-treated cells exhibit an increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) level. Data supports the enhancement of antioxidant defence by LYC, against ACR and GLY-induced toxicity.

Automated summary

The study found that lycopene (LYC) can enhance the antioxidant defense against acrylamide (ACR) and glycidamide (GLY) induced toxicity in liver cells, by increasing cell viability, reducing reactive oxygen species production, and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.