Topically Applied Lycopene and Antioxidant Capacity

Various antioxidant substances have a protective effect on the skin when applied in suitable formulations. Natural lycopene (extracted from tomato), incorporated in an oil/water emulsion at a concentration of 0.03% and applied to the skin 30 min before ultraviolet exposure, decreased the erythema induced by UV radiation. Lycopene was more effective when associated with a-tocopherol palmitate and ascorbic acid, at concentrations of 0.5% and 1%, respectively. Since lycopene does not screen UV radiation, its protective ability is due to antioxidant activity. The potentiation of its effectiveness by vitamins E and C can probably be attributed to an interaction between the three substances in the cascade of events leading to the antiradical effect. As proposed for b-carotene, lycopene may act by repairing the tocopherol radical, after which it is repaired by the ascorbic acid. The efficiency of the system could be related to the different affinities (lipophilic or hydrophilic) of the components of this triple association. Because of its characteristics, lycopene is particularly suitable for topical application in sunscreens or in any preparation designed to prevent or reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stimuli.