Bioactive compounds of tomato: Cancer chemopreventive effects and influence on the transcriptome in hepatocytes

The mechanisms of the effects of tomato extracts (containing lycopene and phenolic compounds) and these pure bioactive compounds on the viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, and the scavenging of ROS of HepG2 cells were investigated. Simultaneously, a transcriptomic analysis in human hepatocytes from obese patients, after the intake of tomato juice, was carried out using Human Gene Expression Array (Affymetrix). The viability of HepG2 decreased after exposure to tomato extracts and pure compounds, but none showed apoptotic activity; however, lycopene was able to inhibit cell cycle progression in phase S. Tomato extracts and pure compounds were able to decrease the ROS generation, the phenolic compounds being more effective than lycopene. Transcriptomic analysis suggested a involvement in the regulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis pathways after the intake of tomato juice, through the lycopene accumulation. These results showed that tomato juice have potential as functional foods for maintenance of liver health.