番茄红素的生理功能及其临床意义

The clinical application of lycopene

番茄红素是一种非常重要的类胡萝卜素，具有抗氧化和清除自由基、诱导细胞间隙连接通讯、抑制肿瘤细胞增殖、增强免疫力等多种重要生物活性，在抗癌防癌、预防心脑血管疾病、保护皮肤等方面都有明显的作用，是国际上功能性食品成分研究中的一个热点。根据有关文献资料，现就番茄红素的性质、来源、体内代谢、生理功能、临床意义进行扼要的综述。

Lycopene is a very important carotenoids, it has many kinds of biological activity, including antioxidant, clear free radical, induce gap junctional intercellular communication, inhibit tumor cell proliferation, increase immunity and so on. It also has many significant roles such as anticancer, prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and protect the skin and so on, so it is a hot international research spot in the functional food ingredients. According to the literature of China and abroad, now we summarize its character, source, body metabolism, physiological functions, clinical significance, clinical application, and look ahead its future prospects.