Carotenoid compositions of coloured tomato cultivars and contribution to antioxidant activities and protection against H2O2-induced cell death in H9c2

► Thirteen tomato cultivars with distinct colour and carotenoid compositions were studied, many are unique. ► The potential cardio-protective role were proven in different colour of tomatoes. ► The carotenoids especially lycopene have protective effect against H2O2 mediated cell death. ► The protective role was through attenuation of the caspase-3 and MMP-2 activities.