Lycopene stabilizes liver function during d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide induced hepatitis in rats

Hepatitis remains as clinical challenge and a problem of great importance in developing and underdeveloped world. Acute hepatitis can have serious health effects including mortality. There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis. Care is aimed at maintaining comfort and adequate nutritional balance. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant of carotenoid family found in fruits and vegetables. The consumption of lycopene-rich foods, such as tomato paste, chilli sauce, and spaghetti sauce, has been demonstrated to prevent the occurrence of a number of chronic diseases including various types of cancers. Lycopene has been associated with a number of health benefits particularly in regard to prostate, lung, heart and skin health. The present investigation was carried upon to explore the role of lycopene on liver health by analyzing the biochemical parameters and liver marker enzymes during experimentally induced hepatitis in animal model and the findings strongly suggest that lycopene is potential agent of hepatoprotection.