Lycopene as an antioxidant in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with the risk of chronic diseases, including osteoporosis. Antioxidants can counteract the damaging effects of ROS in the body and in the bone-forming cells, osteoblasts, and the bone-resorbing cells, osteoclasts. This review will include an overview on osteoporosis, the role of oxidative stress in the development of osteoporosis, and the results of our studies on the beneficial effects of the antioxidant lycopene in clinical trials on postmenopausal women and on osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In conclusion, we recommended that lycopene may be a good alternative or complementary to other drugs in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.