Lycopene supplementation in rheumatic diseases: a comprehensive review

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound whose biological properties have been linked to modulation of oxidative stress, cytokine signaling, and bone metabolism. Given the central role of oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms in rheumatic diseases, lycopene has emerged as a potential nutraceutical adjunct. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding lycopene supplementation and its effects on rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders, integrating clinical, preclinical, and mechanistic data into a single comprehensive synthesis. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS up to July 2024, focusing on studies evaluating lycopene in rheumatic or musculoskeletal contexts. Three human studies met the inclusion criteria, all conducted in postmenopausal women, and demonstrated beneficial effects on bone metabolism and oxidative stress markers without adverse effects. Additional experimental evidence supports lycopene’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and bone-protective actions, reinforcing its potential biological relevance in rheumatology. Overall, the available evidence suggests that lycopene may represent a promising, safe, and accessible adjunct for oxidative stress modulation and bone preservation, particularly in osteoporosis. However, the magnitude and durability of these effects remain to be clarified in larger, well-designed randomized trials, especially in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.