The common mechanism of lycopene and statins in reducing blood cholesterol

Statin drugs are inhibitors of the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA), which reduces cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This group includes simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin, and others. Although statins are very effective drugs for lowering blood cholesterol, their negative effects include muscle pain, muscle weakness, and neuropathy in some patients. In addition to containing beneficial nutrients such as folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and phytochemicals such as polyphenols, tomatoes also contain a natural pigment called lycopene. Lycopene, a carotenoid responsible for the red color of tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit, is generally found in ripe fruits with a deep red color and vegetables. Cooking and processing also increase the lycopene content and its bioavailability. Dietary fat increases lycopene absorption by increasing bile production to form bile micelles. The rate of lycopene absorption in humans is 10-30%. The amount of lycopene in each gram of fresh tomato and watermelon is 8.8-42 and 23-72 micrograms, respectively.