Solanum lycopersicum and Daucus carota: effective anticancer agents (a mini review)

Abstract

Abstract The high cost, scarce availability, and some extraneous side effects of some pharmaceuticals have diverted the majority’s mindset towards the use of nutraceuticals as both prophylactic and therapeutic alternatives. The cancer incidence in the low and middle-income countries has risen due to several factors, but notably, it has been due to poverty and the non-availability of screening centers. The non-toxic nature, high availability, and low cost of food-based nutraceuticals have been a significant advantage to its users. Solanum lycopersicum is well-known to possess excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer potential, and this has been attributed to its potent bioactive compound, lycopene. The presence of β-carotene in Daucus Carota has also contributed immensely to its antioxidant and anticancer properties. Nutraceuticals are considered suitable for anticancer drug development due to their pleiotropic actions on target sites with multiple effects. This short review has explored the dietary characteristics, bioactive components and mild anticancer effects of tomatoes and carrots.