Effect of lycopene in the treatment of periodontal disease: a clinical study.

Purpose: Several epidemiologic studies have suggested a role of tomato products in decreasing the risk of the development of diseases related to oxidative stress (cancer and other chronic diseases). Oxidative stress may result in periodontal tissue damage either directly or indirectly. Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant and the main carotenoid in tomato products possesses the greatest quenching ability of singlet oxygen among the various carotenoids and is effective in protecting blood lymphocytes from NOO-radical damage.