Inhibition of Osteoclast Differentiation by Carotenoid Derivatives through Inhibition of the NF-ƙB Pathway.

The bone protective effects of carotenoids have been demonstrated in several studies, and the inhibition of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by lycopene has also been demonstrated. We previously reported that carotenoid oxidation products are the active mediators in the activation of the transcription factor Nrf2 and the inhibition of the NF-ƙB transcription system by carotenoids. Here, we demonstrate that lycopene oxidation products are more potent than intact lycopene in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation.