Effect of tomato intake on striatal monoamine level in a mouse model of experimental Parkinson's disease.

An ingestion of tomato powder rich in lycopene was examined for its effect on mice with Parkinson's disease-like syndrome induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). To assess the preventive effect of tomato against the MPTP-induced selective destruction of dopaminergic nigrostrie, we determined striatal dopamine (DA). A 4-wk ingestion of the experimental diet containing 20% (w/w) lyophilized tomato powders before MPTP treatment prevented a decrease in the DA level. This suggests that the tomato ingestion might serve as a preventive against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease caused by MPTP and other environmental toxins.