β-Carotene

β-Carotene (Provitamin A), a carotenoid compound, is a naturally-occurring vitamin A precursor. β-Carotene is a modulator of reactive oxygen species (ROS), with antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. β-Carotene may serve as an antioxidant or as a prooxidant, depending on its intrinsic properties as well as on the redox potential of the biological environment in which it acts. β-Carotene induces breast cancer cells apoptosis, with anticancer activities[1][2][3][4][5].

[2]Leo, M.A., et al. Alcohol, vitamin A, and beta-carotene: adverse interactions, including hepatotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Am J Clin Nutr, 1999. 69(6): p. 1071-85.|[3]Yanhong Cui, et al. beta-Carotene induces apoptosis and up-regulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression and reactive oxygen species production in MCF-7 cancer cells. Eur J Cancer. 2007 Nov;43(17):2590-601.|[4]Paola Palozza, et al. Prooxidant effects of beta-carotene in cultured cells. Mol Aspects Med. 2003 Dec;24(6):353-62.|[5]AKIFUMI KAWATA, et al. Anti-inflammatory Activity of β-Carotene, Lycopene and Tri-n-butylborane, a Scavenger of Reactive Oxygen Species. In Vivo. 2018 Mar-Apr; 32(2): 255-264.|[1]Tanumihardjo, S.A., Factors influencing the conversion of carotenoids to retinol: bioavailability to bioconversion to bioefficacy. Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2002. 72(1): p. 40-5.