Tomato Special Extract

Synonym(s): fruitflow, lycopene

Nutrient group: plant extracts & active ingredients

Sources and physiological effects

Dietary sources
The special tomato extract FruitFlow® is a patented and standardized raw material. Unlike normal tomato extract, the special extract processed to contain specific standardized active compounds.
Physiological effects
Antioxidant	Inhibition of lipid oxidation Oxygen free radical scavenger Antioxidant UV protection
Antithrombotic	Stabilization of platelet structure through inhibition of thrombin-induced aggregation and inhibition of glycoprotein 2b/3a
Cardiovascular	Reduction of LDL oxidation

Detailed information

Antithrombotic effects of special tomato extract

Fruitflow® is a water-soluble special extract of tomatoes with a standardised content of 37 bioactive ingredients. The antithrombotic effects of special tomato extract on human thrombocytes were first described in 2001. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 90 healthy persons a 70% reduction of platelet aggregation was demonstrated (1). Since then the antithrombotic properties of Fruitflow® have been tested in 10 different studies and confirmed by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). In the activation phase of blood clotting, smooth blood platelets change their surface and become "spiky". This reversible process can be triggered by a variety of factors such as stress or high cholesterol levels. This promotes platelet aggregation and increases the risk of thrombosis. The antithrombotic effect of tomato extract is based on the stabilisation of platelet structure by inhibiting thrombin-induced aggregation and inhibition of glycoprotein 2b/3a (1)(2). In contrast, blood clotting induced by thrombboxan and arachidonic acid is not significantly affected (3).

Atherioprotective effect as protection against cardiovascular diseases

In addition to antithrombotic effects, constituents from tomatoes also show direct positive effects on the functions of the cardiovascular system. Frequent consumption of tomato products correlates inversely with the frequency of cardiovascular diseases (4). The aterioprotective mechanism is based on the effect on cholesterol levels (5) and the efficient reduction of oxidative processes (6). In a study in healthy individuals with normal cholesterol levels, a significant reduction of LDL cholesterol by 12.9% and a decrease in oxidized phospholipids was demonstrated after a 3-week increase in tomato intake (5).

Indications

Effect	Indications	Dosage
Physiological effects at a low intake	For the suppression of thrombocyte aggregation, especially with increased thrombosis tendency	150 mg/d
	Therapeutic support for cardiovascular diseases	150 mg/d
	To improve the antioxidative status and to treat oxidative stress	150 mg/d
	For the prevention of travel thrombosis	150 mg/ 12 h

Administration

General mode of administration
When	Special tomato extract should be taken between meals.
	<Note: For optimal thrombosis prophylaxis, a single intake of extract immediately before the start of the journey is sufficient. For long-haul flights a further dose should be taken after 12 hours.
Side effects
No side effects are known to date.
Contraindications
No contraindications are known to date.

Interactions

Drug interactions
Anticoagulants (e.g. ASS, clopidogrel)	The simultaneous intake can increase the effect of anticoagulants.
Nutrient interactions
None	No relevant interactions are known to date.

References

Referenzen

1) Dutta-Roy, A. K. et al. 2001. Effects of tomato extract on human platelet aggregation in vitro. Platelets. 12(4):218-27.
2) Fuentes, E. et al. 2012. Bioassay-Guided Isolation and HPLC Determination of Bioactive Compound That Relate to the Antiplatelet Activity (Adhesion, Secretion, and Aggregation) from Solanum lycopersicum. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012:1-10. doi: 10.1155/2012/147031.
3) O'Kennedy, N. et al. 2006. Effects of antiplatelet components of tomato extract on platelet function in vitro and ex vivo: a time-course cannulation study in healthy humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 84(3):570-9.
4) Jacques, P.F. et al. 2013. Relationship of lycopene intake and consumption of tomato products to incident CVD. Br J Nutr. 110(3):545-51. doi: 10.1017/S0007114512005417.
5) Silaste, M. L. et al. 2007. Tomato juice decreases LDL cholesterol levels and increases LDL resistance to oxidation. Br J Nutr. 98(6):1251-8.
6) Catalano, A. et al. 2013. Comparative antioxidant effects of lycopene, apo-10'-lycopenoic acid and apo-14'-lycopenoic acid in human macrophages exposed to H₂O₂and cigarette smoke extract. Food Chem Toxicol. 51:71-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.08.050.

Referenzen Interaktionen:
Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und