Introduction
Bioactive compounds in lychee
Neuroprotective effects
Anti-cancer potential
Safety and dosage considerations
Current research gaps
Conclusions
References
Further reading
Explore how lychee’s potent compounds may protect the brain and fight cancer, while scientists race to translate these promising findings into safe, standardized therapies.
Lychees. Image Credit: Abdul Momin Photographer / Shutterstock.com
Introduction
Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is a tropical Sapindaceae fruit that is native to China and widely cultivated throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Lychee is rich in numerous bioactive molecules with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer properties, some of which include epicatechin, procyanidins, and anthocyanins. It also provides polysaccharides, vitamins, and minerals such as potassium, which contribute to its nutritional and nutraceutical profile. As a result, lychee-derived compounds have been widely studied for their potential therapeutic applications.1
Bioactive compounds in lychee
Lychee concentrates potent phytochemicals in its peel and seeds, the most prevalent of which include epicatechin, quercetin, anthocyanins, rutin, catechin, procyanidin A2, an A-type procyanidin dimer, as well as the B-type procyanidin dimer procyanidin B2. These phytochemicals are complemented by carbohydrates, amino acids, and vitamins, supporting both antioxidant and metabolic benefits. These polyphenols and flavonoids donate electrons or hydrogen atoms and chelate metals, providing a strong biochemical basis for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.1,2
Bioactive compounds present in L. chinensis for the development of innovative products and their benefits to health1
Pericarp, which is otherwise known as the lychee peel, is a particularly rich source of these compounds, as demonstrated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Lychee seeds also contain high levels of phenolic fractions, which suggests that lychee byproducts could function as concentrated nutraceutical ingredients and functional foods.2
Pericarp extracts exhibit dose-dependent free-radical scavenging activity in vitro using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. In vivo, these extracts mitigate D-galactose-induced oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increasing glutathione (GSH) levels, and decreasing protein carbonyl levels, while enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity to counteract reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation.2
Neuroprotective effects
In a type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model with cognitive impairment, lychee seed extract (LSE) improved Morris water-maze performance, reduced β-amyloid (Aβ), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and Tau in the hippocampus, normalized acetylcholinesterase distribution, as well as reduced cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) neuronal injury, changes consistent with lower oxidative and metabolic stress.3
The polyphenol-rich profile of lychee enhances endogenous antioxidant defenses through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element axis while reducing neuroinflammation by restraining nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)-driven cytokine signaling. Polyphenols may also activate protein kinase C (PKC) pathways, contributing to neuronal resilience and potentially delaying Alzheimer’s disease progression.3,4
Flavonoid-rich foods are associated with improved learning and memory, as well as protection of vulnerable neurons, thereby supporting future research on the potential benefits of lychee polyphenols for mitigating cognitive decline. In Parkinson’s disease models, fruit phenolics like catechins and epicatechins protect dopaminergic neurons from 6-hydroxydopamine, a mechanism consistent with Nrf2 activation and NF-κB suppression.4
Lychees. Image Credit: S_Dedy / Shutterstock.com
Anti-cancer potential
Lychee leaf-extract-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to exhibit anti-cancer activity by suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis in various human cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, green plant-derived AgNPs increase ROS, destabilize mitochondrial integrity to cause mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), release cytochrome c, assemble the apoptosome, as well as activate caspase-9 and caspase-3 within the mitochondria-dependent intrinsic pathway.5
Phytochemicals and plant-based nanoparticles contribute to cell-cycle arrest and anti-angiogenic effects by inhibiting cell-cycle proteins, disrupting microtubule assembly, and suppressing angiogenesis. For example, green-synthesized AgNPs induce apoptosis in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells by generating ROS, as well as caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation. Furthermore, green AgNPs induce apoptosis and oxidative stress in both normal and cancerous human hepatic cells in vitro, thus indicating a selective vulnerability of mitochondria in hepatocellular systems.5
In addition to nanoparticle approaches, lychee seed proanthocyanidins have been linked to anti-cancer mechanisms, including apoptosis induction, inhibition of α-amylase and tyrosinase, and suppression of angiogenesis.1,5
Safety and dosage considerations
Unripe lychee contains methylenecyclopropyl glycine (MCPG), a hypoglycin-A-related toxin that reduces hepatic glucose levels and inhibits β-oxidation. These effects can worsen acute hypoglycemia and encephalopathy, particularly among undernourished children.6
MCPG has been detected in lychee pulp and seeds, with outbreaks often coinciding with pesticide co-exposures. While moderate consumption of ripe lychee pulp is considered safe, unripe fruit and excessive intake pose risks of hypoglycemia, particularly in malnourished populations.6,7
Additional studies are needed to verify bioavailability, dissolution, and the pharmacokinetics of standardized and well-characterized extracts. Clinical trials should also prioritize standardized preparations and monitoring patients for sex-specific adverse effects.7,8
Current research gaps
To date, few large and well-controlled human clinical trials have been performed on lychee extracts. As a result, most evidence is based on in vitro or in vivo data. Absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion profiles, active metabolites, and tissue targeting also remain undefined.7,8
Bioactive compound concentrations can also differ by cultivar, growing conditions, ripeness, and extraction or processing methods, which limits dose comparisons and reproducibility. Standardized sourcing, validated assays, and harmonized protocols are required to enable accurate trials and regulatory evaluation.7,8
Health Benefits Of Eating Lychee | Healthy Eating | Keto Health 101
Conclusions
Lychee consumption has been associated with a wide range of beneficial effects, including reduced oxidative stress, modulation of Nrf2 and NF-κB, improved amyloid and Tau pathology, protection of dopaminergic neurons, as well as anti-cancer effects such as cell-cycle arrest, mitochondrial apoptosis, and anti-angiogenesis.2–5
Additional mechanisms include the modulation of PKC pathways for neuroprotection and the inhibition of α-amylase and tyrosinase enzymes in cancer-related models.1,4,5
To translate these promising findings into clinical applications, additional research is needed to establish standardized extracts, pharmacokinetic profiles, optimal dosing strategies, and rigorous quality control measures. Well-designed multicenter randomized clinical trials with safety monitoring, biomarker validation, and defined clinical outcomes will also be essential.7,8
References
- Castillo-Olvera, G., Sandoval-Cortes, J., Ascacio-Valdes, J. A., et al. (2025). Litchi chinensis: nutritional, functional, and nutraceutical properties. Food Production, Processing and Nutrition 7(1). DOI:10.1186/s43014-024-00275-z, https://fppn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s43014-024-00275-z
- Yang, Z., Zhang, L., Wu, Y. H., et al. (2022). Evaluation of chemical constituents of litchi pericarp extracts and its antioxidant activity in mice. Foods 11(23). DOI:10.3390/foods11233837, https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/23/3837
- Tang, Y., Yu, C., Wu, J., et al.. (2018). Lychee seed extract protects against neuronal injury and improves cognitive function in rats with type II diabetes mellitus with cognitive impairment. International Journal of Molecular Medicine 41(1); 251-263. DOI:10.3892/ijmm.2017.3245, https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3245
- Roy, S., Roy, S. C., Zehravi, M., et al.. (2025). Exploring the neuroprotective benefits of phytochemicals extracted from indigenous edible fruits in Bangladesh. Animal Models and Experimental Medicine 8(2); 239-265. DOI:10.1002/ame2.12522, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ame2.12522
- Wani, A. K., Akhtar, N., Mir, T., et al.. (2023). Targeting apoptotic pathway of cancer cells with phytochemicals and plant-based nanomaterials. Biomolecules 13(2). DOI:10.3390/biom13020194, https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/2/194
- Sinha, S. N., Ramakrishna, U. V., Sinha, P. K., & Thakur, C. P. (2020). A recurring disease outbreak following litchi fruit consumption among children in Muzaffarpur, Bihar—A comprehensive investigation on factors of toxicity. PLoS One 15(12). DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0244798, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0244798
- Floyd, Z. E., Ribnicky, D. M., Raskin, I., et al.. (2022). Designing a clinical study with dietary supplements: it’s all in the details. Frontiers in Nutrition 8. DOI:10.3389/fnut.2021.779486, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.779486/full
- Kanungo, J., Sorkin, B. C., Krzykwa, J., et al. (2024). Screening tools to evaluate the neurotoxic potential of botanicals: building a strategy to assess safety. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology 20(7); 629-646. DOI:10.1080/17425255.2024.2378895, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17425255.2024.2378895
Last Updated: Sep 2, 2025