Bioaccessibility, in vitro antioxidant activities and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of a purple tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

•The in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of a unique purple tomato V118.•The bioaccessibility of the phytochemicals in V118 before and after gastrointestinal digestion.•Correlation between the phytochemicals and cellular antioxidant activity.•Changes of biomarkers and enzyme activities in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema rat. The bioaccessibility, antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory activities of phytochemicals in a purple tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) V118 was studied using a simulated gastrointestinal digestion model, chemical and cell based antioxidant assays. The total phenolic and carotenoid contents and the antioxidant activities were significantly lowered (37–72%) and degradation seemed to have occurred during the in vitro digestion. Results indicated that these phytochemicals were bioavailable to the cells as demonstrated by the cell based antioxidant assay. Extracts from the purple tomato showed significant and dose dependent anti-inflammatory effect in the in vivo carrageenan-induced paw oedema rat study (oedematous inhibition: 7.48% and 13.8%), suggesting that anthocyanins may play a role in the anti-inflammatory effect. Direct antioxidant actions as indicated by reduced MDA and NO production and indirect actions as shown in increased GPx and SOD activities in oedematous tissue support the conclusion that tomatoes containing anthocyanins can potentially provide better protection against oxidative stress related chronic diseases of humans.