A carotenoid with diverse biological activities; reduces hydrogen peroxide-induced production of ROS and phosphorylation of ERK and p38 and prevents inhibition of gap-junction intracellular communication in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells; reduces the number of colonic aberrant crypt foci and preneoplastic lesions in a rat model of N-methylnitrosourea-induced colon carcinogenesis at 0.2 mg per animal; reduces ear edema in a mouse model of TPA-induced inflammation,