Hypericum brasiliense: assessment of the antioxidant potential in UVA-induced in vitro phototoxicity

Abstract

Photoaging induced by ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation is mainly caused by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, which trigger undesirable changes in the skin, such as inflammatory reactions, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity. In this context, plant ingredients have been highlighted in recent decades due to their antioxidant mechanisms. This study investigated the potential of Hypericum brasiliense ethanolic extract against UVA-induced damage in 3T3 fibroblasts. Cells exposed to a single UVA dose (4 J/cm², 30 min) were treated with different extract concentrations. The results showed that H. brasiliense extract has antioxidant potential, mitigating UVA-induced stress by reducing ROS and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the extract stimulated fibroblast proliferation, suggesting its potential to restore cell viability after radiation-induced damage. The search for replacing synthetic actives with natural ones reinforces the importance of these findings on the antioxidant and regenerative properties of H. brasiliense extract, making it a promising anti-aging ingredient or a sunscreen adjuvant.

Keywords: Hypericum brasiliense; Phototoxicity; UVA; antioxidant; plant extracts.