Could a plant metabolite act as a natural sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer?

by Wiley

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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Research in Photochemistry and Photobiology indicates that a plant metabolite that can block the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light has promising potential as a natural sunscreen when applied to human skin.

The metabolite, called brachycerine, is a major leaf glucoside alkaloid from the tree Psychotria brachyceras. It absorbs light in the UV range and is a powerful antioxidant protecting the plant's photosynthetic machinery against this radiation.

Investigators found that when applied to human skin samples, skin care formulations containing brachycerine or foliar extract protected the integrity of nerve endings and prevented DNA damage when the samples were exposed to UV-A and UV-B light. The study showed that brachycerine is not toxic to mammalian cells.

"The alkaloid seems to have a dual mode of action, both shielding skin against UV and mitigating the destructive chemicals that this radiation produces in cells," said corresponding author Arthur Germano Fett-Neto, Ph.D., of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in Brazil.

"Since we know how to vegetatively propagate the source plant, this finding represents a promising, sustainable key component for novel broad-spectrum natural sunscreens."

Publication details

Evaluation of the Plant Glucoside Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid Brachycerine for Potential Protection of Human Skin Against Ultraviolet Damage, Photochemistry and Photobiology (2026). DOI: 10.1111/php.70171

Journal information: Photochemistry and Photobiology

Key medical concepts

DNA DamageUltraviolet B Radiation

Clinical categories

DermatologySkin & Hair carePreventive medicineCommon illnesses & Prevention Provided by Wiley Who's behind this story?

Gaby Clark

MA in English, copy editor since 2021 with experience in higher education and health content. Dedicated to trustworthy science news. Full profile →

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Citation: Could a plant metabolite act as a natural sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer? (2026, November 9) retrieved 9 November 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-metabolite-natural-sunscreen-skin-cancer.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.