Plant Compound Shields Human Skin From UV Damage
Skincare formulations containing brachycerine from the tree Psychotria brachyceras protected human skin samples from UV-A and UV-B light in laboratory tests.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Botany
Research published in Photochemistry and Photobiology reported that brachycerine, a leaf glucoside alkaloid from Psychotria brachyceras, protected human skin samples exposed to UV-A and UV-B light. Skincare formulations containing the compound or its foliar extract preserved nerve-ending integrity and prevented DNA damage in the samples.
Why it matters
UV exposure is a major driver of skin damage, and identifying plant-derived compounds that defend against it could inform future skincare ingredients. The study also reports that brachycerine is not toxic to mammalian cells, a key consideration for any cosmetic application.
The evidence is a laboratory study on human skin samples, which reported protection of nerve-ending integrity and prevention of DNA damage from UV-A and UV-B exposure without quantified results in the available extraction. Whether these effects hold in living skin or over extended use remains unresolved.
The players
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
A public university in Brazil whose researchers led the study, and which is the institution of the corresponding author.
The details
Investigators applied skincare formulations containing brachycerine or foliar extract from Psychotria brachyceras to human skin samples, then exposed the samples to UV-A and UV-B light. The compound absorbs UV light and acts as an antioxidant that protects the plant's own photosynthetic machinery, a property the researchers tested in human tissue.
Timeline
News-medical.net published coverage of the brachycerine research on November 4, 2026.
Botany Context
The study extends a line of research in Photochemistry and Photobiology examining natural photoprotective compounds, adding a leaf alkaloid from a tropical tree as a candidate. Plant-derived antioxidants have long been investigated as alternatives to synthetic UV filters in cosmetics.
Skincare products using brachycerine would need further testing before reaching consumers, so no immediate changes to available products are reported. The findings suggest plant-based ingredients may eventually offer additional options for UV protection in daily skincare.
The takeaway
Natural plant compounds are being tested as potential components of sun-protective skincare. Consumers should continue relying on established sun-protection measures while research on new ingredients develops.
Further reading
Explore more plant research in our Botany section.
More information
Read the original Photochemistry and Photobiology brachycerine study paper from the journal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News-Medical.
