Antiproliferative and photoprotective effects of Hamelia patens phenolic extracts

Abstract

There is a growing need for novel targeted therapeutic drugs against cancer with new molecular targets. Moreover, UV-induced skin carcinogenesis and photoaging concerns are gaining strength among the population. Plants are pools of phytochemical compounds, including polyphenols, with many potential therapeutic effects. Here, the antioxidant activity, chemotherapeutic and photoprotective properties of two phenolic Hamelia patens leaves extracts (Hp2019 and Hp2021) from different harvest dates were evaluated. Hp2021 showed the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity compared to Hp2019. However, Hp2019 has the greatest antiproliferative effect in prostate cancer cells. The effect was more pronounced in the androgen-sensitive cell line LNCaP compared to the androgen-independent PC3 cell line, pointing to an androgen-disrupting mechanism. Both extracts showed a photoprotective effect from UV-induced damage in murine cells and had no cytotoxic effect against these normal cells. However, the molecular mechanisms behind the biological and therapeutic properties of H. patens extracts remain unknown; thus, further research should be conducted.