Photoprotective and Antiphotomutagenic Potential Effect of Baccharis dracunculifolia Extract in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Model

In response to safety concerns associated with certain sunscreen ingredients, natural alternatives for ultraviolet absorption have gained increasing interest. This study evaluated the chemical composition and photoprotective and antiphotomutagenic potential of an ethanolic extract of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC., Asteraceae, using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomodel. ESI–QToF–LC–MS analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids and phenylpropanoids, including apigenin, caffeoylquinic acids, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and chlorogenic acid. In the yeast model, the extract protected S. cerevisiae yno1 cells against cytotoxic damage under high solar-simulated light exposure, indicating antioxidant-mediated photoprotection. Moreover, treated cells showed reduced solar-simulated light-induced photomutagenicity, evidenced by a lower frequency of CanR mutants, demonstrating protection against oxidative mutagenic lesions. These findings highlight B. dracunculifolia extract as a promising natural photoprotective ingredient with dual antioxidant and UV-absorbing properties, potentially reducing reliance on synthetic UV filters in sunscreen formulations.