ABSTRACT
In this paper, we complement our previous study on the antiproliferative activity of Calea fruticosa (Asteraceae) by isolating the compounds apigenin-4',7-dimethyl ether (1), budlein A (2), quercetin (3), and cichoriin (4) from the plant's aerial parts. The antiproliferative activity of these compounds was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method against human tumor cell lines. Compound 3 displayed moderate antiproliferative activity in three cell lines (HCT-116, PC-3, and SF-295, with cell growth inhibition values of 72.97, 74.55, and 68.94%) and high antiproliferative activity (90.86%) in the HL-60 cell line. The in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) of the extracts and compound 4, with and without sunscreen, was determined by a spectrophotometric method. The ethanol extract exhibited the highest SPF (9.67) at a concentration of 0.100 mg/mL, while compound 4, isolated from this extract, showed a SPF of 13.79 at the same concentration. A relative increased efficacy of SPF was observed for the extracts and compound 4 when sunscreen was also used. Compound 4 has not been reported previously from any species within the genus Calea. Compounds 1-4 were obtained from this species for the first time.