Unveiling the potential of Bakuchiol-A comprehensive review on pharmacological activities and therapeutic formulations

Abstract

Bakuchiol (BAK) is a natural phenolic meroterpene isolated from the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia that exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-aging, anti-microbial, hyperpigmentation, and anti-cancer activities. Furthermore, the usage of BAK is gaining popularity amongst researchers since it does not induce the same negative reactions as topical retinoids, such as blistering and scaling, allowing greater adoption for individuals with sensitive skin. The growing trend towards “clean” skin care products, as well as the hunt for retinoid substitutes, has elevated BAK to the status of a “must have” component in cosmetology and dermatology. Although, the pathogenesis of BAK is not completely understood yet it is known to play a pivotal role in acting as a scavenger of free radicals thus exerting an antioxidant effect which is helpful in the management of various skin disorders. It also regulates the expression of collagen and extracellular matrix synthesis enzymes which aids in reversing the signs of photo-aging. Moreover, natural sources of BAK are also being employed in traditional Chinese and Indian medicines due to their antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. In this review we have provided the occurrence, extraction, isolation methods and structure-activity relationships of BAK. Moreover, this review discusses the pharmacological benefits of BAK, its novel and marketed formulations and a brief overview of its patents.