Characteristics of bakuchiol - the compound with high biological activity and the main source of its acquisition - Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik

Abstract

The article presents the characteristics of bakuchiol – a natural compound valuable in cosmetology and pharmacology. The only source for obtaining this specific meroterpenic phenol is the fruit of the species Cullen corylifolium (Psoralea corylifolia). Bakuchiol has recently been playing a significant role in cosmetology as a “natural substitute” for retinol, free of side effects.

Clinical studies confirm valuable cosmetological properties of bakuchiol, such as anti-ageing, anti-pigmentation and anti-acne effects. Scientific research has also shown valuable pharmacological properties of bakuchiol, such as anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipemic, and antidepressant. In addition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobal activities of bakuchiol, valuable from the point of view of both cosmetology and therapy, have also been confirmed.

A separate part of the article is devoted to the botanical, chemical and pharmacological characteristics of the species C. corylifolium as the main source for obtaining bakuchiol.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Bakuchiol
• retinol
• Cullen corylifolium
• Psoralea corylifolia
• cosmetic properties
• therapeutic effects

Disclosure statement

All authors declares that they have no conflict of interest.

Author contribution statement

All authors read and approved the manuscript in its final form.

Additional information

Funding

The study was realized as a part of the research project N42/DBS/000121 in 2020-2021 supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.