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Bakuchi

Bakuchi is the seed of Psoralea corylifolia, a plant from traditional medicine that yields bakuchiol, a compound used in skin care as a plant-based alternative to retinol. For skin health the evidence is moderate: in a 12-week trial, wrinkles and pigmentation both improved about as much as with retinol, with less scaling and stinging. That trial included only 44 people, and vitiligo and psoriasis research is very limited, with psoriasis tested only in mice.

Best evidence
Grade B
Conditions studied
3
Outcomes
5
Graded outcomes
0302

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

3 conditions

Skin Health

Skin Health: outcomes studied for Bakuchi
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Wrinkle Surface Area

RCT (PMID: 29947134): 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily comparable to 0.5% retinol at 12 weeks; significant wrinkle reduction (p<0.05)

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect44 people
Hyperpigmentation

Significant improvement in pigment intensity and surface area at 12 weeks; no statistical difference from retinol

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect44 people
Tolerability (Scaling/Stinging)

Bakuchiol significantly better tolerated than retinol - less scaling and stinging at all timepoints

Changes; see studiesModerate effect44 people

Vitiligo

Vitiligo: outcomes studied for Bakuchi
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Repigmentation (VASI)

Pilot trial: P. corylifolia MT showed trend toward improvement in vitiligo; definitive conclusions not possible

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect60 people

Psoriasis

Psoriasis: outcomes studied for Bakuchi
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Antipsoriatic Activity

Mouse tail model: 75.87% antipsoriatic activity vs 87.94% for tazarot gel; preclinical only

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect

Key findings

  • Wrinkle Surface AreaSkin HealthImproves (the measure goes down)
  • HyperpigmentationSkin HealthImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Tolerability (Scaling/Stinging)Skin HealthChanges; see studies

Studies cited

9 studies from PubMed

  1. Applications of bakuchiol in dermatology: Systematic review of the literatureJ Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2022 · PMID 36176207
  2. Corylin, a flavonoid derived from Psoralea Fructus, induces osteoblastic differentiation via estrogen and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathwaysFASEB J, 2020 · PMID 31965654
  3. Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageingBr J Dermatol, 2019 · PMID 29947134
  4. Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti-aging effectsInt J Cosmet Sci, 2014 · PMID 24471735
  5. Osteoblasts proliferation and differentiation stimulating activities of the main components of Fructus Psoraleae corylifoliaePhytomedicine, 2014 · PMID 24220018
  6. Neobavaisoflavone stimulates osteogenesis via p38-mediated up-regulation of transcription factors and osteoid genes expression in MC3T3-E1 cellsPhytomedicine, 2012 · PMID 22397994
  7. Phytoestrogens from Psoralea corylifolia reveal estrogen receptor-subtype selectivityPlanta Med, 2010 · PMID 19577453
  8. Psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) is only moderately effective in widespread vitiligo: a 10-year retrospective studyClin Exp Dermatol, 2002 · PMID 11952699
  9. Treatment of vitiligo with UV-B radiation vs topical psoralen plus UV-AArch Dermatol, 1997 · PMID 9420536