baachi

Babchi (Psoralea corylifolia L.): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity and Botanical Classification

Accepted Names and Synonyms

Psoralea corylifolia L. [accepted name: Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik], belongs to the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae). The plant is commonly known as babchi or bakuchi across different traditional medical systems, with the name varying by language and region. It belongs to the Fabaceae family (Simbi Kula) and carries the English designation "psoralea seeds," while in Hindi it is called bavachi, in Bengali habuch, in Telugu bavanchalu, in Tamil karpokarishi, and in Malayalam karkokil. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it is known as "Buguzhi" or "Bu-gu-zhi". Referred to as "Bu-gu-zhi" in Chinese, it has held great medicinal value since ancient times. The dried ripe fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L. has been widely used in TCM for the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency, enuresis and urinary frequency, chills and pain of the waist and knees, dawn diarrhea, and vitiligo.

Botanical Description and Geographic Distribution

Belonging to the Fabaceae family, P. corylifolia is native to tropical and subtropical regions, including China, South Africa, and extensively across the Indian subcontinent — namely Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, and the Deccan plateau. Psoralea corylifolia is a common herbaceous weed which grows throughout the whole length and breadth of the plains of India. It is a medicinally important plant indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Common Forms and Preparations

The parts of P. corylifolia used in Unani medicine include leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, and fruits. The seeds and dried ripe fruits are the most pharmacologically investigated parts. Babchi seeds are the ingredients of various Unani formulations such as Safoof Bars, Zamad e Bars, and Roghan Babchi. Several traditional and proprietary Unani formulations such as Roghan Babchi, Sufoof-e-Babchi, Zimad-e-Bars, Habb-e-Bars, and Habb-e-Hindi are commercially available for therapeutic use. In contemporary cosmetic and supplement markets, babchi is available as seed oil, standardised seed extracts (in capsule or tablet form), and as isolated bakuchiol used in topical skincare formulations. It is also officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Ayurveda (India)

Psoralea corylifolia L., commonly known as Babchi, has been utilized for centuries in traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and particularly the Unani system of medicine. In Ayurveda, the plant is designated by the Sanskrit name Bakuchi. In the Charaka Samhita, it is classified under Tikta Skandha — the group of herbs with a bitter taste. Sanskrit synonyms reflect its traditional indications: it was called Avalguja (imparts colour and lustre to a person suffering from switra/vitiligo), Kushtaghni (useful in skin diseases), and Switraghni (cures switra). Since ancient times, babchi seeds have been prescribed by Ayurvedic physicians (vaidyas) for the cure of leucoderma and leprosy. Classically prepared Ayurvedic formulations incorporating babchi include Avalgujadi Lepam (a paste applied externally in the treatment of leucoderma), Pancha Nimba Churna (used in non-healing wounds and psoriasis), Mahamanjistadi Kashayam (a decoction used in skin diseases and blood purification), Somaraji Oil (for external application in eczema and dermatitis), and Khadirarishta (an arishta formulation for blood purification and skin diseases).

Unani Medicine

Babchi seeds have been used by Unani physicians since antiquity for the treatment of various ailments such as Bars (leucoderma), Daussadaf (psoriasis), Juzam (leprosy), Bahaq (pityriasis), Tap-e-Balghamiya (phlegmatic fever), and Deedan-e-Am'aa (intestinal worms). Babchi is administered both orally and topically within the Unani tradition, with different plant parts serving distinct therapeutic roles. In the Unani system, different parts of the plant are used therapeutically: roots for dental caries; leaves for diarrhoea; fruits for conditions such as anaemia, asthma, bronchitis, dysuria, inflammation, and vomiting; and seeds for skin conditions like scabies, ulcers, vitiligo, leucoderma, eczema, leprosy, and psoriasis.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Well-known as traditional Chinese medicine "Buguzhi," the seeds are widely used for the treatment of various kinds of disorders such as asthma, cough, nephritis, vitiligo, and calvities. It is widely used to treat yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney in adult and pediatric patients in China, Korea, and Japan. The TCM framework attributes to it a tonifying action on kidney-yang, which relates to its use in bone and joint diseases. PCL has been widely used in the prescription of tonifying kidney and strengthening bone. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that psoralea has pharmacological activities in the prevention of osteoporosis, the promotion of fracture healing, and the regeneration of articular cartilage.

Ancient Egyptian and Cross-Cultural Use of Psoralen

Psoralen's clinical use dates back to 2000 BC in ancient Egypt and India, where it was utilized in the treatment of various skin conditions due to its photosensitive properties. In those early applications, preparations containing psoralen were either ingested or applied topically to the skin, after which individuals would expose themselves to sunlight to activate the therapeutic compounds.

3. Phytochemistry: Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Overview

P. corylifolia contains approximately 163 chemical components, including coumarins, flavonoids, monoterpene phenols, benzofurans, glycosides, lipids, fatty acids, and volatile oils. A more recent analysis identified an even larger chemical diversity: a total of 321 metabolites, including coumarins, flavonoids, meroterpenes, benzofurans, and dimers, have been identified in PCL. About a hundred bioactive compounds have been isolated from seeds and fruits, and the most important compounds identified belong to the coumarins, flavonoids, and meroterpenes groups.

Furanocoumarins (Psoralen and Isopsoralen)

Psoralen is a naturally occurring phytoalexin found in the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia plants and certain fruits, such as figs and citrus fruits, whose chemical structure resembles that of coumarin due to the addition of a fused furan ring. Psoralen and its isomer isopsoralen (also called angelicin) are among the most pharmacologically studied constituents. Psoralen is a natural furocoumarin found in the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia. It is actively taken up by epidermal cells and intercalates into DNA; upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, psoralen forms cross-links between DNA strands, causing cell injury and death. This DNA-intercalating mechanism underlies PUVA (psoralen + UVA) phototherapy.

Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is a meroterpene phenol abundant in seeds and leaves of the plant Psoralea corylifolia. It is a type of meroterpene derived from the leaves and seeds of Psoralea corylifolia plants. Among all identified constituents, bakuchiol (11.71 mg/g) is the most potent phytochemical component of P. corylifolia by measured content. Maximum extraction of bakuchiol (6.98%, w/w) was observed when an ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) technique was applied using petroleum ether as solvent.

Flavonoids and Chalcones

The constituents in P. corylifolia L. include coumarins and flavone components, such as psoralen, isopsoralen, psoralidin, neobavaisoflavone, bavachin, corylin, bavachalcone, and related compounds. These flavonoids and chalcones contribute substantially to the plant's antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic, and osteogenic activities. Among identified isolates, bavachin, bavachinin, erythrinin A, neobavaisoflavone, isoneobavaisoflavone, isobavachalcone, bavachalcone, and corylifols B exhibited remarkable anti-S. aureus and anti-S. epidermidis activities at MIC levels of 0.009–0.073 mM.

Other Notable Compounds

Total bioactive compounds from the genus Psoralea belong to different chemical classes, including flavonoids, coumarins, furanocoumarins, chalcones, quinones, and terpenoids, due to which these species exhibit significant antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, diuretic, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and antitumour activities.

4. Established Mechanisms of Action

PUVA Photosensitisation Mechanism

The combination of psoralens and ultraviolet light (UVA, 320–400 nm), also referred to as PUVA, is a potent modulator of epidermal cell growth and differentiation. Although it has been postulated that PUVA exerts its actions by binding to DNA, evidence also points to a specific, saturable, high-affinity receptor site independent of DNA mediating the biological actions of these drugs. Treatment leads to specific cell surface membrane alterations, in particular phosphorylation of the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF). The EGF receptor is a transmembrane glycoprotein possessing intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, and modification of the EGF receptor leads to a loss in its ability to bind EGF, as well as an inhibition of its tyrosine kinase activity. PUVA induces repigmentation by varying mechanisms such as stimulation of melanogenesis, immunomodulation, and activation of growth factors, though the exact mechanism is still speculative.

Retinol-Like Gene Expression (Bakuchiol)

Retinol-like functionality of bakuchiol was confirmed for the upregulation of types I and IV collagen in DNA microarray study; it also shows stimulation of type III collagen in the mature fibroblast model. Based on these data, bakuchiol can function as an anti-ageing compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression. This mechanism does not rely on the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) pathway; bakuchiol appears to modulate gene expression through an independent pathway while producing overlapping downstream effects on extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins.

Estrogenic Activity

The ethanolic fruit extract of P. corylifolia showed estrogenic activity, which was demonstrated by transcription of lacZ in recombinant yeast system. Bakuchiol showed a higher estrogenic activity and estrogen receptor (ER) binding affinity than genistein, both in vitro and in vivo. Among the seven bioactive components of P. corylifolia extract, isobavachalcone, bavachin, corylifol A, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol, and two coumarins psoralen and isopsoralen selectively activated ERα or both ERα and ERβ. Bakuchiol was shown to induce estrogenic activity in vivo and in vitro study models. It activates the ERβ receptor and suppresses the ERα receptor, which reduces CDC2 activity and promotes S phase arrest, reducing tumour cell proliferation.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms

Natural sources of bakuchiol have been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries due to its preventive benefits against tumours and inflammation. It plays a strong potential role as an antioxidant with impressive abilities to remove Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The expression mechanisms of pharmacological effects are closely related to the regulation of the immune system, the inhibition of oxidative stress, and the induction of apoptosis.

Osteogenic Mechanisms

Of the 23 components studied, bavachalcone, psoralen, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, methoxsalen, psoradin, bakuchiol, and angelicin may be the main active components of PCL that promote bone formation. PPARγ and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were verified as targets of PCL in MC3T3-E1 cells, and results showed that PCL reduced the expression of these targets. Research has shown that the coumarin in P. corylifolia L. could stimulate local new bone formation by enhancing the functions of osteoblasts.

Antidiabetic Mechanisms

By reducing oxidative stress in pancreatic islet cells and surrounding tissues, bakuchiol may improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. In diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin, oral administration of bakuchiol extract significantly improved hyperglycaemia. PCL extraction improved glucose tolerance, the serum insulin level, and the preventive effect of psoralen and isopsoralen on H₂O₂-induced β-cell death.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Vitiligo and Skin Pigmentation

Psoralen analogs such as 8-methoxypsoralen and 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen are used clinically in the treatment of a number of skin diseases including psoriasis and vitiligo. Following treatment with psoralens, patients are exposed to ultraviolet light in the range of 320–400 nm. Multiple treatments with this drug regimen, known as PUVA photochemotherapy, simultaneously leads to clearing of psoriatic plaques and skin pigmentation.

The clinical evidence base for PUVA in vitiligo includes retrospective and prospective studies, though outcomes are mixed. A 10-year retrospective analysis of PUVA treatment for vitiligo at St John's Institute of Dermatology, London, UK, included 97 patients. Of these, eight had complete or almost complete repigmentation, 59 had moderate to extensive repigmentation, and 30 showed little or no response. However, 24 of those who responded with extensive repigmentation did not consider their response satisfactory because of persistence of vitiligo at cosmetically sensitive sites and poorly matching, speckled repigmentation. Fifty-seven patients who initially improved with PUVA therapy subsequently relapsed, in most cases within a year of stopping treatment. A more recent assessment reported that PUVA therapy has been shown to produce repigmentation rates between 50–75% in responsive patients, particularly on the face and trunk. However, PUVA therapy needs close monitoring due to the risk of phototoxicity, gastrointestinal symptoms, and longer-term risks of skin ageing and carcinogenesis. PUVA is used in the treatment of widespread vitiligo with moderately good results, though it is being surpassed by ultraviolet B (UVB), which is equally or slightly more efficacious with fewer side effects.

Evidence strength: Moderate clinical evidence (retrospective studies, prospective cohorts) supports PUVA in vitiligo; however, incomplete and relapsing responses are common, and UVB phototherapy has emerged as a comparator with a better safety profile. No large randomised controlled trials specifically isolating crude babchi preparations have been conducted.

5.2 Psoriasis

In a study by Dwarampudi et al. (2012), the ethanolic seed extract of P. corylifolia showed an IC50 value of 255 μg/mL and a considerable anti-psoriatic activity (75.87%), using the mouse tail model. The seed extract converted parakeratosis stage to orthokeratosis (formation of anuclear keratin layer) stage of the cell, confirming its anti-psoriatic potential. In a study involving human subjects, a P. corylifolia hexane seed extract was prepared into a cream using stearic acid, followed by an open clinical trial on thirty patients suffering from eczema. The evidence for babchi-specific preparations in psoriasis is primarily preclinical (animal models and in vitro) or based on small open-label human studies; robust placebo-controlled RCT data using isolated babchi preparations are absent.

Evidence strength: Preliminary; preclinical animal and in vitro data are promising, but human clinical evidence is limited to small, open-label studies.

5.3 Skin Ageing and Photoageing (Bakuchiol)

Bakuchiol was formulated into a finished skin care product and tested in a clinical case study by twice-a-day facial application. The results showed that, after 12 weeks treatment, significant improvement in lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and overall reduction in photo-damage was observed, without the undesirable effects usually associated with retinol therapy.

The key randomised controlled trial comparing bakuchiol directly to retinol was a prospective, randomised, double-blind study. Early studies had suggested that bakuchiol is a functional analogue of topical retinoids, as both compounds had been shown to induce similar gene expression in the skin and lead to improvement of cutaneous photodamage, but no in vivo studies had previously compared the two compounds for efficacy and side-effects. The objective was to compare clinical efficacy and side-effect profiles. This was a 12-week study in which 44 patients were asked to apply either bakuchiol 0.5% cream twice daily or retinol 0.5% cream daily. Bakuchiol and retinol both significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation, with no statistical difference between the compounds. The retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging. The study demonstrates that bakuchiol is comparable with retinol in its ability to improve photoageing and is better tolerated than retinol.

Recent studies highlight bakuchiol's efficacy in reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, with better tolerability than retinol. It is also under investigation for better skin penetration and collagen production. Comparatively, bakuchiol and retinol show significant anti-aging effects, yet bakuchiol's additional antioxidative properties and the lack of side effects present it as a promising skincare ingredient.

Evidence strength: Moderate. One well-designed, though small (n=44), randomised double-blind trial supports bakuchiol's equivalence to retinol for photoageing. Further large-scale RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.

5.4 Bone Health and Osteoporosis

PCL is frequently utilised in TCM to treat osteoporosis, and its effectiveness is notable. Bakuchiol can prevent bone loss and delay osteoporosis in post-menopausal women by activating the estrogen receptors. This is of increased significance as hormone replacement therapies usually use estrogen, which is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. Several studies have shown that P. corylifolia extract showed notable inhibitory effects on osteoblastic proliferation in cultured cell lines and boosting bone formation, and specifically bavachin helps in inhibiting bone resorption and promoting the proliferation of osteoblasts. However, evidence from human clinical trials is lacking; current data derive from in vitro cell models and animal studies.

Evidence strength: Preclinical only. No controlled human trials are available. Animal and in vitro data support a bone-protective mechanism, but clinical translation has not been established.

5.5 Antimicrobial Activity

Bakuchincin, psoralidin, and the mixture (1:1) of angelicin and psoralen, isolated from the seeds of P. corylifolia, exhibited significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These findings are in vitro only, and no clinical trials in humans have assessed antibacterial outcomes for babchi preparations.

Evidence strength: Preclinical in vitro only. Clinical evidence is absent.

5.6 Anti-Obesity and Metabolic Effects

Maximum antilipase property was recorded in the dichloromethane extract of P. corylifolia at 100 μg/mL, with bakuchiol exhibiting a higher activity at 100 μg/mL. The extract was found to exhibit antiadipogenesis property, showing 75% lipid accumulation compared to control. Bakuchiol, isopsoralen, and psoralen inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The study highlights the antiobesity potential of P. corylifolia and its active constituents; however, further research on dose standardisation and clinical trials are required.

Evidence strength: Preclinical in vitro only. Human evidence is entirely lacking.

5.7 Anticancer Activity

In response to a variety of oncogenic processes, P. corylifolia, a medicinal plant with a rich history in TCM, demonstrates diverse therapeutic potential, particularly in oncology. This includes bioactive compounds such as psoralen, bakuchiol, psoralidin, and astragalin, which target critical cancer hallmarks, including sustaining proliferative signalling, resisting cell death, and activating invasion and metastasis. The cytotoxic, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties of P. corylifolia seeds have been reported; the active fraction from both roots and seeds exhibited cytotoxicity against cultured human cancer cell lines.

Evidence strength: Preclinical only (in vitro cell lines; some animal models). No clinical trials have evaluated anticancer effects in humans.

5.8 Neuroprotection

The neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of P. corylifolia and its standard components were investigated in hippocampal cell line HT22 and microglia cell line BV-2. Previous studies have shown that PCL and its major constituents may have effects on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. All neuroprotective findings to date are from cell-based studies.

Evidence strength: Very preliminary; in vitro cell line data only. No human clinical evidence exists.

5.9 Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that may lead to severe complications. The fruit of PCL is widely used in TCM as a herbal treatment for orthopaedic diseases; however, there is a lack of studies of its effects on rheumatoid arthritis. A collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) DBA/1J mouse model was used to investigate PCL. The mice were orally administered 200 mg/kg/day PCL on days 22–49. These findings are animal-model based and have not been validated in human clinical trials.

Evidence strength: Preclinical animal study. Human evidence absent.

6. Body Systems Associated with Babchi

• Integumentary system (skin): Skin pigmentation (vitiligo), psoriasis, eczema, leprosy, skin ageing/photoageing, alopecia, antimicrobial (topical).
• Musculoskeletal system: Osteoporosis, fracture healing, cartilage regeneration, arthritis.
• Endocrine system: Phytoestrogenic effects; potential relevance in post-menopausal conditions and diabetic glycaemic management.
• Immune system: Immunomodulatory properties; documented in collagen-induced arthritis models.
• Nervous system: Neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects (preclinical only).
• Hepatic system: Paradoxically, both a historical claim of hepatoprotection and well-documented hepatotoxic risk at higher doses.

7. Dosage Forms and Doses Reported in Scientific Studies

Dosage information from studies varies considerably by preparation and indication. The following are doses as stated in the cited scientific sources — not recommendations:

• In the randomised, double-blind, 12-week clinical trial comparing bakuchiol with retinol for facial photoageing, 44 patients applied either bakuchiol 0.5% cream twice daily or retinol 0.5% cream daily.
• In the collagen-induced arthritis mouse study, mice were orally administered 200 mg/kg/day PCL on days 22–49.
• In a mouse hepatotoxicity study, C57BL/6 mice were administered psoralen intragastrically at doses of 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg, and were sacrificed 24 h after treatment.
• In a zebrafish hepatotoxicity model, zebrafish were treated with different concentrations of an aqueous extract of FP (AEFP; 40, 50, or 60 μg/mL).
• In one human case report, a 44-year-old female ingested P. corylifolia seeds every 1 hour for 7 weeks for treating osteoporosis and developed acute cholestatic hepatitis.

No standardised, consensus clinical dose for oral babchi or isolated psoralen/isopsoralen supplementation has been established in controlled human trials. Topical bakuchiol at 0.5% is the best-supported concentration from published human studies.

8. Safety Considerations and Drug Interactions

Hepatotoxicity

Herb-induced liver injury (HILI) is gradually increasing, and Psoraleae Fructus has been reported to induce hepatotoxicity. This is the most well-documented safety concern. Analysis of 84 cases of adverse reactions due to the use of psoralens from 1978 to 2016 identified that a total of 48 patients had liver injury, which accounted for 57.14% of all cases.

In one case study, a 44-year-old female ingested P. corylifolia seeds every 1 hour for 7 weeks for treating osteoporosis and developed acute cholestatic hepatitis. In another case study, a 64-year-old female developed severe hepatotoxicity after 9 months of administration of three kinds of herbal tablets and a herbal tea for treating vitiligo; tablets made from P. corylifolia leaves were identified as the most probable cause.

The discovered toxicity of PCL mainly includes hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, phototoxicity, developmental toxicity, and reproductive toxicity, among which hepatotoxicity is most predominant; psoralen, isopsoralen, bavachinin A, and bakuchiol are the main toxic components.

Biochemical and histopathological results showed that medium and high doses of Psoraleae Fructus caused obvious liver and kidney injuries in rats. Regardless of its therapeutic effects, high doses of Psoraleae Fructus have been reported to cause liver damage in clinical settings.

Psoralen, isopsoralen, bavachinin A, and bakuchiol are not only toxic components of PCL, but also its active components. Only by keeping the content of these ingredients within the range of effective dose can the safety and effectiveness of PCL be ensured.

Phototoxicity

While usually an efficacious treatment, there are documented case reports of paradoxical skin depigmentation. Additionally, there are citations of patients undergoing higher-dose PUVA therapy developing severe sunburn-like reactions, as well as skin cancers, following exposure. These incidences pose the relationship that exists between unregulated, excessive use of psoralens and/or UVA exposure and exacerbated symptoms of photosensitivity. Topical application of babchi oil or psoralen-containing preparations followed by uncontrolled sun exposure carries a clinically meaningful risk of severe phototoxic reactions.

Processing and Dose-Dependent Toxicity

Some studies have shown that salt-roasted Psoraleae Fructus may still have hepatotoxic effects, impacting its safety for clinical use. Fu et al. discovered that salt-roasted PF was more likely to cause liver damage than raw PF. It was revealed that maximum toxicity decreased to almost 9-fold after processing a raw sample. Bavachinin A, bavachin, isobavachalcone, and neobavaisoflavone had a high correlation with PCL hepatotoxicity, while psoralen and isopsoralen had a low relationship.

CYP3A4 and Drug Enzyme Interactions

Psoralea corylifolia, psoralen, and isopsoralen are in vitro CYP3A4 inhibitors, and CYP3A4 inhibition could happen at concentrations relevant to in vivo exposures. In vitro CYP3A4 inhibition by P. corylifolia and its major components suggests potential drug–dietary supplement interactions that warrant further investigations in vivo. Inhibition of CYP3A4 is clinically significant because a large proportion of drugs are metabolised via this enzyme; co-administration could theoretically raise plasma concentrations of CYP3A4-substrate medications.

The inhibitory effect of psoralen on CYP1A2 production was reported to be reversible, while other studies found that psoralen exhibited mechanism-based inactivation (also called irreversible inactivation) of CYP2A6, and CYP2B1, in addition to CYP2B6 and CYP3A4.

UGT1A1 Inhibition

P. corylifolia and its natural compounds — bavachin, corylifol A, neobavaisoflavone, isobavachalcone, and bavachinin — were evaluated for their potential toxicity and the results showed a potent inhibitory effect against human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1), which is considered a stimulant for P. corylifolia-related toxicity, including hepatic injury and raised bilirubin levels.

Estrogenic Considerations

Bakuchiol promotes phytoestrogenic and anticancer activities, promoting safer hormone replacement therapeutics. Simultaneously, proliferation rates of MCF-7 cells increased significantly when treated with P. corylifolia extract — MCF-7 being an estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cell line — raising theoretical caution for use in conditions where estrogenic stimulation is contraindicated. This finding is currently from in vitro cell culture only.

Evidence Quality: Overall Assessment

More standard clinical trials are needed for the plant to be used as a therapeutic agent. The existing human clinical evidence is strongest for topical bakuchiol in photoageing and for psoralen-UVA (PUVA) in vitiligo and psoriasis. For all other applications — bone health, neurological conditions, metabolic effects, antimicrobial use, and cancer — the evidence base remains preclinical, consisting of in vitro cell studies and animal models. There is scope for standardisation of dosage of bioactive compounds reported in P. corylifolia.

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