bakuchiol and Psoriasis

The plant Psoralea corylfolia contains compounds such as psoralens that are useful for the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo, and the plant is used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine for diseases such as psoriasis and leprosy. Bakuchiol, a meroterpene phenol in Psoralea corylfolia, has similar functional properties to topical retinoids, which are commonly used to treat acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. Bakuchiol’s anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties also may lead to improvement in psoriasis and skin cancers, yet more clinical evidence is needed to elucidate these effects. Notably, bakuchiol does not cause common adverse effects seen with topical retinoids such as burning and scaling, permitting wider use in patients with sensitive skin. This review will detail the current evidence for bakuchiol as an alternative treatment in dermatologic conditions. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(6):624-629. doi:10.36849/JDD.6740.

Topics: Dermatology; Humans; Phenols; Psoralea; Psoriasis; Retinoids

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the anti-psoriatic potential of bakuchiol (Bak) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) via modulating inflammatory and oxidative pathways. Bak-loaded SLNs were prepared using hot homogenization method and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Bak-SLNs suspension was formulated into gel using Carbopol. Different in vivo assays were executed to explore the role of inflammatory markers and oxidative enzymes in psoriasis. DLS (dynamic light scattering) analysis showed suitable particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index (PDI) of developed formulation. TEM (transmission electron microscopy) reveal the spherical shape of Bak-SLNs particles. The release studies confirmed the sustained release of Bak-SLNs-based gel. UV-B-induced psoriatic Wistar rat model showed significant anti-psoriatic effect of Bak via regulating inflammatory markers (NF-kB, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10) and levels of anti-oxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis confirms that Bak downregulates the expression of inflammatory markers, while histology and immunohistology results also confirm the anti-psoriatic effect of Bak. The study indicates that Bak-loaded SLNs-based gel significantly downregulates the level of cytokines and interleukins involve in NF-kB signaling cascade; hence, it can prove to be a novel therapeutic approach to cure psoriasis.

Topics: Animals; Drug Carriers; Glutathione; Nanoparticles; NF-kappa B; Psoriasis; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Signal Transduction

Topics: Animals; Benzofurans; Coumarins; Female; Furocoumarins; Imiquimod; Keratinocytes; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Phenols; Photochemotherapy; Psoralea; Psoriasis; PUVA Therapy; Skin; Skin Absorption; Swine; Ultraviolet Rays

Topical retinoids are effective in retarding skin ageing and restoring homeostasis in skin conditions such as psoriasis. However their adverse effects (AEs), which include irritation (retinoid dermatitis), photosensitivity and teratogenicity, limit their use and patient compliance. Development of retinoid analogues with minimal AEs would allow a broader and more compliant use.. To synthesise a novel molecule, bakuchiol salicylate (bakusylan), with a modulatory gene expression profile similar to retinoids, using as reference three prescription retinoids: tretinoin, tazarotene and adapalene.. We hypothesized that because bakuchiol salicylate has a structure entirely different from existing retinoids, there would be at least a partial uncoupling of AEs from the skin-normalizing activity of this retinoid. This hypothesis was tested at the transcriptional level in psoriatic cytokine-treated cultures of keratinocytes and organotypic skin substitutes, using DNA microarrays and custom PCR arrays.. Evaluation of the gene expression profile of bakuchiol salicylate revealed elimination of several components of the retinoid-like proinflammatory response and teratogenic signature, without a substantial loss of normalizing potential. A possible mechanism of action, consisting of keratinocyte desensitization to psoriatic cytokine signalling through inhibition of the signal transducer and regulator of transcription (STAT)1/3/interferon inflammatory signal transduction axis was also identified.. Bipartite materials obtained by merging two skin-active entities with specific, complementary bioactivities, such as bakuchiol and salicylic acid, may yield a new class of functional retinoids.

Topics: Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Keratinocytes; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Phenols; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Psoriasis; Retinoids; Salicylates; Skin, Artificial