Pharmacognostical evaluation of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. seed

Anti-Allergic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Bakuchiol on Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis in Mice

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent inflammatory disease primarily affecting the nasal mucosa and is caused by allergies. The common symptoms of AR include rhinorrhea, sneezing, itchy nose, congestion, teary eyes, and nasal rubbings. The present study assessed the beneficial properties of bakuchiol on OVA-induced AR in mice via the regulation of inflammatory responses. AR was induced by injecting (i.p.) OVA (50 µg) and aluminum hydroxide (1 mg) into mice at various time intervals. The bakuchiol treatment was done at dosages of 10 and 20 mg/kg with dexamethasone (2.5 mg/kg) as a positive control. The body weight and nasal symptoms were measured on the day of the last OVA challenge. For in vitro tests, mouse splenocytes were isolated, sensitized with 20 µL OVA, and then treated with 10 µM bakuchiol. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulins, histamine, leukotriene C4 (LTC-4), and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) were assayed using the corresponding assay kits. The assay kits were also used to analyze the status of oxidative stress markers. The Th1/Th2 cell proportion was assessed using flow cytometry. The bakuchiol (10 and 20 mg/kg) treatment reduced the nasal symptoms in AR mice. Bakuchiol decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, Igs (IgE and IgG1), histamine, IL-10, IL-33, and TNF-α in AR mice. Bakuchiol also reduced PGDA and LTC-4 levels in the NLF of AR mice. The ROS and MDA levels were decreased, whereas boosted SOD activity was observed in the bakuchiol-treated AR mice. The eosinophil count was decreased in the nasal tissues of bakuchiol-treated AR mice. Bakuchiol also influenced the Th1 and Th2 cell proportions in AR mice. The present findings suggest that bakuchiol is effective against OVA-mediated allergic and inflammatory responses in AR mice through its strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Multidirectional activity of bakuchiol against cellular mechanisms of facial aging - Experimental evidence for a holistic treatment approach

Objective

Skin ageing is a multifactorial process involving formation of reactive oxygen species, consecutive inflammation with reduced epidermal and dermal cell viability and resulting damage to the extracellular matrix. Effective dermocosmetic treatment modalities should ideally address these hallmarks in a holistic approach. Here, we determined the corresponding activity profile of bakuchiol, a plant‐derived meroterpene, in an array of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies and compared it to retinol, currently considered as gold standard in topical antiageing cosmetics.

Methods

The antioxidative capacity and power of bakuchiol and retinol were analysed by measuring 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reduction via its absorption decay and electron spin resonance spectroscopy, respectively. Effects on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), collagen type I and VII (COL1A1, COL7A1), fibronectin (FN) levels as well as the metabolization of water‐soluble tetrazolium 1 (WST‐1) were determined in human dermal fibroblasts. Epidermal regeneration was assessed utilizing an in vitro wound healing model. FN protein levels were analysed ex vivo after treatment with a formulation containing bakuchiol, retinol or vehicle using suction blister fluid. Skin condition improvement was determined in vivo in a split‐face comparison study after application of bakuchiol or vehicle.

Results

In contrast to retinol, bakuchiol demonstrated high antioxidative efficacy. Levels of PGE2 and MIF were significantly decreased by both bakuchiol and retinol. Bakuchiol but not retinol significantly increased FGF7 protein levels. WST‐1 metabolization levels were significantly augmented by bakuchiol and retinol. Bakuchiol and retinol application led to a significant augmentation of COL1A1, COL7A1 and FN protein levels. Wounds supplemented with bakuchiol but not retinol displayed a significant increase in epidermis regeneration. Clinically, areas treated with a bakuchiol‐containing formulation showed a statistically significant increase in FN protein values after a 4‐week application compared to untreated areas and areas treated with vehicle.

Conclusion

These data provide evidence for the multidirectional efficacy of bakuchiol against cellular hallmarks of skin ageing. Its activity profile shares some common features with retinol but demonstrates several hitherto unknown biopositive effects in our studies, namely stimulation of the critical extracellular matrix component FN, and accelerated epidermal regeneration and wound healing.

Five Constituents Contributed to the Psoraleae Fructus-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis

Backgrounds: Psoraleae Fructus (PF)-induced hepatotoxicity has been reported in clinical and animal experiments. However, the hepatotoxic constituents and mechanisms underlying PF-induced toxicity have remained unclear. Therefore, this study explored the potentially toxic PF components and revealed their relative mechanisms.

Methods: The hepatotoxicity of PF water (PFW) and ethanol (PFE) extracts was compared using Kunming mice. The different compositions between PFW and PFE, which were considered toxic compositions, were identified using the UHPLC-Q-Exactive MS method. Then, L02 and HepG2 cell lines were used to evaluate the toxicity of these compositions. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined through the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. An automatic biochemical analyzer detected the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Lastly, we used high-content screening (HCS) to determine the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

Results: The ethanol extraction process aggravated the hepatotoxicity of PF, causing more severe injuries. The content of psoralen, isopsoralen, bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol was higher in the PFE than PFW. Bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol induced cell apoptosis and the AST, ALT, and ALP leakages. Furthermore, these five constituents increased intracellular lipid accumulation and ROS levels but decreased the MMP level.

Conclusion: The ethanol extraction process could induce severe PF hepatotoxicity. Bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol are the main hepatotoxic ingredients. This mechanism could be associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, this study provides a basis for the clinical application of PF that formulates and improves its herbal standards.

Babchi oil-induced phytophotodermatitis mimicking burn injury

Babchi (Psorylea corylifolia) is occasionally used by patients as a herbal treatment in conditions such as psoriasis and vitiligo, due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and immune-modulatory properties (Shrestha et al., 2018; Chopra et al., 2013). Due to its psoralen containing furocoumarins, it has the potential to induce photosensitive reactions. We present the first reported case of Babchi-induced phytophotodermatitis in the UK, presenting as sunburn.