What is "bakuchiol"

n. A meroterpene phenol, extracted from seeds of ''Psoralea corylifolia'', that shows antimicrobial activity

Bakuchiol (aka Drupanol) is a meroterpene (a chemical compound having a partial terpenoid structure) in the class terpenophenol. It is found in Psoralea corylifolia and in Otholobium pubescens.

It has been reported to have anticancer activity in pre-clinical models, possibly due to its structural similarity with resveratrol. One study in rats suggested that bakuchiol and ethanol extracts of the Chinese medicinal plant Psoralea corylifolia could protect against bone loss. Bakuchiol isolated from P. corylifolia has shown activity against numerous Gram-positive and Gram-negative oral pathogens. It was able to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans under a range of sucrose concentrations, pH values and in the presence of organic acids in a temperature-dependent manner and also inhibited the growth of cells adhered to a glass surface. Bakuchiol was also found to have retinol functionality.