Bakuchiol-loaded amphiphilic polymeric nanoparticles: enhancing stability and multifunctionality through encapsulation

Bakuchiol (BK), a natural meroterpene isolated from Psoralea corylifolia, has gained significant attention as a functional cosmetic ingredient due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. However, its high hydrophobicity and chemical instability limit its practical application. In this study, we developed a robust and efficient delivery system for BK using polyglyceryl-10 laurate (PG10-L), an amphiphilic polymer, via a simple and scalable nanoprecipitation strategy. This approach helps address an important challenge in achieving stable long-term aqueous formulations of BK without relying on complex synthetic processes. The resulting BK-loaded nanoparticles (BK@NPs) exhibited a small particle size (< 200 nm), high encapsulation efficiency (≈ 99%), and remarkable colloidal stability for over 12 weeks. Notably, BK@NPs significantly enhanced biological efficacy compared to free BK, resulting in markedly improved antioxidant and antibacterial performance. Furthermore, the formulation demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility in NIH-3T3 murine fibroblasts along with effective suppression of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). These findings highlight that the PG10-L-based nanoprecipitation strategy provides a robust and green platform to enhance the multifunctional potential of bakuchiol for advanced dermo-cosmetic applications.