Psoralea corylifolia L. (Babchi): A Comprehensive Review of Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Ethnomedicinal Applications in the AYUSH (Unani) System of Medicine

Psoralea corylifolia L., commonly known as Babchi, is a well-known medicinal plant that has been utilized for centuries in traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and particularly the Unani system of medicine, where it is referred to as Babchi. 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. 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. Phytochemical investigations have revealed more than seventy bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, coumarins, Quinone’s, phenols, benzofurans, benzopyrans, sesquiterpenoids, triterpenes, and steroids. Various pharmacological activities have been reported, such as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, hemostatic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-obesity, antiviral, anti-mutagenic, anti-filarial, estrogenic, anticancer, anti-asthmatic, anti-diabetic, anti-aging, and immunomodulatory properties. Additionally, potential therapeutic effects have been observed in Alzheimer’s disease and alopecia areata. 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. This review aims to consolidate classical Ethnomedicinal knowledge and recent pharmacological research on P. corylifolia to facilitate its broader integration into evidence-based phytomedicine. Keywords. Psoralea corylifolia, Babchi, Dermatological disorders, Unani medicine.