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Buckthorn Bark Extract: From "Laxative Raw Material" to a Versatile "All-Rounder"​

2026-03-03 11:13:18

I. Scientific Breakthrough: Beyond "Laxative," Unlocking New Mechanisms in Skin Repair and Anti-Inflammation​

Traditionally, buckthorn bark has been widely known as a plant-based laxative due to its rich content of anthraquinone derivatives​ (such as emodin and chrysophanol), which stimulate the colonic mucosa to promote intestinal motility. However, cutting-edge research in 2025 is fundamentally redefining its role.

Core Discoveries:

  • Skin Wound Healing Engine: Research conducted by Shihezi University in 2023 found that extracts from Rhamnusmedicinal plants significantly promoted wound healing in full-thickness skin defect models in rats. In the experiments, wounds treated with the medicinal gel showed markedly improved healing rates at specific time points, along with increased total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in skin tissues, accelerating tissue repair.

  • Potent Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergic Effects: Studies confirmed that Rhamnusleaf extract reversibly inhibits mast cell degranulation and exerts anti-allergic effects by suppressing the Fyn/Syk pathway. Its flavonoid-rich components also significantly inhibit the production of inflammatory factors like NO in macrophages and the activity of COX-2 enzymes.

  • Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity: Methanol extracts of Rhamnusand Rhamnus globosademonstrated antibacterial activity against various tested microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values all ≤ 2.50 mg/mL.

II. Technological Revolution: Green Extraction Processes Enable "Precision Capture" of Active Compounds​

While traditional water extraction is simple, it often yields products with many impurities and low target compound content. In 2025, a breakthrough was achieved with ultrasonic reflux extraction combined with specific solvent systems.

Process Highlights:

  1. Significant Purity Improvement: For buckthorn bark, a new "ethanol pre-extraction followed by alcohol adjustment" process increased the content of the core active compound glucofrangulin A​ to over 30%, while significantly reducing impurities like emodin.

  2. Balanced Efficiency and Environmental Friendliness: The use of deep eutectic solvents (e.g., choline chloride/lactic acid system) combined with microwave-assisted extraction significantly improved the extraction rate of flavonoids like quercetin, while reducing organic solvent usage and environmental pollution.

  3. Industrial Chain Upgrade: The application of technologies like supercritical CO₂ extraction and membrane separation increased the utilization rate of raw buckthorn bark to 80%, yielding higher-purity products and laying the foundation for advanced applications.

III. Multidimensional Applications: A "Cross-Industry Star" in Medicine, Cosmetics, and Functional Foods​

1. Pharmaceutical Field: From Gut to Whole Body​

  • Digestive Health: Its classic application as a natural laxative for short-term relief of functional constipation.

  • Topical Skin Use: Leveraging its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, it is being developed for treating skin conditions like eczema, scabies, and acne. Related gels and ointments are already in clinical application research.

  • Potential Anticancer Properties: Flavonoids from Rhamnusshowed anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines such as HT-29 and SGC-7901, with IC50 values of 24.96 ± 0.74 and 89.53 ± 4.11 μg/mL, respectively, offering new avenues for anticancer drug development.

2. Cosmetics and Personal Care​

  • Antioxidant and Anti-Aging: Flavonoids like rhamnetin possess potent free radical scavenging abilities and are widely incorporated into anti-aging, moisturizing, and reparative skincare products.

  • Market Drivers: In 2023, the market size of rhamnetin in the cosmetics sector reached ¥900 million, projected to grow to ¥1.2 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 15%.

3. Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals​

  • Natural Antioxidant: Used as a functional additive to enhance the nutritional value and shelf life of foods.

  • Industry Size: In 2023, the overall market size of rhamnetin in China was about ¥4.5 billion, with the food additive sector accounting for the largest share at 40% (approximately ¥1.8 billion).

IV. Market and Future: A Golden Pathway Under Policy Tailwinds​

1. Rapid Industry Growth​

China's buckthorn bark extract industry is in a phase of rapid development. Driven by growing consumer demand for natural health ingredients and policy support for traditional Chinese medicine, the market size continues to expand. Enterprises are mainly concentrated in East and South China, with high industry concentration and significant competitive advantages for leading companies.

2. Future Trends and Challenges​

  • Technology Trends: Extraction processes are moving toward high efficiency, environmental sustainability, and intelligence, such as micro-extraction, bio-enzymatic hydrolysis, and nanotechnology, aiming to further improve product purity and bioavailability.

  • Key Challenges: Stability in raw material (buckthorn bark) supply, regulatory barriers in international markets, and intellectual property protection are major industry concerns.

  • Sustainable Development: The protection and sustainable harvesting of wild Rhamnusresources, along with the promotion of green production processes, have become industry consensus.

Conclusion​

From an ancient laxative raw material to a natural active compound now making strides in fields like skin repair, anti-inflammatory skincare, and functional foods, the "identity" of buckthorn bark extract is undergoing a profound transformation. Driven by breakthroughs in green extraction technology and market demand, this ancient plant is revitalized and poised to secure a significant place in the multi-billion-dollar natural products market.

Industry Update​

A pharmaceutical company in Shandong has developed a new extraction process that stabilizes rhamnetin purity above 99.5%, significantly enhancing product competitiveness.

By 2025, the market size of rhamnetin in China is expected to exceed ¥6 billion, with functional foods and cosmetics remaining the primary growth engines.

References​

: Study on the Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Buckthorn Bark (2022)

: Research Progress on Chemical Components and Pharmacological Activity of RhamnusPlants (2022)

: Study on the Effect of Buckthorn Bark Extract on Skin Wound Healing (Shihezi University, 2023)

: China Rhamnetin Industry Market Forecast Analysis Report (2025)

: Patent for Preparation Process of Buckthorn Bark Extract Powder (2022)

 

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