Objective To study the effects of several Chinese traditional medicines (CTM) on cell proliferation, cell toxicity, gene expression of Tyr and c-kit in normal melanocytes cultured from Caucasians. Methods The TRP and KIT protein expression was detected by Western blotting. The total soluble protein of melanocytes was measured by spectrophotometer by its absorption at 595nm against the standard concertration curre. Results Angelica dahurica, Fructus psoraleae, Spica Prunellae, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, and Eclipta Prostrasta stimulated the expression of KIT and the synthesis of total protein. The stimulating effect of Angelica dahurica and and Fructus psoraleae on the KIT expression was 69.44% and 58.43% respectively. However, these medicines only had a limited effect on the expression of Tyr in melanocytes. Conclusions The therapeutic effect of CTM on vitiligo may be related with the SCF/KIT pathway. This study might provide an useful way to screen more Chinese medicine for the treatment of vitiligo.

0.05). However, this medicine significan tly enhanced c-kit expression in melanocytes in vitro with an increase of 79.41% . Conclusions The efficacy of supplemented four agents decoction formula in th e treatment of vitiligo may be related to the SCF (stem cell factor)/c-kit pathw ay. This Chinese traditional medicine may enhance c-kit expression, but may not be associated with cell proliferation and Tyr expression of melanocytes.