Objective:To investigate the effects of emodin on proliferation, adhesion, migration, c-kit mRNA and protein expression of human epidermal melanocytes.Methods:Human epidermal melanocytes cultured in vitro were treated with different concentrations of emodin, a blank control group (containing medium + human epidermal melanocytes) and an experimental group (containing medium + human epidermal melanocytes + different concentrations of emodin) were set up. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 method, cell adhesion was measured by microplate assay, cell migration was measured by Transwell membrane assay, and c-kit mRNA expression was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase polymerase chain reaction; Western blot was used to detect the expression of c-kit protein.Results:Compared with the blank control group, emodin decreased the proliferation, adhesion and migration of human epidermal melanocytes, the difference was statistically significant ( F=391.48, P<0.0001; F=10.93, P=0.003; F=7.75, P=0.009). Compared with the blank control group, emodin in the experimental group had a bidirectional effect on the expression of c-kit mRNA and protein. High concentration of emodin inhibited the expression of c-kit mRNA and protein, and the expression of c-kit mRNA and protein was significantly increased by Emodin ( F=11.491, P=0.003; F=2155.11, P<0.001). Conclusions:Emodin inhibits the proliferation, adhesion and migration of human epidermal melanocytes, high concentration of emodin inhibits the expression of c-kit mRNA and protein, and low concentration of emodin promotes the expression of c-kit mRNA and protein, and the results provide a basis for the clinical application of emodin in pigmented dermatosis.