Objective To find direct effect of Chinese herbs Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea corylifolia L) and Bai Zhi (Dahurian angelica root) Extracts on melanocyte adhesion and migration in vitro. Methods Ethanol extracts obtained from two kind of Chinese medicinable herbs were tested. Human melanocytes were obtained from neonatal foreskins and 48-well culture dish covered with fibronectin were used to perform melanocyte adhesion assay; Motility was assessed using the micropore filter method. Results: The extracts of Bu Gu Zhi(Psoralea corylifolia L), Bai Zhi(Dahurian angelica root) obviously showed an effect in increasing of human melanocyte adhesion and migration on fibronectin. Conclusion It is suggested that Buguzhi(Fructus Psoraleae) and Baizhi(Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) might induce melanocyte adhesion and/or migration in the treatment of vitiligo.

Objective To study the effects of endothelin-1 ( ET-1) and stem cell factor (SCF) on melanocyte adhesion and migration in vitr o. Methods Human epidermal melanocytes that had been cultured and purified were treated with ET-1 and observed for adhesion to bovine serum f ibronectin-coated culture dishes. SCF and ET-1 treated cells were also examine d for migration into micropore filters coated with the same protein. Results Compared with SCF group, ET-1 treated melanocytes adhered to the dishes and moved into the filters more easily, especially when th e concentration was at 32 nmol?L -1. When the concentration of ET-1 was 128 mol?L -1 or more, melanocyte adhesion and migration were inhibited ( P

Objective To elucidate the effect of Ge-132 on the growth of melanocytes. Mothods Melanocyes from epidermis were cultured and purified ;the second generation of the cell was used for study ;the cells were divided into two groups randomly,to group A, Ge-132 was added to the media at 0.04mg/L ;to group B ,common culturing method was used without Ge-132. After 5d, the cells were seperated by digestion for study by transmission electronic micro- scope. ResultsCompared to group B, the vacuioes of the cells were increased,mitochondria distended, endoplasmic reticulum dilated and the number of melanosome declined in the group A. Conclusion Ge-132 can inhibit the melanocyte＇s growth at a certain concentration and might be used for treating pigmented diseases.

Objective To study of the effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM): Herba radix polygoni multiflori preparata (RPMP) on the cultured melanocytes(MC). Methods Extracts of TMC RPMP treated the cultured melanocytes, and tyrosinase activity, melanin level and proliferation of the cells were determined. Meanwhile, method of micropore filter was used to measure the ability of cell migration. Results TCM RPMP markedly promoted the proliferation and migration of MC in a dose-dependent manner at a range of 0～150?g/ml. Conclusions TCM RPMP can promote the proliferation and migration of MC in vitro. And it suggests that this drug could be used to treat vitiligo.