Abstract | BACKGROUND: The authenticity of various prototype human placental extracts with biological activity, such as that inducing vitiligo repigmentation, is under serious criticism, mainly due to a lack of demonstration at the cellular level. Considering the present worldwide scenario with regard to the occurrence and treatment of vitiligo, a thorough scientific exploration of such extracts should be undertaken. METHOD: One such prototype placental preparation was prepared, and was evaluated with regard to its melanogenic action in C57BL/6J mice in vivo and its mitogenic and melanogenic activity on B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and normal human melanocytes in vitro. The extract was applied topically to mice with age-induced prolonged telogenic phase of hair growth (grey body coat hair). Standard 3H-thymidine incorporation and spectrophotometric methods were followed to illustrate mitogenic and melanogenic effects at the cellular level. RESULTS: The resurgence of blue skin, followed by shiny black hair, at the regions of application of the extract demonstrated the reversal of the age-induced prolonged telogenic phase of hair growth to the anagenic phase after topical application of the extract on C57BL/6J mice. Further support was obtained from histology where, at the extract-treated sites, the development of new melanogenic centers and hair follicles was observed. During in vitro studies, the vehicle-free extract constituents stimulated both mitogenesis and melanogenesis of B16F10 mouse melanoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The cell morphology and extent of melanogenesis also showed significant changes. In addition, two known melanocyte activity-modulating peptides, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and adrenocorticotropic hormone ( ACTH), were determined in the extract, chiefly in the total lipid fraction, indicating their effective cutaneous permeation. CONCLUSIONS: The extract was found to be a potent mitogen in the in vitro condition and a potent melanogen in both the in vitro and in vivo situations. This strongly suggests its therapeutic potential for the repigmentation of vitiligo patches.
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Authors | Prajnamoy Pal, Shampa Mallick, Samir Kr Mandal, Madhusudan Das, Ajit Kr Dutta, Pijush K Datta, Rabindranath Bera, Ranjan Bhadra |
Journal | International journal of dermatology
(Int J Dermatol)
Vol. 41
Issue 11
Pg. 760-7
(Nov 2002)
ISSN: 0011-9059 [Print] England |
PMID | 12452998
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
- Melanins
- Placental Extracts
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Topics |
- Animals
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- HIV-1
(isolation & purification)
- Hair
(drug effects)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
(blood)
- Hepatitis B virus
(isolation & purification)
- Melanins
(biosynthesis)
- Melanocytes
(drug effects)
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Placenta
(virology)
- Placental Extracts
(pharmacology)
- Skin Pigmentation
(drug effects)
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