A stimulatory effect of Cassia occidentalis on melanoblast differentiation and migration.

Abstract

In vitiligo, the active melanocytes in the epidermis are totally missing, whereas melanoblast cells in the outer root sheath of hair follicles are not affected. In an attempt to find potent repigmenting agents for vitiligo therapy, pod extracts of Cassia occidentalis was found to be effective in inducing differentiation and migration of mouse melanoblast cell line. Methanolic extract redissolved in DMSO at 12.5 μg/ml was found to cause 3.5- to 3.8-fold melanin induction in melb-a melanoblast cells after 4 days in treatment medium. In addition it induced the tyrosinase activity and altered melb-a cell morphology. Transwell migration assay showed the potential of this herbal candidate to induce direct migration of treated cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report investigating the effect of Cassia occidentalis on the differentiation and migration of melanoblast cells. The findings of present study are significant in designing preclinical and clinical studies on the efficacy of C. occidentalis as a stimulant for skin repigmentation in vitiligo.

• Authors: Sumathy Babitha, Jeong-Hyun Shin, Dung H Nguyen, Sang-Joo Park, Gaudelia A Reyes, Adeltrudes Caburian, Eun Ki Kim
• Journal: Archives of dermatological research (Arch Dermatol Res) Vol. 303 Issue 3 Pg. 211-6 (Apr 2011) ISSN: 1432-069X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 21328088 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Melanins
• Senna Extract
• Monophenol Monooxygenase

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects)
• Cell Line
• Cell Movement (drug effects)
• Enzyme Activation (drug effects)
• Fruit
• Humans
• Melanins (metabolism)
• Melanocytes (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Mice
• Monophenol Monooxygenase (genetics, metabolism)
• Phytotherapy
• Senna Extract (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Senna Plant
• Vitiligo (drug therapy)