title: Effect of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) on melanocytic proliferation, melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) on melanocytes and tyrosinase activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  MTT method and cleavage by NaOH were employed to measure the proliferation and melanin synthesis of melanocytes, respectively. Tyrasinase activity assessment was performed by measuring the rate of oxidation of DL-dopa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) was found to promote melanocytic proliferation (P < 0.05), resulting in a statistically significant increase in the cell counts (P < 0.05). It also enhanced melanin synthesis (P < 0.05) and tryosinase activity (P < 0.05) of the melanocytes, and the most potent effects were achieved at the concentration of 1 g/L (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) promotes melanocytic proliferation, melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, which may be the mechanism for validating its clinical use in the treatment of skin pigmentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D029971:Angelica sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008543:Melanins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase