[Effect of Tribulus terrestris extract on melanocyte-stimulating hormone expression in mouse hair follicles].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of Tribulus terrestris extract on melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) expression in C57BL/6J mouse hair follicles, and investigate the role of Tribulus terrestris extract in activation, proliferation, epidermal migration of dormant hair follicle melanocytes.


METHODS
The aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris was administered orally in specific pathogen-free C57BL/6J mouse at the daily dose equivalent to 1 g/1 kg in adult human, and the expression and distribution of MSH in the mouse hair follicles was observed with immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The positivity rate of MSH expression in the hair follicle melanocytes was 75% in mice treated with the extract, significantly higher than the rate of only 18.75% in the control group (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris can significantly increase MSH expression in the hair follicle melanocytes by activating tyrosinase activity and promoting melanocyte proliferation, melanine synthesis, and epidermal migration of dormant melanocytes.
Yang
Liu
L
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. yangliutcm@ 21cn.com
Lu
Jian-wei
JW
An
Jing
J
Jiang
Xuan
X
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D032444:Tribulus / Q000737:chemistry*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones