Objective To investigate the effects of
retinoic acid and hydroquinone on normal
human melanocytes in vitro.Methods Normal
human melanocytes were cultured from foreskins of healthy men.Retinoic acid and
hydroquinone were observed for their effects on tyrosinase activity,melanin content and cell proliferation.Results Retinoic acid exhibited an inhibition effect on tyrosinase activity and melanin production at high concentration (>500 μmol/L),which could promote cell proliferation.Retinoic acid and hydroquinone had a cooperative effect at high concentration (>500 μmol/L),which could enhance the down regulation of tyrosinase activity and melanin content.Retinoic acid could also mitigate the inhibition effect of hydroquinone on cell proliferation.Conclusion Retinoic acid exhibits an inhibition effect on tyrosinase activity and melanin production.Retinoic acid and hydroquinone have a cooperative effect.Retinoic acid can also mitigate the inhibition effect of hydroquinone on cell proliferation.