Abstract: Objective: To determine the influence of oxymatrine (OMT) on the melanocyte proliferation and inflammation factor autocrine. Methods: The cultured melanocytes were divided into blank group and oxymatrine groups with different concentrations (5 mg/mL, 10mg/mL and 15mg/mL). The proliferation of melanocyte, mRNA of TLR3 and NF-κB and the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17 were detected by MTT method, RT-qPCR and ELISA respectively. Result: Absorbance values of the melanocytes in oxymatrine groups were higher than that in control group, in a concentration-dependent manner. The proliferation rate reached a plateau when OMT concentration reached up to 50μmol/L. The expression of TLR3 and NF-κB mRNA and the proteins of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17 in OMT groups were significantly lower than those in control group（P<0.05). Conclusion: OMT can increase the proliferation of melanocyte, down-regulate the expression of TLR3 and NF-κB mRNA and the protein of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17.

Key words: oxymatrine, melanocyte, TLR3, NF-κB, cytokines