Effect of serum from healthy individuals on the growth of melanocytes in vitro following moxibustion at the “Jiudianfeng” point

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of serum from healthy individuals obtained following moxibustion at the “Jiudianfeng” point on melanocytes in vitro. METHODS: Ten healthy adults (five male and five female) were treated by moxibustion at the “Jiudianfeng” point for 30 minutes once daily for 3 months. The effects of treatment with serum obtained following moxibustion on melanocyte proliferation, melanin content, tyrosinase activity, cell cycle progression, and c-kit mRNA and protein expression were assessed in vitro before and after moxibustion for 1, 2, and 3 months. RESULTS: Exposure to sera from healthy adults following moxibustion therapy promoted melanocyte proliferation, melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, and c-kit mRNA and protein expression in vitro. Melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity increased in the first 2 months following moxibustion and a synchronous decline was observed during the third month. Serum also promoted melanocyte entry into the G1 phase of the cell cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Serum treatment following moxibustion at the “Jiudianfeng” point promoted melanocyte proliferation and melanin synthesis. Further exploration of this intriguing phenomenon is essential.