Combination of 308‐nm excimer laser and piperine promotes melanocyte proliferation, migration, and melanin content production via the miR‐328/SFRP1 axis

AbstractObjectiveBoth piperine and a 308‐nm excimer laser have significant curative effects on vitiligo. This study mainly explored the molecular mechanism of a 308‐nm excimer combined with piperine in regulating melanocyte proliferation.MethodsEpidermal melanocytes were cultured in piperine solution, and the cells were irradiated by an XTRAC excimer laser treatment system at 308‐nm output monochromatic light. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) and Western blot were for detecting the expression levels of genes or proteins. The 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Transwell method was for assessing cell viability and migration capacity. The content of melanin was also detected.ResultsThe combination of the 308‐nm excimer laser and piperine enhanced the cell proliferation, migration, and melanin production of melanocytes and upregulated the level of miR‐328, and restraint of miR‐328 reversed the influence of the 308‐nm excimer laser and piperine. Secreted frizzled‐related protein 1 (SFRP1) is a direct target gene of miR‐328, and miR‐328 can inhibit the expression of SFRP1 and elevate the protein level of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.ConclusionThe 308‐nm excimer laser combined with piperine may be more efficient than piperine alone in the remedy of vitiligo, and the miR‐328/SFRP1 and Wnt/β‐catenin pathways are participated in the proliferation, migration, and melanin synthesis of melanocytes.