Synergistic effect of rice bran extract and extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on dermal papilla/melanocytes in melanogenesis: Increasing pigmentation with rice bran extract and electromagnetic field

Melanocytes in hair are located around dermal papilla cells at the tip of the hair follicle. In this study, we examined the melanogenesis of a three‐dimensional (3D) hair dermal papilla model treated with natural extracts and electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The 3D model involved dermal papilla‐like tissue (DPLT), an aggregation of a mixture of dermal papilla cells, and melanocytes in microwells. Rice bran extract (RBE), an EMF, and RBE/EMF were applied to different DPLT groups. The LDH assay indicated no cell stress in all experimental groups, and detection of tyrosinase activity demonstrated high activity in the RBE/EMF group. Western blot analysis of the RBE, EMF, and RBE/EMF groups revealed increased MITF, TRP‐1, and tyrosinase expression. In addition, the mRNA expression of ET‐1, laminin, bFGF, β‐catenin, MITF, and tyrosinase was increased in the RBE/EMF group, as demonstrated by RT‐qPCR analysis. HMB45 and Fontana–Masson immunostaining showed that the RBE/EMF group had the highest melanin content. Therefore, RBE and EMF may be used as a material and therapy, respectively, for the treatment of vitiligo and white hair, through activation of melanogenesis in melanocytes. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:595–603, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc..