Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor （rhHGF） on biologic activity of human melanocytes in vitro. Methods Human melanocytes were primarily cultured. After certain passages, the cells were treated with various concentrations （0.1, 1, 10, 20, 60, 80, 100 μg/L） of rhHGF. Then, MTT method was used to detect the proliferation of treated melanocytes; also, tyrosinase activity was measured. Morphological changes of melanocytes treated with rhHGF at the concentration of 60 μg/L were observed by an inverted microscope, cell apoptosis and cycle by flow cytometry. Results The proliferation of melanocytes was significantly enhanced by the treatment with rhHGF at the concentrations of 20, 60 and 80 μg/L （P < 0.01）, and the activity of tyrosinase by the treatment with rhHGF at the concentrations from 0.1 to 100 μg/L （P < 0.01 or 0.05）. The treatment with rhHGF at the concentration of 60 μg/L for 48 hours resulted in the increase of the cell number, size and dendrite amount of melanocytes, acceleration of the transformation of these cells from G0/G1 phase to S phase, and inhibition of apoptosis of the cells. Conclusion rhHGF can enhance the biologic activity of cultured human melanocytes in vitro.