Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of ingredients-added Taohongsiwutang(a decoction of medicinal herbs, the decoction) on the secretion of endothelin-1 and basic fibroblast growth factor of kera-tinocytes. Methods Human keratinocytes were cultured in vitro. The viability and proliferation of kera-tinocytes treated with different concentrations of the decoction were assessed by MTT method. The concentrations of endothelin-1 and basic fibroblast growth factor in the supernatant were determined by ELISA. Results The proliferation of keratinocytes was promoted by 4.27, 5.49 and 6.1 mg/mL of the decoction, endothelin-1 secretion was stimulated by 1.83 and 5.49 mg/ml of the decoction in keratinocyte culture, but no effect on the secretion of basic fibroblast growth factor. Conclusions High concentrations of the decoction can promote the proliferation of keratinocytes. Different concentrations of the decoction can stimulate keratinocytes to secrete endothelin-1, which suggests that the decoction can stimulate keratinocytes to secrete endothelin-1 in vitro.

Key words: Taohongsiwutang, Keratinocytes, Endothelin-1, Fibroblast growth factor 2