Fig. 5. Effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on melan-A melanocyte proliferation induced by conditioned media from UV-irradiated SP-1 keratinocytes. Before UV irradiation, SP-1 keratinocyte cells were treated with serum free Eagle’s Minimum Essential Medium (EMEM) containing total extract or saponin of KRG (SKRG) (10, 20, and 50 ppm). After 24 h, SP-1 keratinocytes were irradiated with UVB at a dose of 30 mJ/cm2. Immediately, the cells were treated with 2% newborn calf serum EMEM containing total extract or SKRG (10, 20, and 50 ppm). (A) Control, (B) UVB (30 mJ/cm2), (C) SKRG (20 ppm), (D) total extract (50 ppm), and (E) cell proliferation assay. Cells were observed under a phase-contrast microscope (Olympus CKX41; Olympus Optical, Tokyo, Japan) and images were photographed using a DMCe camera (INS Industry, Seoul, Korea) and the included DMC advanced software (×100). Data are shown as average±SEM. DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, compared with the control.
