Protective and Therapeutic Effects of Houttuynia cordata for Vitiligo Induced by Oxidative Stress and Hydroquinone

Vitiligo is a type of chronic autoimmune skin disorder that is highly unpredictable. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HC) is a natural compound with several pharmacological properties; however, the fundamental mechanisms of HC effects on Vitiligo have yet to be fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HC on the oxidative injury of melanocytes in vivo and in vitro. This study demonstrated that compounds significantly prevented the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced B16F10 cell loss of viability and melanin synthesis; in addition, cell apoptosis-regulating of melanocytes significantly decreased, and the expression level of TRP-1 and MITF increased dose-dependently. In animal experiments, C57BL/6 mice received 5% hydroquinone (HQ) for 5 weeks and were treated with HC for 2 weeks. HQ-stimulated vitiligo in mice also produced melanocyte and melanosome degradation. The melanin content and tyrosinase activity of the mice (skin) that received the HC group significantly increased compared to the untreated and 8-methoxyprosalen (8-MOP) groups. These experiments suggest that the HC has potential protectivea nd therapeutic effects for vitiligo.