Movement of melanosomes along melanocyte dendrites is necessary for the transfer of melanin pigment from melanocytes to basal and suprabasal keratinocytes, an event critical to epidermal photoprotection and maintenance of normal skin color. Recent murine data suggest that in melanocyte dendrites the microtubule-associated melanosome movement is bidirectional and that actin-associated myosin V secures the peripheral melanosomes, preparing them to be transferred to surrounding keratinocytes. We now report that human melanocytes express high levels of kinesin, a molecule that participates in microtubule-associated transport of organelles in other cell types, and that ultrastructurally kinesin molecules are closely associated with melanosomes. To determine whether kinesin participates in melanosomal transport, cultured melanocytes were treated with sense or antisense oligonucleotides complementary to kinesin heavy chain sequences. Antisense oligonucleotides decreased kinesin protein levels and inhibited the bidirectional movement of the melanosomes, promoting their backward movement. Furthermore, guinea pigs were exposed to ultraviolet B irradiation, known to enhance transport of melanosomes from melanocytes to epidermal keratinocytes, and then were treated with kinesin sense or antisense oligonucleotides. The areas that were treated with kinesin antisense oligonucleotides showed significantly less pigmentation clinically and histologically than control (sense) oligonucleotide-treated areas. As observed ultrastructurally, in antisense-treated areas melanosomes remained in melanocyte dendrites but over several days were not transferred to the surrounding keratinocytes. Our study supports a major role for kinesin in microtubule-associated anterograde melanosomal transport in human melanocyte dendrites.

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Herbal medicine has been commonly used over the years for treatment and prevention of diseases and health promotion as well as for enhancement of the life span and quality of life. It is a well-known fact that Traditional Systems of medicine always played an important role in meeting the global health care needs. Herbal cosmetics use phytochemicals from variety of plants. The botanical ingredients present influence biological functions of skin and provides nutrients necessary for healthy skin. Skin care is major problem faced by many people due to increase in pollution and other factors. The aim of this study was to determine the Anthocyanin content, Antioxidant property, UV Absorbance & Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of few petals namely, Rose, Bougainvillea, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Marigold and Ixora. It was found that dry ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Dahlia, Chrysanthemum and Rose has high anthocyanin content and SPF value above 30 compared to other flower petals. Skin cream was prepared using aqueous extract of these three petals. Lavender oil was used for fragrance. Survey was conducted through questionnaire. Though many plants are known to cure various diseases, knowledge of traditional medicine used by communities in India has been lost due to lack of documentation. Hence efforts were made to visit villages in Karnataka & Mumbai to collect data of plants used for primary health care.