Effect of Petai Skin Extract Gel Administration on MITF Gene Expression and Melanin Count (in Vivo Experimental Study on Hyperpigmented Wistar Mice Exposed to UVB Exposed Hyperpigmentation)

Abstract

Prolonged exposure to high intensity UVB rays can induce the formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which causes MITF activation thereby inducing melanin synthesis. Compounds contained in petai peel extract are known to play a role in inhibiting ROS production due to exposure to UVB rays. This study aims to determine the effect of administering petai peel extract gel on MITF gene expression and the amount of melanin in the skin tissue of mice exposed to high-intensity UVB. The research design was posttest only control group with a completely randomized design method. The samples studied were 24 mice exposed to UVB light with a wavelength of 302 nm and an energy of 390 mJ/cm2/day 3 times a week for 2 weeks. This research was carried out in four groups, namely the healthy group (K1), the negative control group (K2), treatment 1 (K3) with 10% petai peel extract gel and treatment 2 (K4) with 20% petai peel extract gel. MITF gene expression was analyzed using qRT-PCR and melanin was observed by specific staining with fontana-masson. qRT-PCR analysis showed that there was a significant decrease in MITF gene expression between groups K4 and K3 compared to group K2. Analysis of the amount of melanin also showed that there was a significant decrease in the mean in the K3 and K4 groups compared to K2 with a p value <0.05. Administration of petai peel extract gel can reduce the expression of the MITF gene and the amount of melanin in hyperpigmentation mice exposed to UVB light.