Krim ekstrak teh hijau 20 persen (Camellia sinensis) mencegah peningkatan jumlah melanin sama efektif dengan krim hidrokuinon 4 persenpada kulit marmut (Cavia porcellus) yang dipajan sinar ultraviolet B

Abstract: This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 20% green tea extract in preventing the increase of melanin in guinea pig skin exposed to UV-B and to compare the effectiveness of this treatment to 4% hydroquinone cream. This was an experimental study with the post-test only control group design. Subjects were four groups; each consisted of 7 male guinea pigs. Group 1, the control group, was exposed to UV-B only. Group 2 was exposed to UV-B and applied with cream based substance. Group 3 was exposed to UV-B and applied with 4% hydroquinone cream. Group 4 was exposed to UV-B and applied with 20% green tea extract. The total UV-B intensity was 390 mJ/cm2 consistently exposed for two weeks. Histopathological slides of the skin tissue were stained with Masson Fontana technique. The total amount of melanin was calculated in percentage of pixel compared to pixel of melanin in total epidermis. The results showed that the highest amount of melanin was in group 1 (24.44%) and the lowest amount of melanin was in group 3 (1.04%) meanwhile the amount of melanin in group 4 (1.34%) was nearly the same with group 3. There were significant differences between group 1 to group 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between group 3 and group 4 (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The 20% green tea extract was as effective as 4% hydroquinone cream in inhibiting the increase of melanin in guinea pigs’skin exposed to UV-B. Keywords: green tea extract, melanin, ultraviolet B Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efek pemberian krim ekstrak teh hijau 20% terhadap peningkatan jumlah melanin pada kulit marmut yang dipajan sinar UVB serta membandingkan efektivitasnya dengan krim hidrokuinon 4%. Jenis penelitian ialah eksperimental murni dengan post test only control group design. Subyek penelitian terdiri dari empat kelompok dengan 7 ekor marmut jantan setiap kelompok. Kelompok 1 (kelompok kontrol) diberi pajanan sinar UV-B saja. Kelompok 2 diberi pajanan sinar UV-B dan diolesi krim dasar. Kelompok 3 diberi pajanan sinar UV-B dan krim hidrokuinon 4% sedangkan kelompok 4 diberi pajanan sinar UV-B dan krim ekstrak teh hijau 20%. Dosis total UVB yaitu 390 mJ/cm2 diberikan selama 2 minggu. Sediaan histopatologik jaringan kulit dipulas dengan pewarnaan Masson Fontana. Jumlah melanin dihitung dengan persentase pixel luas area melanin dibandingkan dengan pixel seluruh jaringan epidermis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan jumlah melanin tertinggi pada kelompok 1 (24,44%) dan terendah pada kelompok 3 (1,04%). Jumlah melanin pada kelompok 4 (1,34%) hampir sama dengan kelompok 3. Terdapat perbedaan bermakna antara kelompok 1 dengan kelompok 3 dan 4 (P < 0,05). Perbandingan antara kelompok 3 dan 4 tidak berbeda bermakna dalam mencegah peningkatan jumlah melanin (P > 0,05). Simpulan: Pemberian krim ekstrak teh hijau 20% sama efektif dengan krim hidrokuinon 4% dalam mencegah peningkatan jumlah melanin kulit marmut yang dipajan sinar UV-B. Kata kunci: krim ekstrak teh hijau, melanin, ultraviolet B