Anti-inflammation and Anti-tyrosinase effect of Robusta coffee BP-42 extract gel on clinical appearance after skin grafting in long evans rats

This study compares the anti-hyperpigmentation activity of kojic acid and Robusta BP-42 coffee bean extract on skin-grafted rats. Kojic acid is one of the standards for reducing pigmentation on the skin. But, kojic acid usage presents side effects for some patients, such as skin irritation, redness, and itching. Robusta BP-42 is one of the best robusta coffee strains found in Indonesia. The Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Jember Regency, East Java, provides this coffee. BP-42 coffee has the highest quality grain and organoleptic score compared to other strains. Three groups of grafted skin on long Evans rats were treated with 2% kojic acid gel (positive control), 5% robusta BP-42 coffee extract gel, and placebo gel (negative control). Observation occurred for 21 days. The photos of grafted skin were taken on days 0, 4, 7, 11, 18 and 21. Skin pigmentation was measured using ImageJ software. Histological examination was performed on days 7, 14, and 21 for all treatment groups. These histological preparations were stained with Masson Fontana. The result showed that Robusta BP-42 coffee extract gel showed a similar clinical and histological measurement to positive control. Robusta BP-42 coffee can be a new candidate to treat hyperpigmentation after skin graft surgery.