Exploring the Potential of Red Fruit Oil to Modulate Melanogenesis by Evaluating MITF Gene Expression in α-MSH-Induced B16F10 Melanoma Cells

Red fruit oil (RFO), derived from Pandanus conoideus Lam., is traditionally used in Papua to treat various ailments and has shown promise in alleviating hyperpigmentation induced by ultraviolet radiation. However, the molecular basis of its antimelanogenic effects, particularly its influence on microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression, remains underexplored. This research sought to examine the efficacy of RFO to suppress melanogenesis by evaluating MITF gene expression in α-MSH-induced B16F10 melanoma cells. A laboratory-based experimental design was conducted from March 2024 to June 2025 at the Central Laboratory of Universitas Padjadjaran. B16F10 cells were allocated into seven groups: an untreated control, a negative control (α-MSH only), a positive control (α-MSH + arbutin), and four treatment groups exposed to α-MSH combined with RFO at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL. Cell viability was assessed using the Resazurin assay, and MITF gene expression was analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Statistical tests included the Shapiro–Wilk test for normality and the Kruskal–Wallis test for group comparisons. RFO exhibited no cytotoxicity across all concentrations. Although the decrease in MITF expression was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), a downward trend was observed at 12.5–50 μg/mL, suggesting a potential dose-dependent inhibitory effect on melanogenesis. These findings support the potential of RFO as a natural antimelanogenic agent and highlight the need for further investigation into additional targets such as TRP-1 and TRP-2.