Datasets

The
effect of ingestion of Red dragon fruit extract on levels of malondialdehyde
and superoxide dismutase after strenuous exercise in rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Gusbakti R1, Syafrudin Ilyas2,
I Nyoman Ehrich Lister3, Chrismis N Ginting4

Background: Prolonged activation of skeletal muscles causes a decrease in the
production of force known as Fatigue. Exercise with strenuous intensity causes an
increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). An increase in free radicals causes
oxidative stress resulting in damage to cell function to mitochondrial
dysfunction, and Fatigue. This study aimed to
determine the antioxidant potential of red dragon fruit (RDF) to delay Fatigue due to oxidative stress, which
improves cell function in mitochondria.
Methodology: The subjects of
this study consisted of twenty-five male rats (Rattus norvegicus) aged three months with an average weight of 200 grams.
The
subjects were further divided into 5 groups consist of; group K1 was N.A. (No Activity) but drinking and
eating. Group K2 performed strenuous exercise without Red Dragon Fruit (NRDF)
treatment. Groups 3, 4, and 5 performed strenuous exercise and were treated
with 75 mg kg-1.bw, 150 mg kg-1.bw, and 300 mg kg-1.bw
of RDF extract, respectively. The exercise for the rats involved intense
swimming for 20 minutes every day, four days a week for 31 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured with the ELISA method and analysed of hematoxylin and eosin dyed paraffin of the embedded part
of the soleus muscle under an optical microscope and record the results.
Results: Strenuous exercise followed by
RDF extract ingestion was compared for Fatigue in terms of duration and time;
before (24.55±1.38 minute) and after (95.31±7.82 minute) and led to a
significant difference of 39% (p<0.01). The study also compared MDA before
and after RDF extract ingestion in the K2 vs. the P1 group (p<0.05). At the
same time, RDF treatment can increase SOD significantly (P <0.05). Indicated a spread of free radicals and
featured histopathological damage of muscle cells. Severe
inflammation and necrosis of muscle tissues were observed in histopathology in
the K1, K2, P1, and P2 groups; only mild inflammation and necrosis were
observed in the P3 group (300 mg kg-1.bw
of RDF extract). Ingestion of RDF extract leads to improvement of
soleus muscle cells; thus, repairs cell function, delaying Fatigue.
Conclusion: This study confirmed that strenuous
exercise, which causes an increase in ROS, intensifies free radicals with RDF
extract ingestion and declines oxidative stress, repairing cell function and
delaying Fatigue.

Keywords: Red Dragon
Fruit (RDF), Strenuous exercise, MDA, Improved cell function, Fatigue