The Impact of Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Consumption on Improving Cell Function in Mitochondria in Delaying Fatigue during Strenuous Exercise

Strenuous exercise causes an increase in ROS and free radicals, leading to cell damage in mitochondrial dysfunction and fatigue. This research aimed to investigate the impact of red dragon fruit (RDF) consumption on improving cell function in mitochondria to delay fatigue during strenuous exercise. This study consisted of 25 male rats aged three months old and weighed 200 grams, and RDF extracts from methanol with an air-drying method. Five groups were randomly assigned, namely K1 (NA), K2 with controlled exercise, and no RDF (NRDF); and Groups P1, P2, and P3 treated with 75 mg kg-1.bw RDF, 150 mg kg-1.bw RDF, and 300 mg kg-1.bw RDF respectively, with swimming exercise for 20 minutes a day, three times a week for 31 days. ELISA was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) and HE staining to measure the soleus muscle. Results. Strenuous exercise with RDF fatigue time treatment resulted in 38.82% (p<0.01). MDA in the K2 vs. P1 and P2 groups was significant (p < 0.05). P3 was significant (p<0.01). Also, histopathological features showed damaged muscle cells, but the muscle cells were repaired after RDF treatment. Conclusion. Strenuous exercise causes increased ROS and free radicals due to decreased oxidative stress, but RDF treatment repaired the functions of the muscle cells and delayed fatigue.