The Effect of Red Dragon Fruit Juice (Hylocereus Polyrhizus) on Liver Histopathological Images in Wistar Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke contains toxic components, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, carbon dioxide, and tar, which can trigger the formation of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) and reduce antioxidant reserves, which impact oxidative stress and are known to cause damage to liver cell membranes. Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is a fruit that is rich in antioxidants that inhibit ROS and prevent damage to liver cells by cigarette smoke. This study aims to assess the effect of administering red dragon fruit juice on liver microscopic images in Wistar rats exposed to cigarette smoke. It was an experimental study with a post-test-only control group design. Thirty-five male Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus) were randomized into five groups. Four groups were exposed to cigarette smoke (K-, P1, P2, and P3), and the fifth group was used as a control (K). All the P-groups were given red dragon fruit juice 2 g/2.5 ml, 4 g/2.5 ml, and 8 g/2.5 ml, respectively, for twenty-eight days. On the 29th day, the livers of Wistar rats were taken for preparation and microscopic observation. The research data were analyzed using the Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney post hoc tests to determine group differences. The average liver cell damage in K, K-, P1, P2, and P3 were 1.23, 2.51, 1.57, 1.51, and 1.43, respectively. There was a significant difference in damage between the K- group and the P1 (p = 0.002), P2 (p = 0.004), and P3 (p = 0.002) groups. The administration of red dragon fruit juice can protect the liver cells of rats exposed to cigarette smoke.