Anti Influenza Virus Activity of a Red-Fleshed Potato Anthocyanin

We have bred red-fleshed potato from hybrid seedlings between cultivars of Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum and S. tuberosum ssp. andigena. The anthocyanin of red-fleshed potato inactivated both influenza viruses A (IVA) and B (IVB). The IC50 of red-fleshed potato anthocyanin was 48 μg/ml (IVA) and 54 μg/ml (IVB). The IC50 of pelanin was 107 μg/ml (IVA) and 83 μg/ml (IVB). The antiviral activities of pelanin against influenza viruses were lower than the red-fleshed potato anthocyanin. In our previous reports black currant anthocyanins showed an additive antiviral effect. Therefore, we believe that the antiviral activity of the potato anthocyanin comes from the additive or synergistic effect of each anthocyanin pigments and other coexisting pigments.