Antiviral Activities and Mechanism of Action Studies of Betacyanins from Red Pitahaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Against Influenza A Virus

The influenza A virus, commonly known as the flu virus, is responsible for causing flu pandemics in the past, and is threatening to cause the next pandemic in the future. Betacyanin, a pigment that is responsible for the reddish-violet color found in fruits like red pitahaya, also commonly known as red dragon fruit or “Buah Naga” in Malaysia, possesses many health benefits, but has never been studied to be used against the flu virus. This research has shown that betacyanin from red dragon fruit has the ability to combat the flu virus in the human cells through various means.