Review of research on Dendrobium, a prized folk medicine

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2012 Mar;93(5):1795-803. doi: 10.1007/s00253-011-3829-7. Epub 2012 Feb 10.

Abstract

Medicinal plants of the Dendrobium genus are highly prized, and hence, methodologies have been developed to authenticate Dendrobium drugs from its adulterants. Many bioactive constituents of Dendrobium species have been identified. The macromolecules included lectins; the enzymes chalcone synthase, sucrose synthase, and cytokinin oxidase; and polysaccharides. The polysaccharides display immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective activities. Alkaloids exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective activities. Other compounds manifest antioxidant, anticancer, and immunomodulatory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / isolation & purification
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • Dendrobium / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Traditional / methods*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Plant Extracts