Dendrobium nobile. D. loddigesii   石 斛  Shí hú   Noble orchid   Family: Orchidaceae    
Nature- cool, cold   FLAVOR: Sweet, tasteless. Slightly salty to taste
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Nourishing Yin
1. Benefit Stomach.[1,2]
2. Produce fluids. Promote salivation.[1,2] Quench thirst.[2]
INDICATIONS
1. Deficiency fevers of convalescence.[1] Restlessness and thirst.[1] Fever.[2]
2. Dehydration.[2] Parchness of mouth following fever.[1] Thirst.[2]
COMBINATIONS
-Yin deficiency with hyperactivity of Yang:Tonifies and nourishes the Liver and Kidney, subdue Yang hyperacidity, extinguishes internal Wind, promotes diuresis Achyranthes & Cassia- Yang yin jiang ya fang.
PREPARATIONS: Decoction  Stems  Fresh 15-30 g. Dried 6-12 g.[2]
Decoction. Stems 9-15 g.[1]

HABITAT: Grows on rocky cliffs or tree trunks.
DESCRIPTION: Evergreen perennial herb. 30 cm in height. Stem; erect, clustered, noded, slightly inclined, and grooved. Leaves 3 to 4, gowing on terminal node, long oval-lanceolate, apexes obtuse, bases slightly narrow, containing 5 parallel ribs. Blooms; in summer, white flower, the sepals and petals lightly purplish red at apexes, forming a racemose inflorescence. Fruit; capsule.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Research
Moscatilin from Dendrobium nobile, a naturally occurring bibenzyl compound with potential antimutagenic activity.[1]
References
[1] Miyazawa, M; Shimamura, HView Profile; Nakamura, S; Sugiura, W; Kosaka, H; et al. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry47.5 (May 1999): 2163-2167.

Dendrobium nobile protects retinal cells from UV-induced oxidative stress damage via Nrf2/HO-1 and MAPK pathways
Wei-Hsiang Hsu, Cheng-Pei Chung, Yi-Yueh Wang, Yueh-Hsiung Kuo, Chih-Hsin Yeh, I-Jung Lee, Yun-Lian Lin
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Excessive UV irradiation and ROS exposure are the main contributors of ocular pathologies. Pseudobulb of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. is one of the sources of Shihu and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic to nourish stomach, replenish body fluid, antipyretic and anti-inflammation.
Aim of study: This study aimed to investigate whether D. nobile could protect ocular cells against oxidative stress damage.
Materials and methods: Retinal-related cell lines, ARPE-19 and RGC-5 cells, were pretreated with D. nobile extracts before H2O2- and UV-treatment. Cell viability and the oxidative stress were monitored by sulforhodamine B (SRB) and SOD1 and CAT assay kits, respectively. The oxidative stress related proteins were measured by Western blotting.
Results: Under activity-guided fractionation, a sesquiterpene-enriched fraction (DN-2) and a major component (1) could ameliorate H2O2- and UV-induced cytotoxicity and SOD1 and CAT activity, but not dendrobine, the chemical marker of D. nobile. Western blotting showed both DN-2 and compound 1 protected ARPE-19 cells against UV-induced oxidative stress damage by regulating MAPK and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling.
Conclusion: Our results suggest D. nobile extract protects retinal pigment epithelia cells from UV- and oxidative stress-damage, which may have a beneficial effect on eye diseases.
J Ethnopharmacol 2022 Apr 24;288:114886. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114886. Epub 2021 Nov 29. PMID: 34856359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114886 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-inflammatory effects of Dendrobium nobile derived phenanthrenes in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages
Jeong Hwa Kim 1, Su-Yeon Oh, Sang-Bae Han, Golam Mezbah Uddin, Chul Young Kim, Jae Kwon Lee
Abstract
Dendrobium nobile belongs to the Orchidaceae family and is one of the medicinal herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine as a therapeutic agent for gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we separated three phenanthrenes (ephemeranthol A (EA), 1,5,7-trimethoxyphenanthren-2-ol (TP), dehydroorchinol (DO)) from D. nobile, and compared their anti-inflammatory activities. TP is a new phenanthrene compound and its structure was determined from (1)H, (13)C NMR and HR-ESI-MS data. To analyze the anti-inflammatory activities of the phenanthrenes, Raw 264.7 cells were used, since they are immature-macrophages and easily matured by LPS stimulation. EA and DO showed anti-inflammatory activities in the activated Raw 264.7 cells. That is, we showed that EA is a potent inhibitor of the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The inhibitory activities of phenanthrenes were found to be caused by blockage of NF-κB activation and the phosphorylation of MAP kinases in the macrophages. These results are expected to serve as a guide for future studies on the ability of phenanthrenes to inhibit acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Arch Pharm Res 2015 Jun;38(6):1117-26. doi: 10.1007/s12272-014-0511-5. Epub 2014 Nov 5. PMID: 25370607 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-014-0511-5 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dendrobium nobile Lindley and its bibenzyl component moscatilin are able to protect retinal cells from ischemia/hypoxia by dowregulating placental growth factor and upregulating Norrie disease protein
Wen-Haur Chao, Ming-Yi Lai, Hwai-Tzong Pan, Huei-Wen Shiu, Mi-Mi Chen, Hsiao-Ming Chao
Abstract
Background: Presumably, progression of developmental retinal vascular disorders is mainly driven by persistent ischemia/hypoxia. An investigation into vision-threatening retinal ischemia remains important. Our aim was to evaluate, in relation to retinal ischemia, protective effects and mechanisms of Dendrobium nobile Lindley (DNL) and its bibenzyl component moscatilin. The therapeutic mechanisms included evaluations of levels of placental growth factor (PLGF) and Norrie disease protein (NDP).
Methods: An oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) model involved cells cultured in DMEM containing 1% O2, 94% N2 and 0 g/L glucose. High intraocular pressure (HIOP)-induced retinal ischemia was created by increasing IOP to 120 mmHg for 60 min in Wistar rats. The methods included electroretinogram (ERG), histopathology, MTT assay and biochemistry.
Results: When compared with cells cultured in DMEM containing DMSO (DMSO+DMEM), cells subjected to OGD and pre-administrated with DMSO (DMSO+OGD) showed a significant reduction in the cell viability and NDP expression. Moreover, cells that received OGD and 1 h pre-administration of 0.1 μM moscatilin (Pre-OGD Mos 0.1 μM) showed a significant counteraction of the OGD-induced decreased cell viability. Furthermore, compared with the DMSO+OGD group (44.54 ± 3.15%), there was significant elevated NDP levels in the Pre-OGD Mos 0.1 μM group (108.38 ± 29.33%). Additionally, there were significant ischemic alterations, namely reduced ERG b-wave, less numerous retinal ganglion cells, decreased inner retinal thickness, and reduced/enhanced amacrine's ChAT/Müller's GFAP or vimentin immunolabelings. Moreover, there were significantly increased protein levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, PKM2, RBP2 and, particularly, PLGF (pg/ml; Sham vs. Vehicle: 15.11 ± 1.58 vs. 39.53 ± 5.25). These ischemic effects were significantly altered when 1.0 g/Kg/day DNL (DNL1.0 + I/R or I/R+ DNL1.0) was applied before and/or after ischemia, but not vehicle (Vehicle+I/R). Of novelty and significance, the DNL1.0 action mechanism appears to be similar to that of the anti-PLGF Eylea [PLGF (pg/ml); DNL1.0 vs. Eylea+I/R: 19.93 ± 2.24 vs. 6.44 ± 0.60].
Conclusions: DNL and moscatilin are able to protect against retinal ischemic/hypoxic changes respectively by downregulating PLGF and upregulating NDP. Progression of developmental retinal vascular disorders such as Norrie disease due to persistent ischemia/hypoxia might be thus prevented.
BMC Complement Altern Med 2018 Jun 22;18(1):193. doi: 10.1186/s12906-018-2256-z. PMID: 29933759 PMCID: PMC6013934 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2256-z pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical study of Dendrobium Nobile Lindl intervention on patients with metabolic syndrome
Xiaoyan Zhang 1, Miao Wang, Chengbo Zhang, Zhidong Liu, Shigao Zhou
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a common chronic disease in modern society, and the etiology and pathogenesis of it is still unknown. For its main symptoms: disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism, the usual treatment is applying statin and hypoglycemic drugs. Comparing to the long-term application of these drugs which may cost great side effects, Dendrobium Nobile Lindl (DN) has been proved for its hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects without obvious side effects. So this trial is aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DN-powder in intervention of MS, and to explore the mechanism of action of DN through multi-group correlation analysis.
Methods: This clinical trial is a single-arm, non-randomized, open, exploratory trial. A total of 30 participants who are suffering from MS will be assigned into therapy group (n = 30). The treatment course will last for 8 weeks, and a follow-up period for 4 weeks. The participants will receive DN-powder for 6 g, twice a day during the study period. The primary outcome will be the change of lipid and glucose metabolism. Other outcomes will be the body weight and body mass index (BMI) which will be assessments record in every 2 weeks. Participants who quit the trial due to untolerable reactions or uncontrollable conditions will enter into a follow-up period after the last treatment. All participants will enter into a follow-up period for 4 weeks after the last treatment. Adverse events will be recorded during the whole study.
Discussion: The results of the trial are aim to provide evidence of the safety and efficacy of DN-powder in intervention of MS which may be potential to become an important alternative therapy for certain patients.
Trial registration: It has been registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=55914. (Identifier: ChiCTR2000034550), Registered 9 July 2020.
Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Mar 26;100(12):e24574. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000024574. PMID: 33761635 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000024574 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

RNA-Seq analysis of the protection by Dendrobium nobile alkaloids against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in mice
Ya Zhang, Jinxin Zhou, Jiajia Liu, Shujun Li, Shaoyu Zhou, Chengchen Zhang, Yan Wang, Jingshan Shi, Jie Liu, Qin Wu
Abstract
Objective: Dendrobium nobile is a genuine Chinese medicine. Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids (DNLA) protects against CCl4-induced acute liver injury. This study used RNA-Seq to explore the mechanisms.
Methods: Mice were pretreated with DNLA (10 and 20 mg/kg, po) for 7 days, and subsequently intoxicated with CCl4 (20 μL/kg, ip for 24 h). Liver RNA was extracted and subjected to RNA-Seq. The bioinformatics, including PCA, GO, KEGG, two-dimensional clustering, Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA), and Illumina BaseSpace Correlation Engine (BSCE) were used to analyze the data. qPCR was performed on selected genes to verify RNA-Seq results.
Results: DNLA protection against CCl4 hepatotoxicity was confirmed by histopathology. PCA revealed the distinct gene expression patterns between the different treatment groups. GO showed that CCl4 induced the activation, adhesion and proliferation of immune cells. KEGG showed CCl4 induced oxidative stress, diseases and compromised adaptive responses. CCl4 induced differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by DESeq2 with Padj < 0.05 and 2D-clustered with other groups. DNLA reverted CCl4-induced DEGs in a dose-dependent manner. qPCR analysis of S100 g, Sprr1, CCL3/7, Saa2/3, IL1rn, Cox7a2 and Rad15 confirmed RNA-Seq results. IPA showed that CCl4 treatment altered some signaling and metabolic pathways, which were ameliorated or returned to normal following DNLA treatment. The CCl4-activated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was illustrated as an example. IPA Upstream Regulator Analysis further revealed the activated or inhibited molecules and chemicals that are responsible for CCl4-induced DEGs, and DNLA attenuated these changes. BSCE analysis verified that CCl4-induced DEGs were highly correlated with the GEO database of CCl4 hepatotoxicity in rodents, and DNLA dose-dependently attenuated such correlation.
Conclusion: RNA-Seq revealed CCl4-induced DEGs, disruption of canonical pathways, activation or inhibition of upstream regulators, which are highly correlated with database for CCl4 hepatotoxicity. All these changes were attenuated or returned to normal by DNLA, demonstrating the mechanisms for DNLA to protect against CCl4 hepatotoxicity.
Biomed Pharmacother 2021 May;137:111307. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111307. Epub 2021 Feb 6. PMID: 33561648 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111307 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov