Some Dendrobium species are known to be used in Chinese materia and have pharmacological
properties. Mitochondria regulate the energetic level of human cells via their respiratory
chain. Aging and senescent cells allow a decreased energetic synthesis network. The
phytochemical analysis of Dendrobium chrysotoxum (orchidaceae) flower ethanol-water
70/30 extract reveals the presence of mono, oligo, polysaccharides, terpenoids, lipids
and phenolic compounds. A focus on flavonoid fraction was made using HPLC/LC-MS/RMN
and HPTLC-AMD (automated multiple development) method with a methanol/diisopropylether/heptan
gradient, isocratic elution and revelation using Neu + Peg reagents and detection
at 254 and 366nm. For the first time the presence of 4 different isorhamnetine3-O
glycosides derivatives is described. A specifically designed human mitochondria PCR
array centered on specific genes involved in energy synthesis was used on normal human
skin cells cultures treated with Dendrobium chrysotoxum flavonoid extract. This identified
extract at12.5µg/ml stimulates (X 2.55) the gene SLC25A7 which manages the importation
of H+ ions in the mitochondrial respiratory chain.
Our study suggests that this Dendrobium flower extract can be used to restore or boost
senescent cell respiratory chain function.
