The polysaccharides in many plants are attracting worldwide attention because of
their biological activities and medical properties, such as anti-viral, anti-oxidative, antichronic
inflammation, anti-hypertensive, immunomodulation, and neuron-protective effects,
as well as anti-tumor activity. Denodrobium species, a genus of the family orchidaceae, have
been used as herbal medicines for hundreds of years in China due to their pharmacological
effects. These effects include nourishing the Yin, supplementing the stomach, increasing body
fluids, and clearing heat. Recently, numerous researchers have investigated possible active
compounds in Denodrobium species, such as lectins, phenanthrenes, alkaloids, trigonopol A,
and polysaccharides. Unlike those of other plants, the biological effects of polysaccharides in
Dendrobium are a novel research field. In this review, we focus on these novel findings to
give readers an overall picture of the intriguing therapeutic potential of polysaccharides in
Dendrobium, especially those of the four commonly-used Denodrobium species: D. huoshanense,
D. offininale, D. nobile, and D. chrysotoxum.
