Background : Irregular meals and insufficient exercise are major modern lifestyle-related risk factors for constipation. This study aimed to examine the effects of the aqueous extract of Dendrobium speciosum var. (DM) on the improvement of intestinal function and prevention of constipation in rats. Methods and Results : Constipation in rat was induced by loperamide (4 ㎎/㎏) injection for 5 days and rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: normal control rats (NOR), constipated rats (LOP induced) and constipated rats supplemented with dulcolax-S (POS), DMSG, 100 ㎎/㎏ (DMSG-100), 300 ㎎/㎏ (DMSG-300) and 500 ㎎/㎏ (DMSG-500). The DMSG groups showed increments in the frequency and amount of stools compared to the LOP group. Loperamide treatment markedly reduced the water content of feces, whereas DMSG administration significantly increased fecal water contents. Moreover, DMSG improved intestinal transit speed in constipated-rats. Alcian blue staining revealed increased mucus production by crypt cells and mucus contents in feces and the mucosal surface. Conclusions : In summary, DM extraction significantly improves intestinal function in rats, which indicates the effectiveness of this extract in the prevention and treatment of constipation.

Dendrobium loddigesii (DL) is a valuable and versatile herbal medicine with the anecdotal claims of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the whitening effects of DL under various conditions with B16F10 melanoma cells. The DL extract inhibited melanin contents and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner, compared with untreated group. Treatment of the DL extract effectively suppressed the α-MSH-stimulated melanin formation, tyrosinase activity and dendrite outgrowth. Moreover, the α-MSH-induced mRNA expressions of tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and protein expression of tyrosinase were significantly attenuated by DL treatment. These results indicate that DL may be a great cosmeceutical ingredient for its whitening effects.

Dendrobium moniliforme (DM) is a valuable and versatile herbal medicine with the anecdotal claims of antioxidant and anti-inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the whitening and anti-wrinkling effects of DM under various conditions with B16F10 melanoma cells and human dermal fibroblasts. The DM extract inhibited melanin contents and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner, compared with untreated group. Treatment of the DM extract effectively suppressed the α-MSH-stimulated melanin formation, tyrosinase activity and dendrite outgrowth. Moreover, the α-MSH-induced mRNA expressions of tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) and protein expression of tyrosinase were significantly attenuated by DM treatment. We also investigated the DM increased the production of type I procollagen and inhibited TNF-α-induced mRNA expressions of MMP-1, -3 in the human dermal fibroblast. These results indicate that DM may be a great cosmeceutical ingredient for its whitening and anti-wrinkle effects.

철피석곡은 중국에서 전통의약식물로 잘 알려진 난과 식물 중 하나이다. 본 연구에서는 생물반응장치를이용하여 조직 배양된 철피석곡에 대하여 화장품 성분으로써 응용 가치를 평가하였다. 이미 몇몇 보고된 논문에서 철피석곡은 항암, 상처 치유 그리고 면역기능증진 등의 약리학적 활성에 대한 연구가 진행되었다. 본 연구에서는 생물반응장치를 이용하여 조직 배양된 철피석곡의 원괴체상구체 및 다신초에 대하여 화장품 성분으로서효능, 효과를 자연에서 자란 철피석곡과 비교 평가하였다. 항산화 활성 비교 실험 결과 철피석곡의 원괴체상구체는 조직배양된 다신초 및 철피석곡 지하부 및 지상부보다 항산화 효과가 우수하였다. 조직배양된 원괴체상구체의 총 페놀 및 총 플라보노이드 성분 또한 다른 다신초나 자연에서 자란 철피석곡 추출물보다 함유량이 높음을알 수 있었다. 다른 한편으로는 피부 미백과 관련한 효과를 비교 조사한 결과, 조직 배양된 다신초가 자연에서자란 철피석곡 지상부, 지하부 및 조직 배양된 원괴체상구체보다 타이로 시네이즈 활성 억제 및 멜라닌 생성억제 효과가 우수하였다. 이러한 결과들은 피부개선을 위한 화장품 성분으로서 조직배양체의 부분별 응용 가능성을 제공할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.