In this study, Chinese researchers investigated the immunomodulatory activity of a polysaccharide isolated from Dendrobium sonia. They discussed their findings in an article published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines.

• The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential medicinal value of D. sonia, a popular orchid hybrid.
• To achieve this, the researchers extracted, purified and analyzed the biological properties of D. sonia polysaccharide.
• Using MTT assay, they found that D. sonia polysaccharide enhanced the viability and capacity for phagocytosis of macrophages in vitro.
• Meanwhile, in mice with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, D. sonia polysaccharide increased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-6 and interferon (IFN)-y.
• D. sonia polysaccharide also ameliorated the imbalance in mice gut microbiota composition, as detected by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that D. sonia polysaccharide can be used to treat patients with immunosuppressive conditions.

Journal Reference:

Liu W, Yan R, Zhang L. DENDROBIUM SONIA POLYSACCHARIDE REGULATES IMMUNITY AND RESTORES THE DYSBIOSIS OF THE GUT MICROBIOTA OF THE CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE-INDUCED IMMUNOSUPPRESSED MICE. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines. 2019;17(8):600–607. DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(19)30062-7