PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF DENDROBIUM PHALAENOPSIS FITZG. FLOWERS

The phytochemical constituents and biological activities such as anti-oxidant activity, antimicrobial and teratogenicity of Dendrobium phalaenopsis flowers ethanolic extract were evaluated in the present study. Using Thin Layer Chromatography method, essential oils, phenols, fatty acids, anthraquinones, anthrones, tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids were detected in the ethanolic extract of D. phalaenopsis flowers. In addition, the ethanolic extract has a total phenolic content of 374.472 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/g and an anti-oxidant activity of 613.1 μg/ml. The extract inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, but showed no inhibition against Escherichia coli. Meanwhile, findings in protectant test suggests that the ethanolic extract can be a potential protectant agent against E. coli and S. aureus. Moreover, no antifungal activity was observed in the ethanolic extract against A. flavus. Lastly, for the teratogenicity using Danio rerio as model, D. phalaenopsis flowers ethanolic extract caused lethal effect such as embryo coagulation and lack of heartbeat while its teratogenic effect were severe growth retardation, little pigmentation, and yolk sac edema with an estimated LC50 of 2.15x103 ppm. Thus, the findings suggest the medicinal and anti-cancer potential of D. phalaenopsis flowers ethanolic extracts.