Dendrobium officinale, a plant in the
Orchidaceae
family, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands
of years. Sweet and slightly cold in nature, it can invigorate the
stomach, promote fluid production, nourish Yin, and dissipate heat.
Over the past decade, more than 60 compounds have been derived from D. officinale, including flavonoids, bibenzyl, and phenanthrene.
Various studies have explored the underlying pharmacological mechanisms
of these compounds, which have shown antitumor, hypoglycemic, hypertensive,
gastrointestinal-regulatory, visceral organ protection, antiaging,
and neurorestorative effects. This paper presents a systematic review
of the structural classification, biological activity, and pharmacological
mechanisms of different chemical components obtained from D. officinale over the past decade. This review aims to
provide a reference for future study and establish a foundation for
clinical applications. Furthermore, this review identifies potential
shortcomings in current research as well as potential directions and
methodologies in future plant research.