Original Research
DOI DOI: 10.65239/botanicaldrugs.2026.01

Safety Evaluation of Dendrobium officinale Combined with Black Tea Extract in Rodents

Ming-Yue Wang1, Guo-Tao Li1, Meng-Fei An2, Shao-Ying Zhao3, Rui Zan1, Yu-Ran Xu1, Qing-Hong Zi1, Yu-Rong Lu4, Yan-Xuan Lu4, Yun-Li Zhao4, Xuan-Jun Wang1
  1. 1 College of Agronomy, College of Resources, Environment, and Chemistry, Chuxiong Normal University, China
  2. 2 Key Laboratory of Pu-erh Tea Science, Ministry of Education, College of Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, China
  3. 3 Outpatient Department, Honghe Prefecture Third People’s Hospital, China
  4. 4 Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory Co., Ltd; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education; School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, China

Abstract

Background: Potential acute and chronic oral toxic effects of Dendrobium officinale (DO) and black tea extract (BTE) mixture, a health-care food for osteoporosis, were evaluated to assess its suitability for therapeutic exploitation. Materials & Methods: Acute toxicity was examined via intragastric administration of DO-BTE twice within 24 h at 5 g/kg for a 14-day observation. In the subchronic toxicity test, normal rats were orally administered the combination at doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg twice daily for 90 days. Female ovariectomized (OVX) rats were intragastrically administered DO-BTE at 0.84 g/kg for 90 days. Results: Acute toxicity test disclosed no death or marked signs of toxicity, except lower activity in the combination treatment group. The maximal tolerance dose (MTD) of DO-BTE was 10 g/kg. In the chronic toxicity experiment, the rates of body weight growth in the combination treatment groups were slower than that in the control group. Plasma fibrinogen (FIB) and platelet (PLT) levels showed a decreasing trend. Conclusion: Acute and long-term toxicity tests revealed no toxic side-effects at the given doses in rodents, supporting further clinical investigation.

How to Cite

1.
Wang M-Y, Li G-T, An M-F, Zhao S-Y, Zan R, Xu Y-R, et al. Safety Evaluation of Dendrobium officinale Combined with Black Tea Extract in Rodents. Botanical Drugs [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 25 [cited 2026 Jul. 12];1:1-11. Available from: https://botanicaldrugs.org/index.php/pub/article/view/2
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS) BibTeX

References

  1. Harry HS, PhD F. Integration of herbal medicine into modern medical practices: issues and prospects. Integr Cancer Ther. 2002;1(4):287–293.
  2. Jin SE, Seo CS, Lee MY, et al. Sub-chronic toxicity of Gyejibokryeong-hwan in Sprague-Dawley rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;224:441–450.
  3. Zhang JX, He CM, Wu KL, et al. Transcriptome analysis of Dendrobium officinale and its application to genes associated with polysaccharide synthesis. Front Plant Sci. 2016;7:5–18.
  4. Wang Q, Sun P, Wang R, Zhao X. Therapeutic effect of Dendrobium candidum on lupus nephritis in mice. Pharmacogn Mag. 2017;13:129–135.
  5. Tang HX, Zhao TW, Sheng YJ, et al. Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo: a review on its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and industrialization. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:7436259.
  6. Wang Q, Sun P, Li GJ, et al. Inhibitory effects of Dendrobium candidum Wall ex Lindl. on colon carcinogenesis in C57BL/6 mice. Oncol Lett. 2013;7:493–498.
  7. Konarikova K, Jezovicova M, Kerestes J, et al. Anticancer effect of black tea extract in human cancer cell lines. SpringerPlus. 2015;4:127–132.
  8. Das AS, Das D, Mukherjee M, et al. Phytoestrogenic effects of black tea extract in an oophorectomized rat model of osteoporosis. Life Sci. 2005;77:3049–3057.
  9. Lee LK, Foo KY. Recent advances on the beneficial use and health implications of Pu-Erh tea. Food Res Int. 2013;53:619–628.
  10. Pan HB, Gao Y, Tu YY. Mechanisms of body weight reduction by black tea polyphenols. Molecules. 2016;21:1659–1669.
  11. MSc ASD, MSc MM, PhD CM. Evidence for a prospective anti-osteoporosis effect of black tea extract in a bilaterally ovariectomized rat model. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004;13:210–216.
  12. Wang MY, Shen C, An MF, et al. Combined treatment with Dendrobium candidum and black tea extract promotes osteoprotective activity in ovariectomized rats. Life Sci. 2018;200:31–41.
  13. Wang YS, Sun J, Zhang K, et al. Black tea and D. candidum extracts play estrogenic activity via estrogen receptor α-dependent signaling pathway. Am J Transl Res. 2018;10:114–125.
  14. Lee MJ, Jung HK, Kim MS, et al. Acute toxicity and cytotoxicity evaluation of Dendrobium moniliforme aqueous extract. Lab Anim Res. 2016;32:144–150.
  15. Wang D, Xu K, Zhong Y, et al. Acute and subchronic oral toxicities of Pu-erh black tea extract in Sprague-Dawley rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;134:156–164.
  16. OECD. Test No. 423: Acute Oral Toxicity – Acute Toxic Class Method. OECD Publishing, Paris. 2001.
  17. OECD. Test No. 408: Repeated Dose 90-Day Oral Toxicity Study in Rodents. OECD Publishing, Paris. 2018.
  18. International Council for Harmonisation (ICH). M3(R2) Nonclinical Safety Studies for the Conduct of Human Clinical Trials. 2009.
  19. Sireeratawong S, Jaijoy K, Khonsung P, et al. Acute and chronic toxicities of Bacopa monnieri extract in Sprague-Dawley rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:249–258.
  20. Hilaly JE, Israili ZH, Lyoussi B. Acute and chronic toxicological studies of Ajuga iva in experimental animals. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;91:43–50.
  21. Han ZZ, Xu HD, Kim KH, et al. Reference data of the main physiological parameters in control Sprague-Dawley rats. Lab Anim Res. 2010;26:153–164.
  22. Lee JM, Lee MA, Do HN, et al. Historical control data from 13-week repeated toxicity studies in Crj:CD (SD) rats. Lab Anim Res. 2012;28:115–121.
  23. Zhang Q, Li J, Zhang W, et al. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of honokiol microemulsion. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015;71:428–436.
  24. Liju VB, Jeena K, Kuttan R. Acute and subchronic toxicity as well as mutagenic evaluation of essential oil from turmeric. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;53:52–61.
  25. Sireeratawong S, Vannasiri S, Nanna U, et al. Evaluation of acute and chronic toxicities of the water extract from Ziziphus attopensis Pierre. ISRN Pharmacol. 2012;2012:1–7.
  26. MS UN, PhD KJ, PhD NL, et al. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity of Tri-Sa-Maw recipe in rats. J Med Assoc Thai. 2015;98:S8–S15.
  27. Sireeratawong S, Jaijoy K, Panunto W, et al. Acute and chronic toxicity studies of Terminalia bellerica in Sprague-Dawley rats. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013;10:223–231.
  28. Wilhelmsen L, Svärdsudd K, Korsanbengtsen K, et al. Fibrinogen as a risk factor for stroke and myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med. 1984;311:501–505.
  29. Tatli E, Ozcelik F, Aktoz M. Plasma fibrinogen level may predict critical coronary artery stenosis in young adults with myocardial infarction. Cardiol J. 2009;16:317–320.
  30. Akindele AJ, Adeneye AA, Salau OS, et al. Dose and time-dependent sub-chronic toxicity study of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Flabellaria paniculata. Front Pharmacol. 2014;5:78–88.
  31. Jia Z, Liu M, Qu Z, et al. Toxic effects of zearalenone on oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and pathological changes in the kidney of pregnant rats. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2014;37:580–591.
  32. Rahman MF, Siddiqui MKJ, Jamill K. Effects of Vepacide on aspartate and alanine aminotransferase profiles in a subchronic study with rats. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2001;20:243–249.
  33. Mukinda JT, Eagles PFK. Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity profiles of the aqueous extract of Polygala fruticosa in female mice and rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010;128:236–240.
  34. Petterino C, Argentino SA. Clinical chemistry and haematology historical data in control Sprague-Dawley rats. Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2006;57:213–219.
  35. Lillie LE, Temple NJ, Florence LZ. Reference values for young normal Sprague-Dawley rats: weight gain, hematology and clinical chemistry. Hum Exp Toxicol. 1996;15:612–616.
  36. Ramirez JH, Palacios M, Tamayo O, et al. Acute and subacute toxicity of Salvia scutellarioides in mice and rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007;109:348–353.