Phytochemical Screening and Pharmacological Testing of "Sanggumay" Orchid (Dendrobium superhum Reichb.)

Abstract

This study primarily aimed to perform phytochemical screening and pharmacological testing on a locally abundant orchid that grows widely in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur commonly known as "Sanggumay" orchid (Dendrobium superbum Reichb.) This experimental investigation determined the chemical substances present in both the stems and leaves and determined the pharmacological effects of the ethanol extract using male Swiss mice as test animals in terms of analgesia and toxicity. The following chemical substances like alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponims and sterols were found to be present in both the stems and leaves of "Sanggumay" orchid (Dendrobium superbum Reichb.)
There are pharmacological effects of the ethanol extract (screened substances( using male Swiss mice as test animals. Under the conditions of this test, the ethanol extract showed that it has an analgesic activity when administeredorally to male Swiss mice; it produced a 6.25%, 31.25% and 56.25% protection against writhing at 500, 1000 and 1,500 mg/kg, respectively. The approximate Lethal Dose (ALD) of the sample ethanol extract of "Sanggumay" orchid administered orally in male Swiss mice is 2,500 mg/kg. Toxidrome ranged from ptosis, decreased motor activity and convulsion leading to the deaths of male Swiss mice. In the autopsy findings, all mice that died immediately and those sacrificed and autopsied after fourteen (14) days had grossly normal findings.