Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides—chemical properties and pharmacodynamic effects on the airways in experimental conditions

Abstract The study aimed to analyze the effects of Dendrobium polysaccharides on the cough and airway reactivity and compare them with the effects of clinically used antitussives (codeine phosphate and butamirate citrate) and bronchodilators (salbutamol), using the guinea pig test system. Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides contained proteins (4.0 wt%) and phenolic compounds (1.7 wt%) with a molecular weight of 25,000 g/mol. The sugar analysis revealed a dominance of glucose (93.7 wt%) and a lesser amount of mannose (5.1 wt%) while other sugar quantities were negligible. Methylation analysis indicated the presence of highly branched polysaccharides. Glucose was found mainly as terminal, 1,4‐ and 1,6‐linked. Furthermore, some 1,4‐ and 1,6‐linked glucose units were found branched at O2, O3, and O6/O4. Mannose was terminal and 1,4‐linked. NMR spectra signals indicate the presence of the (1→4)‐linked α‐ d ‐glucan, (1→4)‐linked β‐ d ‐glucan branched at position O6, (1→6)‐linked β‐ d ‐glucan branched at position O3 and (1→4)‐linked glucomannan. Pharmacological studies showed statistically significant antitussive activity of Dendrobium polysaccharides, exceeding the effect of clinically used antitussives, which may be partially associated with confirmed bronchodilation and the ability of polysaccharides to increase the threshold of cough receptor activation. Dendrobium polysaccharides may increase the possibility of symptomatic treatment of cough, especially in asthmatics.