[Comparative study of tissue cultured Dendrobium protocorm with natural Dendrobium candidum on immunological function].

Objective: To compare the immunological function and acute toxicity of the tissue cultured protocorm from Dendrobium candidum with natural medicinal materials from Dendrobium candidum.

Methods: The effect on immunological function was examined by counting white blood cells, weighing the weight of immune organs, and using carbon granules clearance and lymphocyte transformation test in mice treated with cyclophospamide. The acute toxicity was studied by giving maximum tolerated dose.

Results: The tissue cultured protocorm could increase the quantity of white blood cells, the ratios of thymus weight to body weight and spleen weight to body weight, promote the function of phagocytes and enhance the lymphocyte transformation rate. The mice could tolerate the dose of 54.56 g/kg(dried herbs) by oral administration. The functions were similar to those of natural medicinal materials from Dendrobium candidum.

Conclusion: Both tissue cultured protocorm and natural medicinal materials from Dendrobium candidum could improve immunological function with similar potency. The maximum tolerated dose was 227 times as high as the effective clinical.