Diverse biological activity of Odontoglossum Harvengtense 'Tutu' bulb extracts.

Background: Several pharmacologically active substances have been isolated from orchid plants, but not from Odontoglossum Harvengtense 'Tutu'. Whether MeOH extract fractions from Odontoglossum Harvengtense 'Tutu' bulb exert biological activity was investigated.

Materials And Methods: The MeOH extract was stepwise separated by organic solvents into n-hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH and H(2)O layer fractions. Cytotoxic activity against human tumor and normal cells was determined by MTT method. Nitric oxide (NO) was determined by Griess method. Osteoclastogenesis was monitored by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity.

Result: Among four fractions, the EtOAc fraction showed the highest tumor-specific cytotoxicity, and inhibited NO production by lipopoly-saccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage-like cells and receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis to the greatest extent.

Conclusion: As compared with Odontioda Marie Noel 'Velano' bulbs, the anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory substances of Odontoglossum Harvengtense 'Tutu' are concentrated more exclusively into the EtOAc fraction.