Abstract
The genus Bulbophyllum is of scientific interest due to the phytochemical components and diverse biological activities found across species of the genus. Most Bulbophyllum species are epiphytic and located in habitats that range from subtropical dry forests to wet montane cloud forests. In many cultures, the genus Bulbophyllum has a religious, protective, ornamenting, cosmetic, and medicinal role. Detailed investigations into the molecular pharmacological mechanisms and numerous biological effects of Bulbophyllum spp. remain ambiguous. The review focuses on an in-depth discussion of studies containing data on phytochemistry and preclinical pharmacology. Thus, the purpose of this review was to summarize the therapeutic potential of Bulbophyllum spp. biocompounds. Data were collected from several scientific databases such as PubMed and ScienceDirect, other professional websites, and traditional medicine books to obtain the necessary information. Evidence from pharmacological studies has shown that various phytoconstituents in some Bulbophyllum species have different biological health-promoting activities such as antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective. No toxicological effects have been reported to date. Future clinical trials are needed for the clinical confirmation of biological activities proven in preclinical studies. Although orchid species are cultivated for ornamental purposes and have a wide traditional use, the novelty of this review is a summary of biological actions from preclinical studies, thus supporting ethnopharmacological data.
Highlights
The genus Bulbophyllum is gaining the attention of plant researchers because of its rich phytochemical profile and variety of biological activities reported across species of the genus
Most Bulbophyllum species are epiphytic and found in habitats that range from subtropical dry forests to wet montane cloud forests
Plants belonging to the genus Bulbophyllum are mostly epilithic herbs and sympodial with roots creeping over the surface of the substrate or aerial, filamentous to fibrous. e genus Bulbophyllum has been utilized for protective, religious, cosmetic, ornamenting, and medicinal applications
Summary
Orchids are the largest group of angiosperms consisting of nearly 28,000 species with over 736 genera [1]. Orchids are found in natural habitats in several parts of the world, their presence is decreasing due to great demand by the population [2]. Due to habitat destruction and indiscriminate collection, Orchid species are at a steady loss [3]. One of the most represented genera is Bulbophyllum ouars (Orchidaceae: subfamily Epidendroideae, subtribe Bulbophyllinae) with ca. 2,200 species distributed in Africa and Asia (China, Nepal, India, ailand, Laos, and Vietnam) [4]. E taxonomic history of Bulbophyllum has been complex since its establishment [5]. E great dimension and indefinite infrageneric systematics of this genus bring significant difficulties, reducing evolution, ecology, and morphology research [6]. Taxonomists have reported at least 24 closely related genera, classified based on floral morphology [7]. Molecular biology techniques have allowed recognizing this genus as monophyletic, i.e., belonging to a common ancestor [8]
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