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Family Orchidaceae
Bamboo orchid
Arundina graminifolia (D.Don) Hochr.

BIRD ORCHID
Zhu ye lan

Scientific names Common names
Arundina bambusifolia Lindl.           Bamboo orchid (Engl.)
Arundina graminifolia (D.Don) Hochr. Bird orchid (Engl.)
Bletia graminifolia D.Don. Grass-like leaf arundina (Engl.)
Cymbidium bambusifolia Roxb. Kinta weed (Engl.)
Accepted infraspecifics (2)  
A. graminifolia subsp. caespitosa (Aver.) Pedersen & Schuit.    
Arundina affinis Griff.  
Arundina caespitosa Aver.  
Arundina graminifolia var. revoluta (Hook.f.) A. Lamb  
Arundina minor Lindl.  
Arundina philippii var. malayana Ridl.  
Arundina revoluta Hook.f.  
Arundina revoluta var. borneensis J.J.Sm.  
Arundina stenopetala Gagnep.  
Arundina graminifolia subsp.graminifolia    
Arundina chinensis Blume  
Arundina chinensis var. major S.Y.Hu  
Arundina densa Lindl.  
Arundina densiflora Hook.f.  
Arundina graminifolia f. alba N.H.Tuan & O.Gruss  
Arundina graminifolia var. chinensis (Blume) S.S.Ying  
Arundina maculata J.J.Sm.  
Arundina meyenii (Schauer) Rchb.f.  
Arundina philippii Rchb.f.  
Arundina pulchella Teijsm. & Binn.  
Arundina pulchra Miq.  
Arundina sanderiana Kraenzl.  
Arundina speciosa Blume  
Arundina speciosa var. sarasinorum Schltr.  
Cymbidium meyenii Schauer  
Cymbidium speciosum Reinw. ex Lindl.  
Limodorum graminifolium Buch.-Ham. ex Hook.f.  
Ophrys arundinacea Noronha  
Arundina graminifolia (D.Don) Hochr. is an accepted species. KEW: Plants of the World Online

Other vernacular names
BANGLADESH: Ghasphul.
CHINESE: Zhu ye lan, Wen shang hai, Bai yang jie.
FRENCH: Orchidée bambou.
INDONESIAN: Hui bini, Hui laki
LITHUANIAN: Siauralapé arundina.
MALAY: Orkid buluh, Tapah.
MYANMAR: Wah-thit-kwa.
NEPAL: Teet pindalu.
THAI: Khaem dok kho Khaem lueang.
OTHERS: Arundina, Phanyar.

Gen info
- Arundina graminifolia is a species of orchid. It is the sole accepted species of the genus Arundina.
- Etymology: The name Arundina graminifolia derives
from the Greek word arundo, referring to the reed-like stems, and from the Latin words gramineus and folius referring to the grass-like leaves.

Botany
Arundina graminifolia is a tall terrestrial plant up to 3 meters high. Stems are erect, 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters tall and up to 1.5 centimeters in diameter. Leaves are borne in two ranks, linear-lanceolate and grass-like, 12 to 30 centimeters long, 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters wide. Simple terminal Inflorescence may be branched, 15 to 30 centimeters long. Flowers are purple red, pink to white, up to 10 centimeters across. Sepals and petals are similar, white, overspread with pink, the lip is large, darker than the sepals and petals, veined magenta with a yellow to orange-yellow patch at the base. Fruit is an elongated capsule filled with tiny seeds.

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- Cultivated in gardens.
- Grows well in the Baguio area.
- Also native to Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China, East Himalaya, Hainan, India, Jawa, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam. (10)
- In Hawaii, considered invasive on the big island.

Constituents
Study isolated five compounds: (2E)-, 2-propenoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-decosyl ester (I), p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (II), triacontanol (III) and p-hydroxybenzylethyl ether (IV), 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl (V).
• Phytochemical analysis yields benzyldihydrophenanthrene, arundinaol, stilbenoid arundinan and phenanthrene constituents.

• Contains tannin, saponin and heptacosane.
• From the rhizome, a benzyledihydrophenanthrene.
• Study isolated a novel stilbenoid, arundinan (2-( p-hydroxybenzyl)-3-hydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl). (6)
• Study of rhizome isolated a novel benzyldihydrophenanthrene, Aundinaol, from the rhizome of Arundina graminifolia. (4)
• Study of tubers isolated 34 compounds: two were new, both stilbenoids (arundinan and arundinaol), and 22 compounds were isolated for the first time. (see study below) (11)
• Study of whole plant yielded a new flavonoid, Compound 1, 3(S),4(S)-3',4'-dihydroxyl-7,8,-methylenedioxylpterocarpan, together with ten known flavonoids: medicarpin (2), 5-hydroxy-2'',2''-dimethylchromene-(3'',4'':6:7)-flavone (3), butein (4), sulfuretin (5), quercetin (6), quercetin-β-3-O- glycosides (7), kaempferol (8), kaempferol-β-3-O-glyco- sides (9), (+)-catechin (10), steppogenin-4'-O-β-D- glucoside (11). (see study below) (12)
• Study of whole plant isolated five new phenolic compounds, gramniphenols C-G (1-5) and eight known compounds (6-13). (see study below) (14)
Study of rhizome isolated a novel benzyldihydrophenanthrene named arundinaol, elucidated as 7-hydroxy-1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-2,4-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene. (16)
• Study isolated six phenanthrenes: blestriarene A (1), shacidin (2), densiflorol B (3), ephemerantho-quinone (4), coelonin (5), and lusianthridin (6). (see study below) (17)
• Study of aerial parts yielded two new phenanthrene derivatives, a phenanthrenequinone named arundiquinone (1) and a 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene named arundigramin (2), together with a known lignin dimer (3) and seven known stilbenoids (4-10). (see study below) (18)
Study of underground part of the blossoming orchid isolated six new glucosyloxybenzyl 2R-benzylmalate derivatives, arundionosides L-Q (-6), together with 5 known compounds, arundinosides
D-F, J and K (7-11).  (see study below) (27)

Properties
Considered antibacterial, antitumor, antidotal, immune regulating.

Studies have suggested anticancer, antioxidant, antidepressant, antiviral, anti-lipid peroxidation, antibacterial, anti-hemolytic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, alpha glucosidase inhibitory properties.

Parts utilized
Rhizomes, roots, stem, leaves, juice.

Uses
Edibility
• Flowers reportedly edible.
Folkloric
• No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
• In India, scrapped bulbous stem applied on heels to treat cracks.
• Leaves, root and juice used for ear pain and rheumatism.
• In traditional Chinese medicine, used as antidote, diuretic, and demulcent.
• Among the Chinese Dai people, used as antidote; used for treatment of food poisoning, snake bites, rheumatism, stomachache, and traumatic injuries. Among the Bulang and Wa ethnic people, used for treatment of bronchitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. (23)
• In Bangladesh, roots used for snakebite and intestinal biliary colic. Leaves, roots, and juice used for ear pain and rheumatism. Rhizome and leaf paste applied locally for rheumatic pains. (3)
• Flowers used to treat high blood pressure.
• Roots decoction used for diabetes, tumors, hepatitis.
• In Indonesia, boiled roots used as tonic for men, to strengthen them for work. (13)
• Roots and stems use for jaundice, beriberi edema, abdominal pain, snake bites, carbuncles and sores.
• Rhizomes used to treat body aches and bacterial infections.
• In the Himalayas, nomads apply roots, leaves, or stem paste to cure wounds and cuts; fresh juice from young leaves and stems used to treat ear problems. (26)
• In Myanmar, roots used to relieve body ache. Root decoction used for treatment of diabetes, tumors and hepatitis. (28)

Studies
Cytotoxicity against Five Cancer Cell Lines:
Study isolated eight new C-4 alkylated deoxybenzoins, three new diphenylethylenes, and five known diphenylethylenes. Evaluated for cytotoxicity, compounds 4, 5, and 9-11 showed significant cytotoxicity against five cancer cell lines. (5)
Diphenylethylenes / Anticancer:
Study of Arundina graminifolia isolated two new dephenylethylenes, gramniphenols H and I (Compounds 1 and 2), together with six known diphenylethylenes. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against PC3 cells, while compound 2 showed cytotoxicity against NB4 and PC3 cells. (7)
Bibenzyl Derivatives / Anti-Tumor Activity:
Study isolated bibenzyl derivatives from the tuber of Arundina graminifolia. Compound 3 with bibenzyl ring opening exhibited stronger anti-tumor activity than compounds 1 and 2 with bibenzyl ring closing. (8)
Antioxidant:
Study investigated the scavenging effects of Arundina graminifolia on active oxygen species OH and O2 generated by Fenton reaction and riboflavin photosensitization. Results suggest AG showed significant scavenging and antioxidant activity. (9)
Antitumor Stilbenoids and Antidepressant YL102: Study of tubers yielded isolated 34 compounds: two were new, both stilbenoids (arundinan and arundinaol), and 22 compounds were isolated for the first time. Pharmacologic evaluation showed the bibenzyls possessed remarkable anti-tumor activity in vitro. A new antidepressant formulation YL102 was investigated and developed on the basis of clinical uses and bioactivities. (11)
Flavonoids / Anti-Tumor / Cytotoxicity: Study of whole plant yielded a new flavonoid, together with ten known flavonoids. Compound 1—
3(S),4(S)-3',4'-dihydroxyl-7,8,-methylenedioxylpterocarpan—was evaluated against human tumor cells lines. Compound 1showed high cytotoxicity against HSY5Y cell with IC50 values of 2.2 μM and moderate cytotoxicities with IC50 valves 5-10 μM for other four tested cell lines. (see constituents above) (12)
Anti-Viral Phenolic Compounds: Study isolated five new phenolic compounds, gramniphenols C-G (1-5) and eight known compounds (6-13). Compounds 1, 4, and 5 showed anti0tobacco mosaic activity with IC50 of 20.8, 40.8, and 57.5 µM, respectively. Compounds 2, 3, and 6 showed anti-HIV-1 activity with therapeutic index values above 100:1. (14)
Inhibition of Lipid Peroxidation Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride: Study of an acetic ether extract showed an inhibitory effect on lecithin lipid peroxidation induced by y-Fenton radical, LPO induced by carbon tetrachloride. Results suggest the detoxification mechanism could be related to its strong inhibition effect on lipid peroxidation induced by chemical poison. (15)
• Phenanthrenes / Antibacterial / Anti-Hemolytic: Study of A. graminifolia isolated six phenanthrenes. The compounds exhibited antibacterial and anti-hemolytic activities. Compounds 1 and 2 showed medium activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, and E. coli. Study of bactericidal mechanisms observed rupture of cell wall and membrane and leakage of nuclear mass. Compounds 1-3 attenuated erythrocyte damage. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant anti-hemolytic activity. (see constituents above) (17)
• Cytoprotective / Aerial Parts: Aerial parts of A. graminifolia yielded two new phenanthrene derivatives, together with a known lignin dimer and seven known stilbenoids. Isolated compounds were studied for cytoprotective activity via reduction of beta amyloid induced toxicity on undifferentiated PC12 cells. Compound 8 showed moderate cytoprotective activity at 0.5 µmol/L (71% of cell viability). (see constituents above) (18)
• Stilbenoids / Anti-Hepatic Fibrosis Activity: Study isolated ten stilbenoids which were examined for anti-hepatic fibrosis activity against HSC-T6 cells in vitro. Compounds 4 (3,3'-dihydroxy-5--methoxy-
bibenzl) and compound 5 (7-hydroxy-2,8-dimethoxy-phenanthrene-1,4-dione) exhibited moderate growth inhibitory effects with IC50 61.9 µg/mL and 53.7 µg/mL, respectively. (19)
• Cytotoxic Deoxybenzoins and Diphenylethylenes: Study yielded eight new C-4-alkylated deoxybenzoins (1-8), three new diphenylethylenes (9-11) and five known diphenylethylenes. Compounds 1-11 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. Compounds 4,5, and 9-11 showed significant cytotoxicity evaluated against five cancer cell lines, with IC50 ranging from 1.8 to 8.7 µM. (20)
• Antiifungal: Study evaluated 72 extracts from 12 medicinal plants, including Arundina graminifolia, for fungistatic and fungicidal activity against six fungal species viz. Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, I Issatchenkia orientalis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus brasiliensis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. All the plant extracts showed antifungal activity with 69.21% and 41.20% of the bioassays demonstrating fungistatic and fungicidal activities, respectively. (21)
• Transcription Profiling of Flavonoids and Bibenzyls: The bamboo orchid produces large waste after cut flower selection.  Study reports on the identification of important medicinal components in various parts of A. graminifolia. Transcription analysis was performed for five stages of flower developments and four tissue types (mature flower, silique, root, and leaf) to ascertain genetic regulators of flavonoids and bibenzyls. Prominent concentrations of bibenzyl, phenylpropanoid, and flavone were found in major plant parts, such as leaf, root, stem, flower, and fruit, suggesting multiple accumulation of phytochemicals in bamboo orchid. Study suggests the whole plant of A. graminifolia and its short life cycles make it a potential source of bioactive compounds for medicinal purposes than other orchid species. (24)
• Antioxidant / Anti-Inflammatory / Leaves: Study evaluated A. graminifolia leaf extract (ALE) for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The ALE yielded total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity by scavenging of free radicals. The IC50s of ALE by DPPH and ABTS assays were 155.17 and 13.82 µg/mL, respectively. ALE significantly inhibited LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators, including production of NO and IL-6. Results suggest potential use as functional food or pharmaceutical product with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. (25)
• Arundinosides / Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory / Antioxidant / Underground Parts: Study of underground part of the blossoming orchid isolated six new glucosyloxybenzyl 2R-benzylmalate derivatives, arundionosides L-Q (-6), together with 5 known compounds, arundinosides
D-F, J and K (7-11). Compounds 4-6 and 9 showed moderate to weak α-glucosidase inhibitory effects and moderate antioxidant effect. (27)

α-amyrin,
y - gamma
γ

δ

α-amyrin,
y - gamma
γ

δ

α

©

 

Availability
- Ornamental cultivation.
- Roots in the cybermarket.


Updated November 2023 / Feb 2021 /Feb 2018 / Aug 2016

PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
Photos © Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Chemical constituents from the rhizoma of Arundina graminifolia / China journal of Chinese materia medica / 2004-Feb; vol 29 (issue 2) : pp 147-9
(2)
MEDICINAL ORCHID WEALTH OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH / Dr. a. Nageswara Rao

(3)
Inherited Folk Pharmaceutical Knowledge of Tribal People in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh / Animesh Biswas, M A Bari, Mohashweta Roy, and SK Bhadra / Indian Journ of Traditional Knowledge , Jan 2010; 9(1): pp 77-89
(4)
One new benzyldihydrophenanthrene from Arundina graminifolia / Mei-Feng Liu et al / Journal of Asian Natural Products Research, Volume 7, Issue 5 October 2005 , pages 767 - 770 / DOI: 10.1080/102860204100016890181
(5)
Cytotoxic Deoxybenzoins and Diphenylethylenes from Arundina graminifolia
/ Qiu-Fen Hu, Bin Zhou, Yan-Qing Ye, Zhi-Yong Jiang, Xiang-Zhong Huang, Yin-Ke Li, Gang Du, Guang-Yu Yang *, and Xue-Mei Gao * / J. Nat. Prod., 2013, 76(10): pp 1854–1859 / DOI: 10.1021/np400379u
(6)
A NEW STILBENOID FROM ARUNDINA GRAMINIFOLIA/ MEI-FENG LIU, YUN HAN, DONG-MING XING, YUE SHI, LI-ZHEN XU, LI-JUN DU and YI DING / Journal of Asian Natural Products Research, September 2004, 6(3): pp. 229–232 / DOI: 10.1080/10286020310001653219
(7)
Two New Diphenylethylenes from Arundina graminifolia and Their Cytotoxicity
/ Yin-Ke Li et al / Bull. Korean Chem. Soc. 2013, Vol. 34, No. 11 3257 http://dx.doi.org/10.5012/bkcs.2013.34.11.3257
(8)
Antitumoral bibenzyl derivatives from tuber of Arundina graminifolia / Liu Meifeng, LV Haoran, Ding Yi / China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica
(9)
Study on the Antioxidant Activities of Arundina Graminifolia Dai Medicines / Wang Xuemei, Zhang Jiansheng, Gao Yuntao / Journal of Yunnan Nationalities University(Natural Sciences Edition), 2009-02
(10)
Arundina graminifolia / Synonyms / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(11)
Studies on Chemical Constituents of Arundina Graminifolia of Dai Medicine and Pharmaceutical Studies of Antidepressant YL102 / Doctoral Dissertation / China Papers
(12)
Flavonoids Derivatives from Arundina graminifolia and Their Cytotoxicity
/ LIDAN SHU, YANQIONG SHEN, LIYING YANG, XUEMEI GAO,* and QIU-FEN HU / Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2013; Vol 25, No 15: pp 8358-8360
(13)
COMPARING MEDICINAL PLANTS USE FOR TRADITIONAL AND MODERN HERBAL MEDICINE IN LONG NAH VILLAGE OF EAST KALIMANTAN / Suharjito, D., Darusman, L.K., Darusman, D. and Suwarno, E. / Bionatura-Jurnal Ilmu-ilmu Hayati dan Fisik Vol. 16, No. 2, Juli 2014: 95 - 102
(14)
Antiviral Phenolic Compounds from Arundina gramnifolia / Qiu-Fen Hu, Bin Zhou, Jian-Ming Huang, Xue-Mei Gao, Li-Dan Shu, Guang-Yu Yang*, and Chun-Tao Che / J. Nat. Prod., 2013, 76 (2), pp 292–296 /
DOI: 10.1021/np300727f
(15)
The inhibition effect of the extract of arundina graminifolia on lipid peroxidation induced by carbon tetrachloride / GAO Yun-tao, LIU Ping, HE Mi-er, LIU Shu-bo / Journal of Yunnan University of Nationalities, Natural Sciences Edition, 2013-03
(16)
One new benzyldihydrophenanthrene from Arundina graminifolia / Mei-Feng Liu, Yun Han, Dong-Ming Xing, Wei Wang, Li-Zhen Xu, Li-Jun Du & Yi Ding / Journal of Asian Natural Products Research, Volume 7, 2005, Issue 5 / DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/102860204100016890181
(17)
Phenanthrenes from Arundina graminifolia and in vitro evaluation of their antibacterial and anti-haemolytic properties / Xuemeng Yan, Bingxue Tang & Meifeng Liu / Natural Product Research, Vol 32, Issue 6 (2018) / https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1332606
(18)
Two New Stilbenoids from the Aerial Parts of Arundina graminifolia (Orchidaceae) / Florence Auberon, Opeyemi Joshua Olatunji, Stéphanie Krisa, Cyril Antheaume, Gaëtan Herbette, Frédéric Bonté, Jean-Michel Mérillon and Annelise Lobstein / Molecules 2016, 21, 1430 / DOI:10.3390/molecules21111430
(19)
Study on the structures and anti-hepatic fibrosis activity of stilbenoids from Arundina graminifolia (D. Don) Hochr. /  and  / IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Vol 274, Conference 1
(20)
Cytotoxic Deoxybenzoins and Diphenylethylenes from Arundina graminifolia
/ Qiu-Fen Hu, Bin Zhou, Yan-Qing Ye, Zhi-Yong Jiang, Xiang-Zhong Huang, Yin-Ke Li, Gang Du, Guang-Yu Yang and Xue-Mei Gao / J. Nat. Prod., 2013, 76 (10), pp 1854–1859 / DOI10.1021/np400379u
(21)
Evaluation of the antifungal properties of twelve medicinal plants and isolaton of actiive compounds from Nepenthes gracilis / Gwee Pei Shing / Dissertation, 2013 / Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
(22)
Arundina / Wikipedia
(23)
Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Arundina graminifolia (D.Don) Hochr. And other common Orchidaceae medicinal plants / Xingyu Zhang, Weichi Chen, Yimei Du, Pengwen Su, Yourou, Jie Ning, Meifeng Liu / J Ethnopharmacol., 2021; 276: 114143 / DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114143
(24)
The Transcriptome Profiling of Flavonoids and Bibenzyls Reveals Medicinal Importance of Rare Orchid Arundina graminifolia / Sagheer Ahmad, Jie Gao, Yonglu Wei, Chuqiao Lu, Chenfa Zhu, Fengxi Yang / Frontiers Plant Science, 2022; Sec Plant Development and EvoDevo, Vol 13 /
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.923000
(25)
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Arundina graminifolia Leaf Extract / Wanisa Punfa, Chakkrit Khanaree, Payungsak Tantipaiboonwong et al / Health Science Journal of Thailand, 2023; 5(3) /
DOI: 10.55164/hsjt.v5i3.260122
(26)
Therapeutic Himalayan herbs: Folklore uses, bioactive phytochemicals, and biological activities of medicinal orchids used by Nomads / Bikarma Singh / Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources , 2022; 13(1): pp 94-104
(27)
New glucosyloxybenzyl 2R-benzylmalate derivatives from the undergrounds parts of Arundina graminifolia (Orchidaceae). / Florence Auberon, Opeyemi Joshua Olatunji, Pierre Waffo-Teguo, Ademola Ezekiel Adekoya, Frédéric Bonté, Jean-Michel Merillon, Annelise Lobstein /  Fitoterapia, 2019; 135: pp 33-43 /
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2019.03.030 / hal-02623591
(28)
Medicinal Uses of Some Wild Orchids in Taunggyi District of Southern Shan State and Taungoo District / Moe Sandar Shein, Khin Swe Swe Htun, Sandar Hlaing / 3rd Myanmar Korea Conference Research Journal, 3(2)







 




α(5)

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)

                                                            List of Understudied Philippine Medicinal Plants
                                          New plant names needed
The compilation now numbers over 1,300 medicinal plants. While I believe there are hundreds more that can be added to the collection, they are becoming more difficult to find. If you have a plant to suggest for inclusion, native or introduced, please email the info: scientific name (most helpful), local plant name (if known), any known folkloric medicinal use, and, if possible, a photo. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
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