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CM-16

Ocular protective potential of Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook extract under

blue light exposure

3
#,1
2
Wei-Chin Chang, Chuan-Teng Liu, Ying-Chyi Song, Michael Heinrich, 4,5,6 Hung-
Rong Yen *,2,6,7,8

1 School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical
University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
2 Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital,
Taichung 404327, Taiwan
3 Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical
University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
4 Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Science and Chinese Medicine Resources, College of
Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
5 UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK
6 Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
7 School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University,
Taichung 404328, Taiwan
8 Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404327,
Taiwan
* E-mail: hungrongyen@mail.cmu.edu.tw

Abstract
With the widespread use of electronic devices, concerns about blue light-induced retinal
injury have grown considerably. Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook (DF; Orchidaceae), a medicinal
orchid species, contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and
immunomodulatory activities that may protect the retina. This study evaluated the protective
efficacy of an water extract of DF stems (DFE) using both cellular and animal models. ARPE-
19 cells were pretreated with DFE prior to blue light exposure, followed by apoptosis
assessment using Annexin V assays and quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via
ELISA. BALB/c mice subjected to blue light injury were treated with DFE, with the retinal
thickness assessed histologically and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6, TNF-α)
measured in lymphocytes. DFE pretreatment significantly reduced apoptosis and ROS
production in ARPE-19 cells in vitro. DFE preserved retinal layer thickness and attenuated IL-
6 and TNF-α expression, with histological analysis confirming retinal structural protection.
DFE alone preserved retinal integrity compared with untreated, and its combination with lutein
provided enhanced protective effects, suggesting potential synergy. Collectively, DFE protects
against blue light-induced retinal damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and
structural injury. These findings highlight DFE as a promising natural adjunct treatment for
ocular health maintenance in the digital era.

Keywords: Blue light; Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook; Retinal pigment epithelial cell;
Antioxidative; Anti-inflammation