Dendrobium oligosaccharide defines China's anti-aging ingredient.

On May 6, the National Medical Products Administration announced the filing of a new cosmetic ingredient—Dendrobium officinale oligosaccharide (filing number: Guo Zhuang Yuan Bei Zi 20260074), independently developed by Beijing DR PLANT Biological Technology Co., Ltd. This marks a new milestone for Chinese skincare brands in the field of core ingredient R&D, carving out a name for a domestic brand in the high-end ingredient sector long dominated by international giants.

**Decoding the "Immortal Herb": What Is Dendrobium officinale Oligosaccharide?**

Dendrobium, listed in the *Chinese Pharmacopoeia*, has been revered as "gold among medicines" since ancient times. However, its core active component, dendrobium polysaccharides, has an extremely large molecular weight, resulting in limited transdermal absorption efficiency—while the herb is potent, the skin struggles to "absorb" it.

As a pioneering brand in alpine plant skincare, DR PLANT has spent over a decade researching dendrobium. From its inception, the brand has focused on "alpine plants, pure beauty," targeting Dendrobium officinale, a rare traditional herb listed in the *Chinese Pharmacopoeia* and hailed as the "foremost of China's nine immortal herbs," as its core research direction.

In traditional skincare applications, dendrobium polysaccharides faced challenges due to their large molecular size and poor skin penetration. To tackle this, in 2014, DR PLANT took its first step by partnering with the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, to establish the "KIB-DR PLANT R&D Center," systematically analyzing dendrobium's active components at the source. In 2024, the brand collaborated with Jiangnan University to create the "China Cosmetic Ingredient R&D Base," focusing on oligosaccharide research, encapsulation technology, and efficacy enhancement.

After over 1,000 experiments, DR PLANT's team successfully developed a targeted bio-efficacy preparation system, using patented enzymatic hydrolysis to precisely convert large polysaccharides into small oligosaccharides, solving the industry-wide challenge of plant-derived active transdermal absorption.

In the labs of the Kunming Institute of Botany, researchers first remove leaves from freshly picked dendrobium, cut it into sections, and process it into freeze-dried powder through drying and lyophilization. The powder then undergoes reflux extraction, multi-layer filtration, enzymatic hydrolysis, and final purification to yield precious dendrobium oligosaccharides.

Technically, this involves molecular-level "refining" of polysaccharides into active components. Using patented enzymatic hydrolysis, the team employs a precise molecular "scissor" to break large polysaccharides into smaller, more refined oligosaccharide fragments—a targeted molecular transformation, not physical grinding. The resulting Dendrobium officinale oligosaccharides retain the core activity of polysaccharides while gaining superior skin penetration, enabling deep delivery for firming and hydration. Lab data show these oligosaccharides penetrate the skin and stimulate collagen production.

This innovation has earned Chinese and European patents, securing global intellectual property protection and breaking foreign monopolies in high-end anti-aging ingredients.

The core value lies in precise intervention in skin aging mechanisms. Modern dermatology confirms aging stems from collagen loss, leading to sagging and wrinkles. Research proves Dendrobium officinale oligosaccharides effectively boost fibroblast collagen secretion, combating aging at its root—validating ancient records of its "anti-aging" properties in Song Dynasty texts like *Taiping惠民和剂局方*.

In 2025, the "Dendrobium Oligosaccharide Anti-Aging Research" project, led by Yunnan Agricultural University with DR PLANT's participation, won Yunnan Province's Special Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress. This award, alongside the NMPA filing, provides dual national endorsements for the ingredient's efficacy and safety.

**Defining "China Ingredients": Showcasing Eastern Scientific Power**

Historically, global chemical giants controlled high-end cosmetic ingredients, relegating Chinese brands to "formulators" rather than "innovators." The filing of Dendrobium officinale oligosaccharides disrupts this dynamic. It’s not a copy but an original innovation—from germplasm resources to patents, production to certification, fully independent.

Twelve years of research have borne fruit. From Yunnan’s mountains to NMPA filings, from CAS labs to European patents, this journey mirrors Chinese skincare brands' rise from followers to leaders. As "China ingredients" speak through patents and data, a new coordinate emerges on the global skincare technology map.

*(Source: Rizhao News. This article is reposted to provide readers with more information. The content does not constitute investment or consumption advice. For factual inquiries, please verify with relevant parties or contact us. The views expressed are not necessarily those of this platform and are for reference only.)*