Genipin

Genipin is the active compound found in the gardenia fruit extract, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Research conducted at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School indicated that the chemical is indeed effective.

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Genipin is an aglycone derived from an iridoid glycoside called geniposide present in fruit of Gardenia jasmindides Ellis. Genipin is an excellent natural cross-linker for proteins, collagen, gelatin, and chitosan cross-linking. It has a low acute toxicity, with LD₅₀ i.v. 382 mg/kg in mice, therefore, much less toxic than glutaraldehyde and many other commonly used synthetic cross-linking regents. It is also used for pharmaceutical purposes, such as choleretic action for liver diseases control.