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Review
. 2022 Jan 14;23(2):902.
doi: 10.3390/ijms23020902.

Novel Findings regarding the Bioactivity of the Natural Blue Pigment Genipin in Human Diseases

Magdalena Bryś  1 , Karina Urbańska  2 , Beata Olas  3
Affiliations
Review

Novel Findings regarding the Bioactivity of the Natural Blue Pigment Genipin in Human Diseases

Magdalena Bryś et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Genipin is an important monoterpene iridoid compound isolated from Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis fruits and from Genipa americana fruits, or genipap. It is a precursor of a blue pigment which may be attractive alternative to existing food dyes and it possesses various potential therapeutic properties such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective activity. Biomedical studies also show that genipin may act as a neuroprotective drug. This review describes new aspects of the bioactivity of genipin against various diseases, as well as its toxicity and industrial applications, and presents its potential mechanism of action.

Keywords: biological activity; blue colorant; genipin; safety.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sources of genipin and the conversion process of gardenia colorants (gardenia yellow and gardenia blue) [1].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Therapeutic potential of genipin for different diseases (modified, [2]).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Selected signaling pathways for genipin (modified, [2,8]).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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