The Flower That Fights Disease: Gardenia's Hidden Power
Story at-a-glance
- Genipin, derived from gardenia plants, restores nerve development, and reduces neurodegeneration in patients with familial dysautonomia, a rare genetic disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system
- Originally discovered as a blue dye source in the 1980s, genipin has evolved from a food science application to a therapeutic compound with several medical applications
- Genipin works by interacting with the extracellular matrix and reorganizing cellular structure, promoting nerve repair and axon regeneration in both the peripheral and central nervous systems
- Studies show genipin protects against diabetic retinopathy by controlling advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and reducing oxidative stress, which helps prevent vision loss in diabetic patients
- In neuroblastoma research, genipin demonstrates significant anticancer properties by triggering cell death and effectively suppressing tumor growth without toxic side effects
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