Genipin

Genipin is a compound isolated from Gardenis jasminoides Ellis fruits which acts as a cell permeable inhibitor of UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2). Increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels in pancreatic island cells. Genipin has been shown to induce apoptosis and is a protein cross-linking agent. Genipin, at 5 μM, increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in isolated pancreatic islets chronically exposed to high levels of glucose. Genipin also exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties by inducing apoptosis in FaO rat hepatoma cells and human hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells.