Gardenia Compound Offers Hope for Rare Genetic Disorder

• Familial dysautonomia disrupts the autonomic nervous system — This system is responsible for functions like breathing and temperature regulation, malfunctions. Caused by a mutation in the ELP1 gene, this disease attacks the very nerve cells essential for sensory perception and involuntary bodily controls.

• Symptoms begin in infancy and worsen over time — Individuals with familial dysautonomia worsen over time, leaving individuals struggling with impaired breathing, pain insensitivity and a host of other neurological challenges.

• No treatments currently exist to reverse familial dysautonomia — This makes the search for effective therapies all the more important, and the research into genipin offers hope.

• Genipin restores nerve development — The researchers discovered that genipin extracted from plants like gardenia had a remarkable ability to restore nerve development. In both patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and in mouse models of FD, genipin improved neural crest and sensory neuron development.

• Genipin protects against neurodegeneration — Sensory neurons derived from FD patients and treated with genipin showed a significant reduction in degeneration. This suggests that genipin may not only aid in the development of healthy neurons but could also play a role in preventing the progression of neurodegenerative processes in those already affected by FD.

• Strengthening the extracellular matrix (ECM) supports nerve function — As for how genipin achieves these therapeutic effects, the study revealed the importance of its cross-linking properties. Importantly, it strengthens the material around cells, called the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is like a net that holds cells in place and helps them work properly. Genipin makes this net stronger by connecting its parts together.

• Genipin stabilizes the actin cytoskeleton — Inside cells, the actin cytoskeleton helps cells keep their shape and move. By changing the way this part works, genipin helps nerve cells stay healthy.

• Activating repair genes and promoting axon regrowth — The study also showed that genipin helps turn on certain genes that help cells grow, survive, and repair damaged tissue. Another important discovery was that genipin helps nerve cells regrow their axons. Axons are long, thread-like parts of nerve cells that send messages through the body.

When nerves are damaged, axons need to grow back for the body to heal. Genipin sped up this regrowth in different types of nerve cells, including those in the brain and nervous system. This means it might be useful for healing many kinds of nerve injuries, not just one specific condition.

• Genipin protects the retina from high-glucose damage — One study discussed in the review found that genipin injected into the eyes of mice with diabetic retinopathy “protects the retina … from high-glucose-induced damage in vivo.”

This suggests genipin helps shield the retina from the harmful effects of high glucose levels, a primary culprit in diabetic retinopathy progression. This protective effect is attributed to genipin’s ability to regulate advanced glycosylation.

• Genipin regulates advanced glycation end products (AGEs) — AGEs are damaging compounds that form when sugar levels are high and react with proteins or fats. In diabetes, elevated glucose levels lead to an overproduction of AGEs, which contribute to the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. By controlling these damaging AGEs, genipin appears to interrupt a key pathological pathway in diabetic retinopathy.

• In vitro studies confirm genipin’s protective effects — Experiments conducted in a laboratory setting (outside of a living organism), demonstrated that genipin could reverse AGE-induced cell proliferation and apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Further, the compound was shown to reduce energy metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammatory damage, all of which are exacerbated by high glucose levels and contribute to diabetic retinopathy.

• Genipin suppresses neuroblastoma cell growth — The study found that genipin hinders the growth of neuroblastoma cells. Genipin treatment led to a significant decrease in the viability of these cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, meaning the higher the concentration of genipin and the longer the exposure, the more effectively it suppressed cancer cell growth.

• Genipin triggers apoptosis, forcing cancer cells to self-destruct — Genipin actively triggers their demise through apoptosis, or programmed cell death, a natural process the body uses to remove damaged, unnecessary, or dysfunctional cells while maintaining tissue health.

In cancer, this process often malfunctions, allowing malignant cells to proliferate uncontrollably. The study demonstrated that genipin markedly upregulated the expression of proteins that promote apoptosis while simultaneously downregulating a protein that inhibits apoptosis.

• Genipin promotes autophagy in neuroblastoma cells — Autophagy is often described as a cellular “self-cleaning” process, where cells break down and recycle their own components. While autophagy sometimes helps cancer cells survive under stress, in this context, genipin-induced autophagy appears to contribute to its anticancer effect.

The study found that genipin treatment increased levels of proteins associated with autophagy, while decreasing levels of a protein that is degraded during autophagy.

• Genipin interferes with molecular pathways that drive tumor growth — To understand the molecular mechanisms behind these anticancer effects, the researchers investigated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. This pathway is known to play a role in cell growth, survival, and proliferation, and is often hyperactive in various cancers, including neuroblastoma.

In the study, genipin administration led to a concentration-dependent decrease in the levels of key proteins involved in this signaling cascade. This indicates that genipin exerts its anticancer effects, at least in part, by suppressing the activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, effectively cutting off the signals that fuel cancer cell growth and survival.

• Animal studies confirm genipin’s anticancer effects — Compared to a control group, mice implanted with neuroblastoma cells and treated with genipin had smaller and lighter tumors. Importantly, these anticancer effects were achieved without toxic side effects in the animals.

• Scientific research continues to uncover genipin’s benefits — While scientific exploration is still ongoing, the evidence to date strongly suggests that incorporating natural compounds like genipin, and embracing holistic wellness practices, could profoundly impact your health journey. To translate this promising science into tangible benefits for your own well-being, adopt a lifestyle that actively nourishes your cells.

• Your body thrives when given the right nutrients — Think of your body as a finely tuned garden; it flourishes when provided with the right conditions and nutrients. Embrace a diet abundant in a diverse array of whole foods — colorful fruits, fragrant herbs, and potent spices.

These natural treasures are brimming with bioactive compounds that work synergistically to bolster your cellular health, fortify your defenses and unlock your body’s innate capacity for healing and regeneration. Read “Why Your Gut Needs Carbs for Optimal Health” to learn more.

• Nourishing your body with nature’s pharmacy is an act of self-care — Nourishing your body from the inside out with nature’s pharmacy is a powerful act of self-care. When your cells are healthy, they’re more resilient and better equipped to respond positively to therapeutic compounds like genipin. Remember, vibrant health is built on a foundation of consistent, healthy choices.