Gardenia jasminoides fruit extract alleviates MC903-induced atopic dermatitis and reduces IL-4/IL-13-induced tight junction disruption and inflammation by regulating the phosphorylation of STAT6.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis polysaccharides improve gut microbiota disorder and glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetic mice.

Genipin ameliorates cholestatic liver injury in Mdr2-/- mice: the role of gut microbiota modulation by its dialdehyde intermediates.

Gardenia jasminoides, a widely distributed resource rich in Crocin, has generated substantial market demand due to its potential value as a saffron substitute. This necessitates the exploration of efficient and sustainable cultivation strategies to obtain target compounds for specific purposes. To enhance cultivation efficiency and secure supply chains, we integrated MaxEnt modeling, spatial interpolation, and geodetector analysis. This framework aimed to predict suitable habitats for G. jasminoides across China, map spatial variation in bioactive compounds including Crocin, Gardenia Yellow, and Geniposide, and identify environmental drivers influencing their distribution. MaxEnt achieved high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.960), identifying Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Guangdong as key high-suitability regions. Precipitation of the driest month and human population density emerged as dominant factors shaping species distribution. Spatial gradients revealed that Crocin and Gardenia Yellow decrease from southwest to northeast, whereas Geniposide exhibits latitudinal differentiation characterized by higher concentrations in northern regions. Geodetector analysis highlighted vegetation type as the primary driver of compound variation, with q values of 0.618 for Crocin, 0.606 for Gardenia Yellow, and 0.639 for Geniposide. These results indicate that the accumulation of target compounds is strictly modulated by ecological niches, where specific vegetation types drive metabolic differentiation through microclimate regulation and interspecific competition. Based on these findings, we advocate for an industry-oriented divergent cultivation strategy. Southwestern China should be prioritized for Crocin-rich germplasm to support the natural pigment industry, whereas northern regions are designated as premium zones for pharmaceutical-grade Geniposide sourcing. Furthermore, recognizing vegetation type as a critical driver facilitates the implementation of targeted habitat management techniques. These findings provide a direct guide for designating priority cultivation zones and optimizing harvest timing to maximize the yield of target compounds for specific industrial uses.

Novel insights into the protective role of crocetin from gardenia jasminoides against mitochondrial hypoxia

Introduction. Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is an evergreen shrub of the Rubiaceae family, naturally growing in China and Japan, and cultivated as an ornamental plant in many regions of the world. This review presents data on the results of studies of the accumulation of biologically active substances in various in vitro cultures, the possibility of inducing their biosynthesis, and the biological activity of substances isolated from Gardenia jasminoides cell cultures. Text. To date, about 162 compounds have been isolated and identified from G. jasminoides , including flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, gardenia yellow pigment, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, organic acids and their derivatives. The most important biologically active constituents of G. jasminoides are iridoid glycosides and yellow pigments – crocin derivatives. The use of plant cell cultures is one of the most promising approaches to obtaining biologically active substances of plant origin, since this method is characterized by less dependence on climatic and environmental factors, provides more precise process control and allows for a shorter production cycle, which contributes to the effective scaling of production. A number of researchers have obtained callus and suspension cultures, as well as shoot and modified root cultures of G. jasminoides . In order to increase the production of the main classes of biologically active substances – iridoid glycosides, polyphenolic compounds and carotenoids in callus, suspension and shoot cultures of G. jasminoides , a number of studies were conducted on the introduction of specific additives into nutrient media. It was shown that G. jasminoides cell cultures have high antioxidant activity due to phenolic compounds such as ferulic and chlorogenic acids. Callus culture extracts showed significantly greater superoxide dismutase activity than leaf extracts. At the same time, only callus culture extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus . Conclusion. A review of the literature data allows us to conclude that in vitro G. jasminoides cultures provide stable and enhanced production of valuable secondary metabolites (iridoid glycosides, polyphenols, carotenoids), exceeding the indicators of intact plants, which opens up prospects for the industrial production of biologically active substances and phytopreparations.

Genipin, one of Gardenia jasminoides' bioactive components, exhibits superior therapeutic efficacy compared to geniposide, though it is present in much lower concentrations. Conventional hydrolysis methods using acids or organic solvents can enhance genipin yield but often raise environmental and safety concerns. This study aimed to increase genipin production through whole-cell bioconversion of geniposide to genipin using lactic acid bacteria (LABs). A total of 191 LAB strains were isolated from kimchi. Levilactobacillus sp. LN180102 showed the highest bioconversion activity, which was up to 40%. Docking analysis and esculin assay confirmed the beta-glucosidase activity. The anti-inflammatory effects of the fermented extract were enhanced by 28.5% in RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. Additionally, Levilactobacillus sp. LN180102 is probiotic-friendly and exhibits a high tolerance for phenol, bile, and acid. In their entirety, these discoveries have the potential to illuminate the ways in which Gardenia jasminoides can be functionally improved through whole-cell bioconversion, thereby enabling individuals to lead healthier lifestyles.

Structural characterization and immunomodulatory activity of a novel pectin polysaccharide extracted from Gardenia jasminoides fruit.

Abstract Experiments were conducted at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of Biology Department, College of Science, Al-Qadisiyah University from October 2024 until May 2025, to study the antibacterial activity of Gardenia jasminoides extracts treated with 2,4-D, BA and Melatonin in vitro. Gardenia jasminoides Ellis relies on Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) such as auxins, cytokinins, and melatonin to improve growth, regeneration, and secondary metabolite production. Auxins like 2,4-D promote callus formation, cytokinins such as BA stimulate shoot development, while melatonin enhances both callus growth and metabolite accumulation through its dual role as a growth regulator and antioxidant. The results demonstrated that alcoholic extract of Gardenia callus at a concentration of 300 mg/ml showed strong antibacterial activity, especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella , with inhibition rates reaching 15% and 15% respectively. These effects were mainly observed when growth regulators (2,4-D: 1and BA:2.5) were added without melatonin . and the callus extract was less effective at lower concentrations (100 and 200 mg/ml), showing little or no inhibition, particularly against E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Overall, the extract was most effective at higher concentrations (300 mg/ml) in calli treated with the highest concentration of growth regulators without the addition of melatonin.

Genipin derivative induced the apoptosis and inhibited the invasion and migration of A549 cancer cells via regulation of EGFR/JAK1/STAT3 signaling.

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of neuronal cells in different brain's regions which leads to cognitive impairment. The disease is characterized by Neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) or the abnormal accumulation of hyper phosphorylated Tau protein inside the neuronal cells. Effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) presents a clinical challenge. Neuroprotection is a promising strategy to prevent disease progression and enhance cognitive function.ObjectivesIn the current study we aim to assess Gardenia Jasminoides extract which contains Geniposide, a known biologically active and a neuroprotective agent, in preventing Tauopathy in an in vitro model of neurotoxicity using Zinc sulfate on human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells.MethodZinc sulfate (100 μM, for 4 hours) was used on neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells to establish an in vitro Neurotoxicity as well as Tauopathy model. Pretreatment with Gardenia Jasminoides extract (100 μM, for 2 hours) showed significant neuroprotective activity. Gardenia Jasminoides extract effectively reversed the cytotoxic effect of Zinc sulfate neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells and significantly enhanced the cell viability.ResultZinc sulfate (100 μM, for 4 hours) was used on neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells to establish an in vitro Neurotoxicity as well as Tauopathy model. Pretreatment with Gardenia Jasminoides extract (100 μM, for 2 hours) showed significant neuroprotective activity. Gardenia Jasminoides extract effectively reversed the cytotoxic effect of Zinc sulfate neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells and significantly enhanced the cell viability. On going work is aiming to investigate the ability of Gardenia Jasminoides extract to decrease the hyper‐phosphorylated Tau protein, as well as reveal the molecular pathway by which Gardenia Jasminoides extract works, by studying different protein kinases such as (PI3K, AKT, mTOR, p‐GSK‐3β, and p‐Tau).ConclusionGardenia Jasminoides extract shows promising neuroprotective potential in an in vitro model of Zinc induced Neurotoxicity as well as Tauopathy.

Enhanced microstructural and metabolic transformations of Gardenia jasminoides ellis via high-humidity hot air impingement blanching: Implications for improved drying rate and product quality

Geniposide induces hepatotoxicity via the bile acid-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and regulation of the FXR/PERK/TXNIP pathway.

Gardenia yellow, an edible pigment derived from Gardenia jasminoides, has wide food applications; however, its safety profile is insufficiently defined. In this study, we characterized the composition of gardenia yellow and simulated its gastrointestinal digestion, absorption, and metabolism using an in vitro gastrointestinal model. Its hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were assessed using the HepaRG and RPTEC/TERT1 cell lines via cellular viability, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction assays. Its lowest effective concentration (LEC), determined after 14 days of repeated exposure, was used to estimate its oral equivalent dose (OED) via the in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) method. Crocin, the primary bioactive component of gardenia yellow (44.96%), exhibited 4.68 ± 1.00% oral bioavailability and was biotransformed to crocetin (30.47 ± 1.95%) in the colon. Crocetin induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatic and renal cells. The predicted oral equivalent dose for gardenia yellow (1.43 g/(kg·bw·day)) exceeded the typical Chinese dietary exposure, indicating a favorable safety margin.

Genipin, a natural compound derived from Gardenia jasminoides, is widely used as an inhibitor of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), a protein located in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) that plays a crucial role in regulating oxidative stress and cellular metabolism. Pharmacological inhibition of UCP2 has been explored as a strategy to modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory responses. However, the utility of genipin is limited by its relatively low bioavailability and dose-dependent toxicity. To address these limitations, we developed mito-genipin, a mitochondria-targeted genipin derivative incorporating a triphenylphosphonium (TPP+) moiety, designed to enhance mitochondrial accumulation and thereby increase efficacy. In macrophages, mito-genipin induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization, elevated ROS production, and amplified pro-inflammatory cytokine expression compared with control or genipin treatment. In cells lacking UCP2, mito-genipin did not enhance ROS production. Our data identify mito-genipin as an effective modulator of oxidative stress and inflammation, supporting a putative link to UCP2 inhibition and highlighting potential implications in redox biology and immunomodulation.

In the context of urban renewal, rooftop greening in old buildings plays a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and supporting carbon neutrality goals. This study evaluates the carbon capture capacity (TCO2) and efficiency (ηCO2) of rooftop greening under load constraints by developing standardised greening units and mathematical models to quantify CO2 absorption and self-weight load. Rooftop carbon capture performance is assessed by comparing the quantified TCO2 of each unit with the theoretical maximum and calculating overall ηCO2. Three representative species—Hibiscus mutabilis, Prunus cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’, and Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans—were examined. In single-planting mode, ηCO2 was approximately 14% with no significant differences among groups, though TCO2 varied considerably, ranging from 6061.32 g·d−1 for Hibiscus mutabilis to 1515.52 g·d−1 for Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans. In mixed planting, ηCO2 showed greater fluctuation, with species combinations of similar TCO2 enhancing efficiency. Findings demonstrate that rooftop greening can effectively expand urban green spaces, improve species diversity, and promote ecological balance, while providing a systematic evaluation framework for low-carbon renovation strategies in urban renewal.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (GJE) is an important traditional Chinese medicine. While previous studies have examined the individual aspects of GJE quality, comprehensive multicomponent chemical profiling integrated with geographical analysis has not been reported. This study aimed to establish a ultrafast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method combined with principal component analysis (PCA) for the determination of multiple bioactive compounds in GJE, and to investigate quality variations across different regions. Eighteen batches of GJE samples were collected from various regions. The samples were analyzed using ultrafast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, recovery, detection and quantification limits, and stability. PCA was used to evaluate regional differences in the composition of the GJE. The developed method enabled the simultaneous determination of 21 target compounds in GJE samples. Significant differences in the composition of the GJE were observed among different regions. The content of total iridoid glycosides ranged from 63.727 to 107.870 mg/g, total flavonoids ranged from 0.597 to 1.412 mg/g, and total phenolic acids ranged from 0.982 to 3.288 mg/g. GJE from Jurong city, Jiangsu province, exhibited higher levels of the target constituents and was selected for subsequent experiments. PCA confirmed significant regional differences in the chemical composition of GJE (P < .05). This study establishes a reliable analytical method for the comprehensive evaluation of GJE quality and regional variation. The findings reveal that geographical origin significantly influences the chemical composition of the GJE. The multicomponent approach provides a more comprehensive quality assessment method than single-marker analysis, offering a practical reference for GJE quality standardization, cultivation site selection, and harvest timing optimization in the traditional Chinese medicine industry.

BackgroundGeniposide (GP), which is extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Gardenia jasminoides, has extensive pharmacological effects. Recently, studies have shown its protective effects on kidney diseases. However, whether GP can alleviate unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal interstitial fibrosis is unknown. In addition, its potential protective mechanism against kidney fibrosis is worthy of further study. We investigated the effect of GP on renal interstitial fibrosis induced by UUO in vivo and on HK-2 cells treated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in vitro and explored the underlying mechanisms involved.Materials and methodsA UUO model was constructed, and the mice were treated with GP (50 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. The kidney injury score was used to evaluate the degree of kidney injury based on HE staining, and Masson staining and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate kidney fibrosis. High-throughput sequencing analysis of animal samples was subsequently conducted, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional and pathway enrichment analyses were subsequently performed to determine the possible mechanism, which were subsequently validated in vitro and in vivo. Western blotting was used to detect the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/hexokinase 2 (HK2) pathway, and molecular docking analysis was used to evaluate the binding ability of GP and STAT3. STAT3 was also overexpressed in HK-2 cells.ResultsGP alleviated renal fibrosis, regulated the glycolysis-related protein HK2 and inhibited glycolysis by binding to STAT3. In vitro experiments revealed that GP regulated glycolysis-related proteins and prevented cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during TGF-β1 treatment in HK-2 cells. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of STAT3 was drastically reduced in response to GP stimulation, leading to attenuated STAT3 nuclear translocation. Molecular docking analysis revealed a stable conformation between GP and STAT3 at Tyr705. The effects of GP were blocked by overexpression of STAT3.ConclusionOur results showed that GP protected against renal fibrosis, possibly through inhibiting STAT3/HK2 signaling-mediated glucose metabolism in UUO mouse kidneys.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-025-05102-7.

The selective and sensitive detection of Fe3+ is of significant importance in environmental monitoring and biomedical applications due to its vital yet potentially toxic roles in biological systems. Herein, we report a fluorescent sensing platform based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) synthesized from Gardenia jasminoides via a facile, eco-friendly hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized CQDs feature an average particle size of 2.76 nm, strong blue fluorescence with an emission peak at 435 nm, and a moderate quantum yield of 13.7%. Notably, the CQDs exhibit excellent selectivity and sensitivity for Fe3+, along with robust stability over a broad pH range (2-10), under high ionic strength, in the presence of H2O2, and upon prolonged oxidative stress. Cytotoxicity assays reveal concentration-dependent behavior: high biosafety up to 500 μg/mL, yet significant antiproliferative activity against tumor cells above this threshold. Cellular imaging of A549 cells shows strong, dose-dependent cytoplasmic fluorescence at 1000 and 2000 μg/mL. These combined properties establish the Gardenia-derived CQDs as promising candidates for trace Fe3+ detection and high-contrast bioimaging.

The aroma characteristics of flowers and leaves from G. jasminoides were comprehensively explored using HS-GC-MS technology, coupled to relative odour activity value (rOAV) determination and PCA analysis. A total of 116 volatiles were identified in G. jasminoides, with 71 common volatiles detected in both the leaves (GJ-L) and flowers (GJ-F). Alkenes were found to be the most abundant volatiles in both samples, both in terms of quantity and relative abundance. Notably, 2,3-butanedione (rOAV = 100) was identified as the key contributor to buttery aroma in GJ-F, while 3-methylbutanal (rOAV = 100) was the principal contributor to fruity odour in GJ-L. PCA further revealed significant differences in the aroma characteristics between GJ-F and GJ-L. This study enhances our understanding of the volatile compositions and odour characteristics of different parts (flowers and leaves) of G. jasminoides, providing a theoretical basis for the development and utilisation of products derived from G. jasminoides.