Kinase experiment:

Briefly, the peptide substrate N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-ρ-nitroanilide (Ac-DEVD-ρNA) is added to the cell lysates in assay buffer (50 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 100 mM NaCl, 0.1% CHAPS, 10 mM dithiothreitol, 1 mM EDTA, 10% glycerol) and incubated at 37℃. The cleavage of the substrate is monitored at 405 nm.

IC50: 88.41 M for hepatitis C virus

Genipin, a compound derived from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruits, has been used over the years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

In vitro: Previous study indicated genipin could stimulate the glucose uptake in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Genipin promoted glucose transporter 4 translocation to the cell surface in myotubes. Moreover, in the cytoplasm in C2C12 myotubes, genipin increased ATP levels, then shut down KATP channels, and finally increased the calcium concentration. In addition, genipin-stimulated glucose uptake could be blocked by wortmannin and calcium chelator EGTA, two PI3-K inhibitors. Furthermore, in C2C12 myotubes, genipin increased the level of reactive oxygen species and ATP [1].

In vivo: In rat liver after infusion of genipin, the biliary secretion of Mrp2 substrates, the subcellular localization, and mRNA level of Mrp2 were assessed. Results showed that in the CMVs, genipin treatment increased the protein mass of Mrp2 but not the mRNA level. Such effects were not observed in Mrp2-deficient rats. In addition, a marked increase in Mrp2 density in the canalicular membrane and microvilli was observed in the genipin-treated liver tissue sections [2].

Clinical trial: N/A

References:
[1] Ma CJ,Nie AF,Zhang ZJ,Zhang ZG,Du L,Li XY,Ning G.  Genipin stimulates glucose transport in C2C12 myotubes via an IRS-1 and calcium-dependent mechanism. J Endocrinol.2013 Feb 25;216(3):353-62.
[2] Shoda J,Miura T,Utsunomiya H,Oda K,Yamamoto M,Kano M,Ikegami T,Tanaka N,Akita H,Ito K,Suzuki H,Sugiyama Y.  Genipin enhances Mrp2 (Abcc2)-mediated bile formation and organic anion transport in rat liver. Hepatology.2004 Jan;39(1):167-78.