The fruit of a flower may be the basis for a new drug therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Researchers reporting in this month's issue of Cell Metabolism describe their success in using a Gardenia fruit extract to stimulate secretion of insulin from the pancreas of mice.
Gardenia is an evergreen shrub, many species of which are native to Asia and Africa. The flower produces a large, berry-like fruit that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
For the article in Cell Metabolism (abstract only):
Genipin inhibits UCP2-mediated proton leak and acutely reverses obesity- and high glucose-induced β cell dysfunction in isolated pancreatic islets
For a summary of the research:
Gardenia Fruit Compound Starting Point For Diabetes Therapy
