Effects of genipin on growth and gene expression.

• Main Author: Loh, Wei Li.
• Other Authors: Wang Dongan
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Medicine::Pharmacy
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/40001
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Since its discovery, many applications have been found for a chemical extract called genipin. Currently, genipin’s properties as an excellent non-toxic chemical cross-linker have been the focus of much scientific inquiry. Nonetheless, in our work with genipin, this compound was found to exert significant cytotoxic effect on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), chondrocytes (CCs) and osteoblasts (OBs). In this project, the cytotoxicity of genipin has been investigated. We found that the toxic effects of genipin are very much dependent on the 1) concentration of genipin, 2) the type of cell exposed to genipin, and 3) the length of exposure to genipin. The critical concentration that causes a significant cytotoxic reaction in MSCs and CCs are 0.1%, while in OBs, the critical genipin concentration is 0.01%. Cells began reacting negatively to the minimum toxic genipin concentration after a minimum of 6 hours as shown by an annexin v and propidium iodide apoptosis assay. Thus, effects on cell viability after prolonged exposure beyond 24 hours were negligible based on WST-1 absorbance microplate readings. Gene expression on CCs and OBs were also mostly affected by genipin exposure up to differing levels. Therefore, proper care needs to be exercised when intending to use genipin as an ingredient in any medicinal or biomedical applications since it does possess significant positive properties if used at the right concentrations.