Water decoction of zhi zi had in vitro inhibitory effect on bacilius diphtheriae, staphylococcus aureus, typhoid bacillus, bacillus paratyphosus, hemolytic streptococcus A and B, diplococcus pneumoniae and meningococcus, etc.. It could also antagonize leptospira and schistosome.

Duodenol administration of genipin at the dosage of 75mg/kg to rats with pylorus ligation could reduce the seretions of gastric juice and lower the total acidity. Intravenous injection of geniposide and genipin could inhibit spontaneous stomach peristalsis and stomach contraction induced by pilocarpine in rats. Alcohol extract of zhi zi at low dosages could excite the small intestinal movement of rats and rabbits, at high dosages, it showed inhibitory effect.

zhi zi had cholagogic effect. Its alcohol extract and ingredients such as genipin could increase the bile volume. zhi zi decoction could promote the discharge of bile. Water and alcohol extracturm of zhi zi could decrease the blood bilirubin content in rabbits with common bile duct ligation.

Alcohol extract of zhi zi had sedative and anti-febrile effects. Water extract of zhi zi, geniposide and genipin had analgesic effect.

zhi zi decoction or ethanol extract could lower the blood pressure. zhi zi extract could lower myocardial contractive.

zhi zi had inhibitory effect on ehrlich carcinoma.

1. Inhibition of protein kinase C and proto-oncogene expression by crocetin in NIH/3T3 cells.

Crocetin, a carotenoid isolated from the seeds of Gardenia jasminoides, was found to be a potent inhibitor of tumor promotion induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in mouse skin. When mouse fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells were treated with TPA alone, protein kinase C (PKC) translocated from the cytosolic fraction to the particulate fraction. Pretreatment with 60 and 120 microM crocetin for 15 min inhibited the TPA-induced PKC activity in the particulate fraction by 50% and 66%, respectively, but did not affect the level of PKC protein. Crocetin also reduced the level of TPA-stimulated phosphorylation of cellular proteins. Cells pretreated with crocetin (120 microM) had 55% less PKC [3H]phorbol dibutyrate-binding capacity. Suppression of TPA (100 ng/mL)-induced c-jun and c-fos gene expression was also observed in the mouse fibroblast cells pretreated with crocetin (30, 60, and 120 microM). Our results provided a basis for understanding the inhibitory effect of crocetin on TPA-mediated tumor promotion.

--Wang CJ, Cheng TC, Liu JY, Chou FP, Kuo ML, Lin JK. Mol Carcinog. 1996 Dec;17(4):235-40.

2. Inhibitory effect of crocetin on benzo(a)pyrene genotoxicity and neoplastic transformation in C3H10T1/2 cells.

Crocetin is a major component in the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, a Chinese herbal medicine. In the work, we investigate the protective action and mechanism against benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-induced genotoxicity and neoplastic transformation with a non-toxic dose of crocetin (0.01-0.10 mM) for 1 hour prior to the administration of 0.1 mM B(a)P. B(a)P genotoxicity was inhibited significantly by crocetin in a dose responsive manner. Pretreating C3H10T1/2 cells with crocetin (0.1 mM) also caused a decrease in the covalent binding of B(a)P-diol-epoxide to DNA, to about half that of cells without crocetin treatment. Crocetin also inhibited B(a)P-induced transformations. When the culture was treated with crocetin (0.01, 0.05 and 0.10 mM) for 7 days, the transformation frequencies were lower than that of the culture without crocetin treatment. Furthermore, pretreating cells with crocetin (0.01-0.10 mM) also caused an increase in the activity of GSH S-transferase (GST) to 18-71% that of the cells without crocetin treatment. These results suggest that the inhibition by crocetin of B(a)P-induced genotoxicity and neoplastic transformation in C3H10T1/2 cells is due to a mechanism that increases the activity of GST and decreases the formation of a B(a)P-DNA adduct.

--Chang WC, Lin YL, Lee MJ, Shiow SJ, Wang CJ. Anticancer Res. 1996 Nov-Dec;16(6B):3603-8.

19 cases of acute hepatitis with jaundice were treated with zhi zi decoction, 7 were cured, 10 basically cured after 30 day's hospitalization averagely.

zhi zi, tao ren, 12g each and honey 30g were mixed as paste to be applied to the precordial region. Change the dressing once daily for two days, then once every 7 days, 6 times as a course of treatment. 50 cases of coronary heart disease were treated, and 44 improved.

sheng zhi zi was grouned into fine powder and mixed with water and alcohol to make paste which could be applied to the affected areas of sprain, change the dressing every 2~5 days. 407 cases of sprain were treated, and the pain disappeared after 30 hours averagely, swelling diminished after averagely 2.5 days, hematoma absorbed after 7.8 days, and the limb function restored after 5.1 days averagely.

zhi zi powder for bleeding of the upper digestive tract or local area, 3~6g, tid.

Except those noted, all references come from Weng Weiliang, et al., Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998