Geniposide, a key component extracted from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, is a major iridoid glycoside considered to be responsible for various biological effects of the herbs, and its aglycon is genipin. Gardenia is a widely used Chinese herb for the treatment of hepatic disease, inflammation disorders, contusions and brain disorders. Increasing studies have focused on the neuroprotective effect of geniposide in brain diseases, especially neurodegenerative disorders. Its protective effect from memory impairment and the normalization of objection recognition has been shown in animal behavioral experiments. Using a high-throughput screen for GLP-1R agonists, geniposide was identified as an agonist for GLP-1R. It has been shown that the activation of GLP-1R by geniposide induces neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects in cells. Geniposide exerted anti-inflammatory effects by interfering with the expression of P2Y14 receptor, which subsequently inhibits the downstream ERK1/2 signaling pathways and the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, MCP-1, IL-1β.

Geosmin is a germacranoid sesquiterpene or a trans-1,10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol. Geosmin, an earthy-smelling substance, has been isolated from several actinomycetes. Geosmin is a naturally occurring biomolecule that contributes to the earthy or musty flavor and odor in water supplies. This water contaminant can be detected by humans at ng/l (parts per trillion) concentrations. Geosmin is used to confer an earthy scent to perfumes.