GEP-1

GEP-1 is a research designation used for two distinct biological substances identified in natural product research. Most commonly, it refers to a water-soluble polysaccharide isolated from the rhizome of *Gastrodia elata* Blume (Tianma). This polysaccharide is primarily an α-(1→4)-glucan composed of glucose units, with reported molecular weights ranging from approximately 3.7 kDa to 76 kDa. It exhibits neuroprotective effects against heavy metal-induced oxidative stress, immunomodulatory activity via the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and prebiotic potential by modulating gut microbiota. Separately, GEP-1 also refers to a cyclic peptide [cyclic-(Trp-Leu-His-Val)] isolated from *Gelsemium elegans*. This peptide has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in cervical carcinoma models by inducing apoptosis through both intrinsic (mitochondrial) and extrinsic (Fas/FADD-mediated) pathways.

Other names

Gastrodia elata polysaccharide 1Gelsemium elegans cyclic peptide 1cyclic-(Trp-Leu-His-Val)-peptide