采用测定大鼠胆汁分泌量的实验方法，观察栀子提取物京尼平苷和西红花苷十二指肠给药后的利胆作用。结果显示西红花苷50和 100 mg/kg剂量均不增加大鼠的胆汁流量，而京尼平苷50和 100 mg/kg剂量均可显着增加大鼠胆汁流量，降低胆汁内胆固醇。

Effects of geniposide and crocins，the two extracts from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis，on the biliary secretion in rat were investigated. It was observed that，at the doses of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg.geniposide could significantly increase the biliary secretion after intraduodenal administration. while crocins showed no effect. On the other hand，geniposide can markedly decrease the content of cholesterol and elevate HCO₃concentration in bile, but without effect on the level of bilirubin, bile acid and Ca²⁺. The results show that geniposide is the main choleretic principle in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.