Teprenone (Geranylgeranylacetone) is a anti-ulcer drug, and works as an inducer of heat shock proteins (HSPs).

Teprenone, known as Geranylgeranylacetone, is an inducer of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) and, at a concentration of 1 μM, notably mitigates ethanol-induced exfoliation and lowers lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in gastric mucosal cells. This compound elevates the HSC70 level over time and rapidly boosts stress-inducible HSP90, HSP70, and HSP60 concentrations within 30-60 minutes, also activating heat shock factor 1. At dosages ranging from 0 to 20 µM, Teprenone marginally increases the viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) post-irradiation (IR), and while 10 µM of Teprenone does not affect HUVEC migration and invasion, it notably promotes HUVEC tube formation and wound healing, with or without IR exposure. Furthermore, at this concentration, Teprenone fosters angiogenesis by inducing VEGF and eNOS expression in HUVECs.

Teprenone (200 mg/kg, p.o.) upregulates HSP70 mRNA in rats, a process amplified by mucosal stress in Teprenone-pretreated versus vehicle-pretreated rats. It significantly reduces stress-induced ulcer formation after 2 and 4 hours in rats[1]. Teprenone also enhances HSP72 expression, mitigates RGC loss, optic nerve damage, and apoptosis, and boosts HSP72 levels in a rat glaucoma model[2]. Additionally, Teprenone protects against radiation-induced intestinal injury in mice.