Mangosteen Health Benefits Research

Many of the Mangosteen health benefits are covered in our home page here: Mangosteen Supplements ...

On this page we will elaborate on many of the Mangosteen's health benefits, and cite current Mangosteen research.

Most research on the Mangosteen fruit focuses on the roles of Xanthones - the specific "super-antioxidants" first discovered in the Mangosteen.

The Worldwide research on Xanthones is showing the powerful antioxidant activity of Mangosteen fruit:

 

Mangosteen Research & Cholesterol Issues ...

Inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation by prenylated xanthones derived from mangostin. Mahabusarakam W, Proudfoot J, Taylor W, Croft K. Chemistry Department, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand. Free Radic Res 2000 Nov;33(5):643-59

Oxidative damage is believed to have a major role in cardio-vascular and related chronic diseases. The research team had previously discovered that prenylated xanthone (mangostin - found specifcally in mangosteen fruit), is an inhibiter of oxidation of LDL (low density lipoprotein = bad cholesterol). Further xanthone studies found much enhanced antioxidant activities. Important to note is that if it is possible to stop the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, then it becomes unable to spread's 'bad' effects or cause heart disease.

Mangostin inhibits the oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein. Williams P, Ongsakul M, Proudfoot J, Croft K, Beilin L. University of Western Australia, Department of Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Australia. Free Radic Res. 1995 Aug;23(2):175-84

The oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) may play an important role in atherosclerosis (a disease in which plaque builds up on the insides of the arteries.).
The research team looked at the possible antioxidant effects of mangostin (isolated from Garcinia mangostana) on metal ion dependent (Cu2+) and independent (aqueous peroxyl radicals) oxidation of human LDL (the bad kind of cholesterol). From their results they concluded that mangostin is acting as a free radical scavenger (going around clearing up the free radicals) to protect the LDL from oxidative damage in this in vitro system. Simply put, they concluded that the Xanthones in Mangosteen are a powerful antioxidant.

 

 

Mangosteen Research & Pain Responses & Inflammation & Allergies ...

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by gamma-mangostin, a xanthone derivative in mangosteen, in C6 rat glioma cells. Nakatani K, Nakahata N, Arakawa T, Yasuda H, Ohizumi Y. Department of Pharmaceutical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, 980-8578, Sendai, Japan. Biochem Pharmacol 2002 Jan 1;63(1):73-9

The research team examined the effect of gamma-mangostin. They identified that a Gamma-mangostin concentration showing possible inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX). Further tests showed that gamma-mangostin inhibited the activities of both constitutive COX (COX-1) and inducible COX (COX-2). The COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes are important, as their inhibition acutely reduces inflammations, pains, and fevers.

Inhibitions of histamine release and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by mangosteen, a Thai medicinal plant. Nakatani K, Atsumi M, Arakawa T, Oosawa K, Shimura S, Nakahata N, Ohizumi Y. o Department of Pharmaceutical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Biol Pharm Bull. 2002 Sep;25(9):1137-41

The research team wanted to validate some of the Mangosteen folk remedies. This study was undertaken to look at the effects of mangosteen extracts on histamine release and prostaglandin E2 synthesis. The research team discovered that extract of mangosteen inhibited IgE-mediated histamine release with greater potency than previous drugs used in Japan. The research team results suggested that a 40% ethanol extract of mangosteen has potent inhibitory activities of both histamine release and prostaglandin E2 synthesis.

Novel types of receptor antagonists from the medicinal plant garcinia mangostana. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi. Furukawa K, Chairungsrilerd N, Ohta T, Nozoe S, Ohizumi Y. Department of Pharmaceutical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi. 1997 Oct;110 Suppl 1:153P-158P

The research team, using a Garcina mangostana L extract identified the active ingredients alpha-mangostin and gamma-mangostin. Their results provided evidence that gamma-mangostin is a selective and competitive 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, which would make them effective in fighting allergies and inflammations.

Histaminergic and serotonergic receptor blocking substances from the medicinal plant Garcinia mangostana. Chairungsrilerd N, Furukawa K, Ohta T, Nozoe S, Ohizumi Y. Planta Med. 1996 Oct;62(5):471-2

The research team showed that Mangsteen has the potential to prevent allergies as well as inflamations: "On the basis of pharmacological data, it is suggested that alpha-mangostin and gamma-mangostin are a histaminergic and a serotonergic receptor blocking agent, respectively."

Pharmacological properties of alpha-mangostin, a novel histamine H1 receptor antagonist. Eur J Pharmacol. Chairungsrilerd N, Furukawa K, Ohta T, Nozoe S, Ohizumi Y. Department of Pharmaceutical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. 1996 Oct 31;314(3):351-6.

Research resuts suggested that alpha-mangostin (found specifcially in mangosteen fruit) inhibted histamine binding to its receptors, the conclusion being that alpha-mangostin may be useful in fighting allergies and inflammations.

 

 

Mangosteen Research & Supporting the Immune System ...

Immunopharmacological activity of polysaccharide from the pericarb of mangosteen garcinia: phagocytic intracellular killing activities. Chanarat P, Chanarat N, Fujihara M, Nagumo T. Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. J Med Assoc Thai 1997 Sep;80 Suppl 1:S149-54

Polysaccharides from the pericarps of mangosteen were extracted from the dried ground pericarps of the mangosteen fruit. The research results showed that the bacteria in cultured monocyte with extract of the pericarp of the mangosteen fruit was killed. This paper showed that polysaccharides in the extract can stimulate phagocytic cells to kill intracellular bacteria (Bacteria that grow inside cells, such as Legionella, Mycobacteria, Salmonella, and Listeria). These particular cells are hard to kill but this research shows the potential of Mangosteen to overcome the problem.

 

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