Research Studies on Mangosteen

Mangosteen and its Xanthones have more unbiased, independent research and scientific studies than any other botanical in history, and are considered by some experts to be one of the most important discoveries in the health and wellness industry.

Modern science, anecdotal and clinical experience, and folk medicine now agree on the beneficial uses of Mangosteen.

Through many Mangosteen research studies, scientists proved that this amazing fruit is helpful in preventing and possibly stopping a wide range of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, arhtritis and other chronic diseases.

Here's a sampling of the scientific studies on Mangosteen.

Research on Mangosteen and Cancer

Scientists in Taipei, Republic of China, suggested that the Mangosteen Xanthone derivative garcinone E has potential for use in treating certain types of cancer, after demonstrating that garcinone E has potent cytotoxic effects on liver, gastric and lung cancer cells.

Japanese scientists demonstrated that six Xanthones from the pericarps of Mangosteen all displayed growth inhibitory effects on human leukemia cell lines.

In a more recent study, the same group of Japanese scientists found that alpha-mangostin would be a good candidate for the prevention and treament of cancer.

In another study, Mangosteen researchers in Taiwan, Republic of China, found Xanthones as potential drugs for cancer after demonstrating them to be potent anti-tumor agents.

In Thailand, scientists also found that an extract from the pericarp or rind of the Mangosteen has potential for cancer chemo-prevention.

In Japan, scientists at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa found that alpha-mangostin, a major Xanthone derivative from the Mangosteen, has potent chemopreventive effects and suggested that longer exposure to alpha-mangostin might help suppress the development of tumors.

Microbes and Mangosteen Research

Sri Lankan scientists extracted Xanthones from the root bark, stem bark and latex or skin of Mangosteen and found that the latex of Mangosteen contains more than 75% of Xanthones that have strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and other biological properties.

They concluded that these highly bioactive compounds are the reason for Garcinia Mangostana's (Mangosteen) medicinal value in indigenous medicine.

Japanese researchers found that alpha-mangostin from Mangosteen showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), the "superbug" with strains that have become resistant to many commonly-used antibiotics such as penicillin, flucloxacillin, oxacillin and even vancomycin. The scientists suggested that alpha-mangostin might find wide pharmaceutical use.

A more recent Mangosteen research study by Thai scientists on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus showed that Mangosteen was one of the most effective medicinal plant extracts against this bacterium.

Staphylococcus aureus can cause serious and life-threatening diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia and septicimia.

Mangosteen researchers in Thailand also studied the antimycobacterial activity of alpha-mangostin, beta-mangostin and garcinone B and found that they possess strong inhibitory effects against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Researchers in Singapore investigated the effects of Mangosteen's Xanthones on the HIV-1 virus and found that two Mangosteen Xanthones, mangostin and gamma-mangostin, demonstrated the ability to inhibit the activity of the HIV-1 protease that causes the virus to be incapable of infection.

Studies on Mangosteen and LDL

Australian scientists studied the antioxidant effects of the Xanthone, mangostin, and found that it protects the LDL from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. This helps prevent the formation of plaques that clog arteries and leads to heart disease.

The Mangosteen Fruit as Anti-Inflammatory

Japanese scientists at the Tohoku University found that gamma-mangostin, a Mangosteen Xanthone derivative, has potent anti-inflammatory effects on the brain's structural cells and suggested that it has the potential in helping with inflammatory conditions of the brain (for example, Alzheimer's disease).

The scientists proved that gamma-mangostin inhibited the activities of COX-2, an enzyme that plays a major role in the development of inflammatory conditions.

In a follow-up Mangosteen research study performed by the Japanese researchers from Tohoku University, the scientists suggested that gamma-mangostin would be a new useful lead compound for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Research on Mangosteen and the Central Nervous System

In a study, Japanese scientists found that gamma-mangostin is a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist in the central nervous system, which indicates its potential in helping with depression and other anxiety states.

Studies on Skin Infections

Mangosteen researchers in Thailand studied various medicinal plants on their ability to inhibit the growth of acne-inducing bacteria, and found that Mangosteen had the greatest antimicrobial effect.

Their research's results indicated that Garcinia Mangostana (Mangosteen) possesses a strong inhibitory effect on Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and noted that Mangosteen would be an interesting possibility as an alternative treatment for acne.


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