Mangosteen Juice - Mangosteen, the Queen
of fruits.
Other common name(s): , mangostin,
mangostene, mangostean, mangostan, queen of fruits
Scientific/medical name(s): Garcinia
mangostana
Description Mangosteen is a tropical
fruit native to Southeast Asia, which is touted for its antioxidants,
especially xanthones (a type of chemical in certain plants.) Its fruit,
including the rind and pulp, can be pureed together and sold as a drink.
Its rind may be dried and powdered, and substances are also extracted
from its bark.
Despite the name, this tree is not
related to the mango. Overview Although there is no evidence that
mangosteen juice, puree, or bark is effective as a treatment for cancer,
its fruit has been shown to be rich in antioxidants. Very early studies
in the lab suggest that it may have promise as a treatment to be applied
to the skin for acne. Early small studies in the lab and on rats suggest
that further research should be done to find out if it can help with
cancer prevention in humans.
How is it promoted for use? In the United
States, it is taken by mouth supposedly to support microbiological
balance, help the immune system, improve joint flexibility, and provide
mental support. Some proponents claim that it can help diarrhoea,
infections, tuberculosis, and a host of other illnesses. In countries
where the tree grows, various parts of the plant are used by native
healers.
What does it involve? The juice or puree
is eaten or drunk. In Asia and the Philippines, the rind may be steeped
in water to make tea. Some folk healers prepare an ointment or salve to
apply to the skin for conditions such as eczema, injuries, and
infections. Others boil the leaves and bark of the tree to make a
medicinal drink or to mix with other herbs to apply to wounds. The roots
may be boiled to make a drink for women with menstrual problems. What is
the history behind it? Parts of the mangosteen tree, including the fruit
and bark, have been used in folk medicine in Asian countries for many
years.
Mangostin was identified as a xanthone in
mangosteen in the mid-1800s and found to have anti-inflammatory effects
in rats in the late 1970s. Today, mangosteen is sold in the United
States mainly through a network marketing system. Independent
distributors, rather than stores, buy and sell mangosteen juice. What is
the evidence? Like many other plants, extracts of mangosteen have shown
in lab tests that they can stop certain bacteria and fungi from growing.
One lab study suggested that mangosteen extract inhibits the growth of
acne-causing bacteria. It has not been tested on people to find out if
it helps acne in humans. In a lab dish, it also showed activity that
slowed the growth of certain cancer cells. A small study on cancer
inhibition in rats suggested that the rind of the mangosteen may reduce
the risk of cancer cell growth in the bowel.
However, mangosteen's cancer inhibitory
effect has not been tested in humans. Are there any possible problems or
complications? No ill effects have been reported to date. Relying on
this type of treatment alone, and avoiding conventional medical care,
may have serious health consequences.
Xanthones
- Nature's Super Antioxidant.
Xanthones are a class of plant derived nutrients or "phytonutrients." They have been demonstrated in numerous scientific studies to hold tremendous nutritional value. Found to exhibit strong antioxidant activity, xanthones disarm free radicals in the body and enhance and support your body's immune system. Although xanthones exist in very small amounts throughout nature, they are found in great abundance in the Pericarp (rind) of the mangosteen fruit.
Nature has over 200 xanthones with unique chemical accessories that permit each xanthone to perform a specific biological function. For example, alpha-mangostin serves as an anti-oxidant, gamma-mangostin as an anti-inflammatory and Garcinone E as an anti-tumor agent. Each of these xanthones contains the same backbone but they also possess unique chemical accessories known as sidechains.
To date, about 40 xanthones have been found in the mangosteen and most of these are in abundance in the paricarp. No other plant has the variety or quantity of xanthones as the mangosteen. Several of the xanthones in the mangosteen have been shown to possess antioxidative properties several times more powerful than vitamin C or E. In fact, exhaustive research regarding the benefits of the xanthone-rich mangosteen has been conducted and reported in such renowned and influential scientific journals as the Journal of Pharmacology, Biochemical Pharmacology, Free Radical Research, Phytochemistry, the Journal of Enzyme Inhibitors, Environmental Health Perspectives, and many others.
If xanthones from mangosteen are so powerful, why haven't I heard about them?
The people of Southeast Asia are very familiar with the prized mangosteen fruit and Asian Health Practitioners have long made use of its Pericarp for a myriad of nutritional uses. The mangosteen, however, has never been introduced to the Western world and much of the science behind xanthones is predominantly available to those in the medical community until recently. Many of the clinical studies on xanthones have been done in universities and testing facilities throughout Asia and have recently started to catch the attention of Western researchers.
Does the world need another phytonutrient?
Absolutely! The science of nutritional supplements is still very young. New studies are constantly being released leading us to better solutions to today's health concerns. More and more science continues to surface about xanthones and their incredible benefits to the human body and their ability to support a wide variety of health concerns.
Xanthones represent the very latest that nutritional science has to offer. Much more than a great antioxidant, xanthones are a class of multi-functional phytonutrients poised to raise the bar in the nutritional arena! At XanGo we've not only launched a category creator, we are the next generation of supplementation.
I eat a balanced diet. Am I getting xanthones from my food?
No. The xanthone family of phytonutrients can be found in trace amounts in certain fruits and vegetables, however, the pericarp of the mangosteen is the premier source where these nutrients are found in concentrated amounts. Most scientific studies actually name the mangosteen pericarp as the quintessential source of xanthones.
What are some of the studied benefits of xanthones?
Studies have demonstrated that xanthones have the ability to offer support in the following areas:
Cholesterol concerns 1,2
Inflammation/pain response/Cox 2 inhibition 3
Skin conditions 4
Microbiological balance 5
Allergy support 6
Immune system support 7
1. Free Radic Res 2000 Nov;33(5):643-59. 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.
2. Williams P, Ongsakul M, Proudfoot J, Croft K, Beilin L. 1994. Mangostin inhibits the oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein. Free Rad Res. 23:175-184.
3. Biochem Pharmacol 2002 Jan 1;63(1):73-9. 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.
4. Farnsworth N. 1992. Thai Medicinal Plants. Bangkok, Thailand: Medicinal Plant Information Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University.
5. Planta Med 1983 May;48(1):59-60. Antimicrobial activities of Garcinia mangostana. Sundaram BM, Gopalakrishnan C, Subramanian S, Shankaranarayanan D, Kameswaran L.
6. 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.
7. J Med Assoc Thai 1997 Sep;80 Suppl 1:S149-54. 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.
8. Peres V, Nagem T, Faustino de Oliveira F. 2000. Tetraoxygenated naturally occurring xanthones. Phytochemistry. 55:683-710
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