Antiproliferation, antioxidation and induction of apoptosis by Garcinia mangostana ( mangosteen ) on SKBR3 human breast cancer cell line.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jan;90(1):161-6.
This study was designed to determine the antiproliferative, apoptotic and antioxidative properties of crude methanolic extract from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana (family Guttiferae) ( mangosteen ) using human breast cancer (SKBR3) cell line as a model system. SKBR3 cells were cultured in the presence of mangosteen extract at various concentrations. Mangosteen showed a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. We found that antiproliferative effect of mangosteen was associated with apoptosis on breast cancer cell line by determinations of morphological changes and oligonucleosomal DNA fragments. In addition, mangosteen at various concentrations and incubation times were also found to inhibit ROS production. These investigations suggested that the mangosteen extract had strong antiproliferation, potent antioxidation and induction of apoptosis. Thus, it indicates that mangosteen extract has potential for cancer chemoprevention which is dose dependent as well as exposure time dependent.

Induction of apoptosis by xanthones from mangosteen in human leukemia cell lines.
J Nat Prod. 2003 Aug;66(8):1124-7.
We examined the effects of six xanthones from the pericarps of mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana, on the cell growth inhibition of human leukemia cell line HL60. All xanthones in mangosteen displayed growth inhibitory effects. Among them, alpha-mangostin showed complete inhibition at 10 microM through the induction of apoptosis.

Garcinone E, a xanthone derivative, has potent cytotoxic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.
Planta Med. 2002 Nov;68(11):975-9.
Treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with chemotherapy has generally been disappointing and it is most desirable to have more effective new drugs. We extracted and purified 6 xanthone compounds from the rinds (peel) of the fruits of Garcinia mangostana L. ( mangosteen ), and then tested the cytotoxic effects of these compounds on a panel of 14 different human cancer cell lines including 6 hepatoma cell lines. Our results have shown that one of the xanthone derivatives from mangosteen which could be identified as garcinone E has potent cytotoxic effect on all HCC cell lines as well as on the other gastric and lung cancer cell lines included in the screen. We suggest that garcinone E extract from mangosteen may be potentially useful for the treatment of certain types of cancer.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by gamma-mangostin, a xanthone derivative in mangosteen, in C6 rat glioma cells.
Biochem Pharmacol. 2002 Jan 1;63(1):73-9.
In the present study, we examined the effect of gamma-mangostin, a tetraoxygenated diprenylated xanthone contained in mangosteen, on arachidonic acid  cascade in C6 rat glioma cells. This study is a first demonstration that gamma-mangostin, a xanthone derivative from mangosteen, directly inhibits COX activity.

More Mangosteen information - The various forms of mangosteen sold
The active xanthones are in the pericarp (husk), and not the mangosteen fruit. Mangosteen powder is sometimes added in juices to provide more xanthones to the juice mix. This "thickens" the mixture and adds more body. All mangosteen juice sellers refer to "shake" the bottle before drinking to mix the powder with the juice.

Extracts:
Mangosteen Extract - There are two common mangosteen extracts; alcohol extract and water based extracts. The extracts add more xanthones to the drink mixes which is the active ingredient in mangosteen.

Mangosteen Fruit Puree:
Whole mangosteen fruit is crushed and some water is added for pouring, and then put into plastic containers, frozen and then shipped from Thailand. Companies then add other fruit juices to improve taste.

Mangosteen Juice Concentrate:
This is "just add water" concentrate mix with only tropical fruit contents, No preservatives, No artificial colors, etc.

Mangosteen Juice and Mangosteen Fruit emails
Q. I would like to know how the mangosteen capsule compares to the juice.
   A. The mangosteen capsules are pure mangosteen including the rind which has most of the active xanthones while the mangosteen juice has mostly the fruit and other fruit juices. Mangosteen capsules and mangosteen juice are different but there are no studies that compare the two in humans so it is difficult to say which is the healthier to take in the long.

Q. Is the mangosteen product an extract, or the real fruit? Is it organic? Also, my husband has c. pneumoniea (mycoplasma) bacteria associated with CFS, and is on long term antibiotics, and has been on 10 oz a day of Xango mangosteen. Can he take 6 pills or so to equal the equivalent in Mangosteen juice? Have you had any experience as to whether the pills at higher doses, can actually kill the bacteria, like mycoplasm, as effectively as an antibiotic? Do you have any 'testimonials' about your mangosteen pills?
   A. We have no idea what the equivalence would be between the mangosteen capsules and the juice. There are dozens of different manufacturers and they each mix mangosteen juice with various other fruit juices (to make it more palatable), so we basically would be comparing apples and oranges. By the way, the other juices would have health benefits, too.
   Both mangosteen / fruit juices and mangosteen powder in capsules are likely to be beneficial, but one can't say over the long run which is better. We don't know whether high doses of mangosteen can kill bacteria in the body since such human studies have not been done. This mangosteen product is organic.

Q. A friend of mine told me that mangosteen was helpful for arthritis. Within 10 days of taking a capsule a day, my arthritis pain was less. It's been a few months now and it seems to be still helping.
   A. This is the first we have heard of mangosteen being helpful for arthritis.

Q.  Someone told me that mangosteen has a short shelf life. (they also want me to buy their xango product) any merit to this?
   A. Most herbal constituents have a very long half life and can stay active for many years or even decades is stored properly. We have no evidence that mangosteen is any different.

Q. I see advertisements for mangosteen XanGo juice. Can you tell me more about Mangosteen XanGo juice?
   A.  XanGo International is a multilevel marketing company that sells products through independent distributors who are encouraged to recruit other distributors. According to a press release we received, this is what XanGo Juice says: "Our proprietary formula for XanGo Juice begins with a puree of the whole mangosteen fruit from the best farms. XanGo sources and purees the whole fresh mangosteen – pulp and rind - so you can receive the benefits the way nature intended. Mangosteen XanGo Juice delivers the full benefit of some 40 xanthones as well as the advantage of powerful flavonoids through true usage of the whole fruit. Some mangosteen products use only the pulp, the inner part of the fruit. The use of the pulp and exclusion of the rind where most of the xanthones reside is not the “whole fruit.” The use of extracts of the mangosteen, pulp or pericarp, can lead to a reduction of the fruit’s xanthone and flavonoid values. By definition, mangosteen extract clearly does not mean “whole fruit.” Those who want to market this amazing mangosteen fruit should recognize nature’s perfection. We can’t make the mangosteen better by taking it apart. Manufacturers who aim to be part of this exciting category have a right to make their mangosteen products their way. And consumers in pursuit of the mangosteen’s health benefits have a right to know the truth."
   Update October 2006 - FDA has warned XanGo International of Lehi, Utah, to stop the distribution of brochures which claim that its mangosteen juice drink has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, and anti-allergic effects. The FDA obtained the brochures through contact information given at a recruitment seminar. A company attorney has stated that XanGo should not be held responsible for the claims because the brochures were distributed by an independent publisher that shows up uninvited to its workshops.

Q. Do you recommend Xango juice, as a good mangosteen juice?
   A. We don't make any recommendations for or against mangosteen juice products since we have not tested to see whether Xango mangosteen juice is better or worse than other mangosteen juice products on the market.

Q. What do you know about Mangosteen? There are different types, sold from different companies, I am using one now produced by Xango, I think that is how is is spelled, and my husband is using one from Puritan Pride, cheaper than mine, just wondering what you think about this. We are both diabetics, and I am taking Avendia, and have for several years.
   A. We have no way to know which mangosteen product is better. The only way to tell would be through human studies of different mangosteen products, and this is not likely to be done in the near future.

Q.  My neighbor suggested I contact you as he breeds Labs and I breed French Briards. My pick of the litter from March 1995 is now 12 years and is developing an arthritic condition in his hind quarters. I've put him on Rymidal and glucosamine which has helped but I have never tried the mangosteen. Will you please help me decide the value of mangosteen and how it may help this wonderful animal to enjoy a longer and higher quality of life?
   A. We are not aware of studies in dogs that have looked at the health benefit of mangosteen supplements.

back to index yohimbe bark index