Research has found that the mangosteen contains high concentrations of nutrients that are essential to human health. Some of these nutrients are chemical substances called xanthones - a class of biologically-active phytonutrients , similar to vitamins, that help the body's cells function correctly and optimally. Phytonutrients such as carotenoids, flavanoids, and phenols have become very popular in recent years due to their ability, as supplements, to support and enhance the body's immune system.
Dried fruits are shipped from Singapore to Calcutta and to China for medicinal use. The sliced and dried rind is powdered and administered to overcome dysentery. Made into an ointment, it is applied on eczema and other skin disorders. The rind decoction is taken to relieve diarrhea and cystitis, gonorrhea and gleet and is applied externally as an astringent lotion. A portion of the rind is steeped in water overnight and the infusion given as a remedy for chronic diarrhea in adults and children. Filipino healers employ a decoction of the leaves and bark as a febrifuge and to treat thrush, diarrhea, dysentery and urinary disorders. In Malaya, an infusion of the leaves, combined with unripe banana and a little benzoin is applied to the wound of circumcision. A root decoction is taken to regulate menstruation. A bark extract called "amibiasine", has been marketed for the treatment of amoebic dysentery.
The xanthone chemical structure possesses six-carbon conjugated rings that make the molecule very stable, allowing it to neutralize unstable atoms called free radicals -highly reactive chemical substances in the body that can lead to premature aging and disease through a process called oxidation. Xanthones are thus considered some of the most potent antioxidants known, and are even thought to be more potent than both Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Of the 200 xanthones known to exist, the most plentiful natural source of this substance is the mangosteen plant, which contains over 40 xanthones. What’s remarkable is that the whole mangosteen fruit (particularly the pericarp or rind), and not just the inner edible portion, is loaded with this tremendously beneficial substance.
Here is a list of some of the most studied xanthones found in mangosteen that have been named. Currently, there are 43 xanthones known to be in the mangosteen.
Alpha mangostin |
Beta mangostin |
Gamma mangostin |
Garcinone B |
Garcinone C |
Garcinone D |
Garcinone E |
Based on current research, alpha mangostin is considered the fruit’s ANTI-OXIDANT, while gamma mangostin is studied for its potent ANTI-INFLAMMATORY properties, and Garcinone E for showing great potential as an ANTI-TUMOR agent. Still, more research on Xanthones is ongoing. There are many results people report about health benefits from xanthones that cannot be explained by medical science yet. This is likely due to the fact that only about 15% of known xanthones have been studied to any degree. Some of the known benefits of xanthones based on recent research are:
- Helps boost energy
- Helps prevent and reduce inflammation
- Shows signs of slowing aging
- Helps lower blood pressure
- Helps lower blood sugar
- Helps prevent infections by bacteria, viruses, and fungus
- Effectively treats a variety of diarrheal diseases
- Helps prevent dementia
- Helps prevent allergies
- Helps prevents cataracts and glaucoma
- Helps protect the heart and cardiovascular system
