Dear sun,
Thank you for your question on Garcinia fruit. This fruit has been
used extensively from the Philippines to China to the US to Thailand
and most places in between since at least the mid 1700's. It is
reported to be named after a French explorer, Jacques Garcin
(1673-1751).
-----------------------
From Micromedix (a reference tool used by physicians) regarding
possible toxic side effects of Garcinia:
Garcinia species encompass a large genus of tropical Asiatic
trees, many with edible fruits, including the mangosteen (G.
mangostana). Hydroxycitric acid, from the fruits of G.
cambogia and G. indica, has been used in over-the-counter
weight loss products. Garcinia extracts have been used in folk
medicine as an antimicrobial, diuretic, and purgative. No
adverse effects have been associated with ingestion of the fruit
or fruit extracts. The gum resin from G. hanburyi, called
gamboge, has been used in lacquers and paints. Gamboge is a
drastic purgative, and large doses can be fatal. We have been
unable to locate references on possible reproductive or
lactation effects of Garcinia extracts.
Most of the scientific reports looking at the efficacy of Garcinia
extracts have been carried out in vitro, i.e., not in people. For
example, one rather dated study has shown antimicrobial activities:
Sundaram BM. Gopalakrishnan C. Subramanian S. Shankaranarayanan D.
Kameswaran L. Antimicrobial activities of Garcinia mangostana.
[Journal Article] Planta Medica. 48(1):59-60, 1983 May.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=6611746
(not available online)
Another group found inhibition of HIV-1 using extracts of this fruit,
again, in vitro, not in people:
Chen SX. Wan M. Loh BN. Active constituents against HIV-1 protease
from Garcinia mangostana. [Letter] Planta Medica. 62(4):381-2, 1996
Aug.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8792678
Here is the abstract:
"The ethanol extract of Garcinia mangostana L. (Guttiferae) showed
potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease. The activity-guided
purification of the extract resulted in the isolation of two active,
known compounds. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds
were established by spectroscopic analyses as mangostin (IC50 = 5.12
+/- 0.41 microM) and gamma-mangostin (IC50 = 4.81 +/- 0.32 microM).
The type of inhibition by both compounds is noncompetitive."
A report from 1979 details some of the first compounds isolated from
this fruit and their effects in animals, perhaps explaining some of
the effects of the fruit and its rind in humans:
Shankaranarayan D, Gopalakrishnan C, Kameswaran L. Pharmacological
profile of mangostin and its derivatives.
Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 1979 Jun;239(2):257-69. PMID: 314790.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=314790
Here is the abstract:
"Mangostin (M), a naturally occurring xanthone in the rinds of the
fruits of Garcinia mangostana Linn. (Guttiferae) and its derivatives
such as 3-0-methyl mangostin (MM), 3,6-di-O-methyl mangostin (DM),
1-isomangostin (IM), mangostin triacetate (MT), mangostin
3,6-di-O-(tetra acetyl) glucoside (MTG) and
mangostin-6,6-di-O-glucoside (MOG) were screened for various
pharmacological effects in experimental animals. With the exception of
DM all the test compounds produced CNS depression characterised by
ptosis, sedation, decreased motor activity, potentiation of
pentobarbital sleeping time and ether anaesthesia in mice and rats.
None of the compounds exhibited analgesic, antipyretic and
anticonvulsant effects. With the exception of MOG, none of the test
compounds produced significant effects on the cardiovascular system of
frogs and dogs. MOG produced myocardial stimulation and a rise in
blood pressure which was partially blocked by propranolol. M, IM and
MT produced pronounced antiinflammatory activity both by
intraperitoneal and oral routes in rats as tested by
carrageenininduced hind paw oedema, cotton pellet implantation and
granuloma pouch techniques. Antiinflammatory activity for M, IM and MT
was observed even in bilaterally adrenalectomised rats. M, IM and MT
did not produce any mast cell membrane stabilising effect and the
degranulation effect of polymyxin B, diazoxide and Triton X-100 on rat
peritoneal mast cells in vitro was not prevented. M, IM and MT did not
alter the prothrombin time of albino rats. M alone produced
significant antiulcer activity in rats."
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A particularly good resource with references on uses of this plant can
be found at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center:
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11571.cfm?RecordID=721&tab=HC
Here is the clinical summary from that site:
"Mangosteen is a plant native to Southeast Asia. The fruits are used
in traditional medicine to treat skin infections, wounds, and
diarrhea. Recent studies have revealed that xanthones from the fruit
hulls exhibit antibacterial (3), antifungal (4), and antiinflammatory
(5) properties. Alpha-mangostin, a xanthone, inhibited growth of human
leukemia HL60 cells (1) (6), reduced the synthesis of prostaglandins
(5), and prevented oxidative damage of LDL (7) in vitro. There is also
preliminary evidence that alpha- and gamma-mangostins act as histamine
and serotonin receptor blockers (8), and also inhibit HIV-1 protease
(9). Garcinone E, another xanthone, exerts cytotoxic effects against
human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (10). Extract from the pericarp
of mangosteen has antiproliferative, antioxidative, and apoptotic
effects against human breast cancer SKBR3 cells (11). There is no data
from clinical trials to verify these effects in humans. No adverse
effects have been reported with the use of mangosteen."
------------------
Here is a page from HerbMed, which lists further resources.
From the EthnoBotanical database:
Mangostin species have been used in the following ways:
Garcinia mangostana L. (CLUSIACEAE)
Circumscission Burkill,1966; Fever Burkill,1966; Wound Burkill,1966
Garcinia mangostana M,B,G, & S, 1991 (CLUSIACEAE)
Ache(Stomach) Sumatra; Fever Sumatra
Garcinia mangostana (CLUSIACEAE)
Astringent Eb25: 4
Here is a list of references for the database, in which the above
references can be found:
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/references.pl
From Purdue,
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mangosteen.html
"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. Filipinos 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 rind of partially ripe fruits yields a polyhydroxy-xanthone
derivative termed mangostin, also ß-mangostin. That of fully ripe
fruits contains the xanthones, gartanin, 8-disoxygartanin, and
normangostin. A derivative of mangostin, mangostin-e,
6-di-O-glucoside, is a central nervous system depressant and causes a
rise in blood pressure."
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Site also lists purported uses of the plant:
? Bacterial Infections
? Diarrhea
? Fungal infections
? Inflammation
? Skin infections
? Wound healing
The same site also lists possible mechanisms of action by which the plant may act:
"The xanthones, alpha- and beta-mangostins, and garcinone B exhibit
strong inhibitory effect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro
(3). Alpha-mangostin has been shown to inhibit growth of human
leukemia HL60 cells by inducing caspase-3-dependent apoptosis (1) (6),
reduce the synthesis of prostaglandins by inhibiting the activities of
COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes (5), and prevent oxidative damage of LDL by
functioning as a free-radical scavenger (7). Alpha- and
gamma-mangostins also antagonize the activities of histamine and
serotonin by acting as receptor blockers (8). Garcinone E has
cytotoxic effects against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (10).
In vitro studies have also demonstrated that a crude methanolic
extract from the pericarp of mangosteen has antiproliferative,
antioxidative, and apoptotic effects against SKBR3 human breast cancer
cells (11)."
Here is the list of references from the MSKCC site referred to in the quote above:
(1) Matsumoto K, et al.Induction of apoptosis by xanthones from
mangosteen in human leukemia cell lines. J Nat Prod 2003;
66(8):1124-1127.
(2) Suksamrarn S, et al. Xanthones from the green fruit hulls of
Garcinia mangostana. J Nat Prod 2002; 65(5):761-763.
(3) Suksamrarn S, et al. Antimycobacterial activity of prenylated
xanthones from the fruits of Garcinia mangostana. Chem Pharm Bull
(Tokyo) 2003; 51(7):857-859.
(4) Gopalakrishnan G, Banumathi B, Suresh G. Evaluation of the
antifungal activity of natural xanthones from Garcinia mangostana and
their synthetic derivatives. J Nat Prod 1997; 60(5):519-524.
(5) Nakatani K, et al. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin
E2 synthesis by gamma-mangostin, a xanthone derivative in mangosteen,
in C6 rat glioma cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2002; 63(1):73-79.
(6) Matsumoto K, et al. Preferential target is mitochondria in
alpha-mangostin-induced apoptosis in human leukemia HL60 cells. Bioorg
Med Chem 2004; 12(22):5799-5806.
(7) Williams P, et al. Mangostin inhibits the oxidative modification
of human low density lipoprotein. Free Radic Res 1995; 23(2):175-184.
(8) Chairungsrilerd N, et al. Histaminergic and serotonergic receptor
blocking substances from the medicinal plant Garcinia mangostana.
Planta Med 1996; 62(5):471-472.
(9) Chen SX, Wan M, Loh BN. Active constituents against HIV-1 protease
from Garcinia mangostana. Planta Med 1996; 62(4):381-382.
(10) Ho CK, Huang YL, Chen CC. Garcinone E, a xanthone derivative, has
potent cytotoxic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.
Planta Med 2002; 68(11):975-979.
(11) Moongkarndi P, et al. Antiproliferation, antioxidation and
induction of apoptosis by Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) on SKBR3
human breast cancer cell line. J Ethnopharmacol 2004; 90(1):161-166.
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Also of possible interest, here is a picture of the plant and some
additional information on growing and cultivation from Desert
Tropicals:
http://www.deserttropicals.com/Plants/Clusiaceae/Garcinia_mangostana.html
Here is the USDA site referring to the plant:
http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi?earl=plant_profile.cgi&symbol=GAMA10
This is another list of uses of the fruit, as well as some other names
it's known by:
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/hm.html
I believe the fruit shows up in the Quack Watch database because there
is no clinical evidence at this point of its efficacy in any regards,
however various versions of the fruit's extracts are sold by GNC and
others (you can find these at drugstore.com among other sources).
Here is a patent involving substances derived from the fruit, which
cites anecdotal cases where derivatives of the fruit supposedly cured
various ailments:
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&p=1&S1=%226,730,333%22&OS=%226,730,333%22&RS=%226,730,333%22
Here is the Wikipedia page discussing Mangosteen fruit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangosteen
Here is a skeptical overview of the mangosteen phenomenon from a lay
person (Chet Day), focusing on cancer treatment claims:
http://chetday.com/mangosteen.htm
This site also discusses the marketing that has gone into Mangosteen
and lists more references.
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I hope this information was useful. Please feel free to ask for clarification.
-welte-ga |
