Mangosteen Research

Latin Name: Garcinia mangostana

Family Name: Guttiferae

Medical research on mangosteen is reviewed. It has demonstrated its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action. This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Medical research on mangosteen is reviewed.  Scientific studies have demonstrated its antioxidant, anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, but more human studies are needed.  It’s xanthones, isolated from the peel seem to be a key active constituent. From:  Pedraza-Chaverri, J., Cárdenas-Rodríguez, N., Orozco-Ibarra, M., & Pérez-Rojas, J. M. (2008). Medicinal properties of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana). Food and chemical toxicology, 46(10), 3227-3239.
• Mangosteen has been used as a folk remedy by Southeast Asian people to reduce abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, and chronic ulcers.  It has also been used for skin conditions.  Scientific studies have demonstrated its antioxidant, antitumor, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, especially related to its xanthone content.  From:  Gutierrez-Orozco, F., & Failla, M. (2013). Biological activities and bioavailability of mangosteen xanthones: a critical review of the current evidence. Nutrients, 5(8), 3163-3183.
•  Talbott, S. M., Morton, D. A., & Templeman, J. F. (2005). Mangosteen–Traditional and modern uses. J Australas Integr Med Assoc, 16, 10-11.

IMMUNITY

• In a small study of 59 healthy humans ages 40-60, ingesting a mangosteen product for 30 days improved immunity.  Blood analysis showed increased immunity cell concentration and participants indicated they fealt healthier.  From:  Tang, Y. P., Li, P. G., Kondo, M., Ji, H. P., Kou, Y., & Ou, B. (2009). Effect of a mangosteen dietary supplement on human immune function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of medicinal food, 12(4), 755-763.

ANTIOXIDANT

• In a study with 60 adults, 30 day ingestion of mangosteen showed increased antioxidant biomarkers in the blood.  Immunity cells increased and inflammation biomarkers decreased.  Further, there was no effect on liver and kidney function.  From:  Xie, Z., Sintara, M., Chang, T., & Ou, B. (2015). Daily consumption of a mangosteen‐based drink improves in vivo antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory biomarkers in healthy adults: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Food science & nutrition, 3(4), 342-348.
• In a small study with 10 healthy adults, drinking a supplement with mangosteen, aloe vera, green tea, and multivitamins effectively increased plasma antioxidant levels.  From:  Xie, Z., Sintara, M., Chang, T., & Ou, B. (2015). Functional beverage of Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) enhances plasma antioxidant capacity in healthy adults. Food science & nutrition, 3(1), 32-38.
• Xanthone rich mangosteen demonstrated bioavailable antioxidant activity in vivo. From:  Kondo, M., Zhang, L., Ji, H., Kou, Y., & Ou, B. (2009). Bioavailability and antioxidant effects of a xanthone-rich Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) product in humans. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 57(19), 8788-8792.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• In a study of 84 overweight people who drank a mangosteen juice over an 8 week period, results showed a reduction in inflammatory biomarkers and an increase in antioxidant levels in the blood.  From:  Udani, J. K., Singh, B. B., Barrett, M. L., & Singh, V. J. (2009). Evaluation of Mangosteen juice blend on biomarkers of inflammation in obese subjects: a pilot, dose finding study. Nutrition journal, 8(1), 48.

ACNE

• In this study, 94 subjects with acne were involved in ingesting mangosteen daily for three weeks.  Acne lesions were reduced more with mangosteen than with the placebo. More research is needed. From:  Sutono, T. (2013). Efficacy of Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen rind extract) to reduce acne severity. Medical Journal of Indonesia, 22(3), 167-72.

WEIGHT LOSS

• In a small study, 22 obese female patients were randomized to placebo or a mangosteen extract over 26 weeks.  Results showed improved insulin sensitivity with no side effects in the mangosteen group.  From:  Watanabe, M., Gangitano, E., Francomano, D., Addessi, E., Toscano, R., Costantini, D., … & Gnessi, L. (2018). Mangosteen Extract Shows a Potent Insulin Sensitizing Effect in Obese Female Patients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Nutrients, 10(5), 586.

Compiled: 12/3/18

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski