Health benefits of mangosteen

Abstract

The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) is a tropical, Asian tree that belongs to the Gutifferae family. Its red to purple fruits with white pulp are edible and have a pleasant aromatic, slightly acid flavour. Moreover they are used in different traditional medicines from Southeast Asia against diarrhoea, skin infections and chronic wounds, amoebic dysentery and some inflammatory processes. Their main constituents are polyphenols, especially isoprenylated xanthones, such as α-, β- and γ-mangostin, garcinone E, and others. Its anticancer, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, neuropsychiatric, antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties have been studied. Despite multiple published studies, very few have been done on humans. Thus, nowadays it is necessary to be cautious when advising this fruit to treat diseases.