What Is Mangosteen? Other Names: Amibiasine, Fruit des Rois, Garcinia Mangostana

What is Mangosteen?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Mangosteen, scientifically known as Garcinia mangostana, is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia. It is often referred to as the “queen of fruits” due to its unique appearance and delightful flavor. The fruit is renowned not only for its taste but also for its potential health benefits, which have been the subject of various scientific studies. Other names include: Amibiasine, Fruit des Rois, Garcinia mangostana, Jus de Xango, Mang Cut, Manggis, Manggistan, Mangosta, Mangostan, Mangostán, Mangostana, Mangostanier, Mangostao, Mangostier, Mangoustanier, Mangouste, Mangoustier, Manguita, Meseter, Queen of Fruits, Sementah, Semetah, Xango, Xango Juice.

Nutritional and Health Benefits

Mangosteen is rich in phenolic compounds, including xanthones, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids, which contribute to its antioxidant properties4. These compounds have been linked to various health benefits, such as improving insulin sensitivity in obese individuals, reducing inflammation, and enhancing antioxidant capacity2 3. Studies have shown that mangosteen extract can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammatory markers in obese patients2. Additionally, daily consumption of a mangosteen-based drink has been found to increase antioxidant capacity and decrease C-reactive protein levels, an inflammatory biomarker, without adverse effects on liver and kidney functions3.

Potential Therapeutic Uses of Mangosteen

Research has explored the potential therapeutic applications of mangosteen in various health conditions. For instance, mangosteen peel infusion has shown promise in improving liver and kidney structures in rats exposed to oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide5. Furthermore, mangosteen pericarp has been investigated as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia, although results did not support its efficacy in improving symptoms6 7. In animal studies, mangosteen extract has demonstrated protective effects against benign prostatic hyperplasia by modulating hormone levels and reducing prostate size8.

Agricultural and Morphological Aspects

Mangosteen cultivation faces challenges such as yellow latex contamination, which affects fruit quality. Research has indicated that calcium application can reduce this issue, improving the quality of mangosteen fruits10. Additionally, studies on the morphological variability of mangosteen varieties have highlighted differences in growth and fruit characteristics, which are important for conservation and agricultural practices9.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Adverse Effects of Mangosteen

Kidney Function

Research has shown that the ethanolic extract of mangosteen rind can adversely affect kidney function. In a study involving Wistar rats, repeated administration of the extract led to an increase in the relative mass of the kidneys and elevated urea concentrations, indicating impaired renal function1. This suggests that prolonged consumption of mangosteen extracts could potentially lead to kidney issues.

Cardiac Effects

Mangosteen rind extract has also been linked to cardiac histopathological changes. A study on Wistar rats revealed that high doses of the extract caused inflammatory responses in cardiac tissue, characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells and vacuolar changes. These changes suggest that excessive antioxidant intake from mangosteen may lead to oxidative stress and inflammation in the heart2.

Liver Safety

While some studies have indicated that mangosteen peel extract is safe for liver function, with no significant changes in liver weight even at high doses3, other research suggests that its safety profile may vary depending on the form and dosage of the extract used. Therefore, caution is advised when consuming mangosteen products, especially in large quantities.

General Safety and Tolerability

In a clinical trial assessing the safety of a mangosteen-based drink, no adverse effects on hepatic and renal functions were observed over a 30-day period6. However, this does not rule out potential long-term effects, and further studies are needed to establish comprehensive safety guidelines.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

How has Mangosteen Improved Patient Outcomes?

Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Mangosteen, when combined with propolis, has been effective in reducing gingival inflammation and improving periodontal health. Studies have shown significant reductions in inflammatory biomarkers such as IL-1β, PGE2, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in patients with gingivitis and incipient periodontitis, suggesting its potential as an adjunctive therapy for gingival health1 2. Additionally, the use of 4% mangosteen gel as a local drug delivery system has demonstrated improvements in clinical and biochemical parameters in chronic periodontitis patients7.

Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Mangosteen extract has been found to significantly improve insulin sensitivity in obese female patients, indicating its potential role in managing obesity and type 2 diabetes. The treatment was associated with a substantial reduction in insulin resistance and a trend towards decreased inflammation markers, without any reported side effects3 6.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

In patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, mangosteen pericarp extract significantly lowered plasma levels of IL-6, an inflammatory marker, although it did not significantly affect clinical outcomes like CAT scores or length of hospital stay5.

Schizophrenia and Bipolar Depression

While mangosteen pericarp has been explored as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar depression, results have been mixed. Some studies did not find significant improvements in symptoms or cognitive outcomes compared to placebo, suggesting that further research is needed to determine its efficacy in these conditions4 8 9 10.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Mangosteen Mechanisms of Action

Antioxidant Properties: Mangosteen contains various antioxidants that can scavenge free radicals, reducing oxidative stress. This is evident in studies where mangosteen peel infusion normalized reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in rats exposed to hydrogen peroxide, thereby improving liver and kidney function4. Additionally, a mangosteen-based drink increased antioxidant capacity in humans by 15% over a 30-day period5.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: Mangosteen has been shown to significantly decrease inflammatory biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, by 46% in healthy adults, indicating its strong anti-inflammatory potential5. This is beneficial in conditions associated with chronic inflammation, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes2.

Insulin Sensitization: In obese female patients, mangosteen extract improved insulin sensitivity significantly, suggesting its role in managing insulin resistance and potentially aiding in weight management2.

Cancer Chemoprevention: Mangosteen extract has demonstrated the ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, as well as inhibit tumor growth in animal models. This is primarily attributed to the xanthones, particularly alpha-mangostin, which interfere with cell cycle regulators like cyclinD1/CDK43.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Common Complaints Associated with Mangosteen Use

Safety Profile: In a study evaluating the effects of mangosteen extract on insulin resistance and weight management in obese female patients, no side effects attributable to the treatment were reported, suggesting an excellent safety profile for mangosteen in this context1.

Postoperative Use: Another study investigated the use of xanthones, compounds derived from mangosteen, for preventing postoperative sore throat. The study found no complications associated with the administration of xanthones, indicating that it is safe for this specific use as well2.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate attention from a healthcare provider.