FAQ's

Why haven't I heard about xanthones from mangosteen if they are so powerful?

The people of Southeast Asia are very familiar with the prized mangosteen fruit and Asian Health Practitioners have long made use of Pericarp for a myriad of nutritional uses. The mangosteen fruit, however, has never been introduced to the Western world and much of the science behind xanthones is predominantly available to those in the medical community until recently. Many of the clinical studies on xanthones have been done in universities and testing facilities throughout Asia and have recently started to catch the attention of Western researchers.

What is the most potent source of xanthones?

According to the research, the most concentrated source of xanthones found in nature is in the Pericarp (rind) of the mangosteen fruit. The majority of clinical studies on xanthones specify that the xanthones used were from the mangosteen Pericarp.

What are some of the studied benefits of xanthones?

Studies have demonstrated that xanthones have the ability to offer support in the following areas:

Immune system support  (7)

1. Free Radic Res 2000 Nov;33(5):643-59. Inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation by prenylated xanthones derived from mangostin. Mahabusarakam W, Proudfoot J, Taylor W, Croft K. Chemistry Department, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand.2. Williams P, Ongsakul M, Proudfoot J, Croft K, Beilin L. 1994. Mangostin inhibits the oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein. Free Rad Res. 23:175-184.3. Biochem Pharmacol 2002 Jan 1;63(1):73-9.  Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by gamma-mangostin, a xanthone derivative in mangosteen, in C6 rat glioma cells. Nakatani K, Nakahata N, Arakawa T, Yasuda H, Ohizumi Y.  Department of Pharmaceutical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, 980-8578, Sendai, Japan.4. Farnsworth N. 1992. Thai Medicinal Plants. Bangkok, Thailand: Medicinal Plant Information Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University.5. Planta Med 1983 May;48(1):59-60. Antimicrobial activities of Garcinia mangostana.Sundaram BM, Gopalakrishnan C, Subramanian S, Shankaranarayanan D, Kameswaran L.6. Inhibitions of histamine release and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by mangosteen, a Thai medicinal plant.Nakatani K, Atsumi M, Arakawa T, Oosawa K, Shimura S, Nakahata N, Ohizumi Y. o Department of Pharmaceutical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.7. J Med Assoc Thai 1997 Sep;80 Suppl 1:S149-54. Immunopharmacological activity of polysaccharide from the pericarb of mangosteen garcinia: phagocytic intracellular killing activities. Chanarat P, Chanarat N, Fujihara M, Nagumo T.Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.8. Peres V, Nagem T, Faustino de Oliveira F. 2000. Tetraoxygenated naturally occurring xanthones. Phytochemistry. 55:683-710

I eat a balanced diet. Am I getting xanthones from my food?

No. The xanthone family of phytonutrients can be found in trace amounts in certain fruits and vegetables, however, the pericarp of the mangosteen is the premier source where these nutrients are found in concentrated amounts. Most scientific studies actually name the mangosteen pericarp as the source of xanthones.

What makes xanthones from mangosteen fruit so special?

What is amazing is that the Mangosteen (which, has no connection with the mango), has never been utilized for its multiple health benefits in North America or Europe despite its history and popularity as a folk remedy in Asia and South America. Until recently, it has been one of Nature's best kept secrets.

For centuries the traditional medical healers of India, China, Malaysia, Thailand the Philippines and Vietnam have employed Mangosteen for its health benefits. In the last 150 years the plant has been transported to Africa, the Caribbean, Australia and South America where both researchers and medical practitioners alike have studied and utilized its healing and protective properties.