Rootwork

Mangosteen

Garcinia mangostana

ClusiaceaeMalay Peninsula and Sunda Islands of Indonesia; cultivated throughout Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, southern India, and tropical Americas

Description

overall appearance

A slow-growing, symmetrical tropical tree reaching 6–25 m tall with a conical to domed crown and dark green, dense foliage. Produces the highly prized 'queen of fruits' — smooth, deep purple-red fruits with succulent white segmented flesh. Trees begin fruiting at 7–15 years.

roots

Deep taproot system poorly tolerant of waterlogging; mycorrhizal-dependent; roots are sensitive to soil disturbance and root pruning; does not tolerate transplanting well after establishment

stem

Single straight trunk 30–80 cm diameter in mature trees; bark dark brown to grayish-black; exudes yellow latex when cut; wood is dark, hard, durable

leaves

Opposite, simple, oblong-elliptic, 14–25 cm long by 5–10 cm wide; thick and leathery; dark green and glossy above, yellowish-green below; visible lateral veins; short petioles

flowers

Pale green to yellow flushed pink; 4 petals, 3–4 cm wide; waxy, fleshy; females solitary at branch tips; males (rare) in clusters; functionally dioecious; blooms after periods of water stress

fruits/seeds

Round, 4–7 cm diameter; dark purple to reddish-brown rind (pericarp) 8–12 mm thick with yellowish latex inside; flesh white, 4–8 segments; 1–3 seeds per fruit; sweet-acid, highly fragrant flavor

Active Compounds

Alpha-mangostin (major xanthone, 35–50% of pericarp xanthones)Gamma-mangostinBeta-mangostinGarcinone C, D, and EGartaninSmeathxanthone AMangostanol (prenylated xanthone)Anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-sophoroside in rind)

Traditional Uses

  • Traditional Malay medicine used dried pericarp decoction for diarrhea, dysentery, and skin infections for centuries
  • Thai folk medicine uses pericarp for wound healing, skin diseases, and as an astringent for mouth sores
  • Cambodian and Indonesian traditional medicine uses bark and root for fever, gonorrhea, and urinary infections
  • Traditional use throughout Southeast Asia as one of the primary remedies for diarrhea and intestinal disorders
  • Used in traditional Philippine medicine as a febrifuge and anti-inflammatory
  • Traditional application of pericarp paste for eczema, psoriasis, and chronic skin conditions
  • Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) uses mangosteen as a cooling yin tonic for inflammatory conditions
  • Used as an astringent mouthwash for gingivitis and throat infections in Southeast Asian folk medicine

Modern Applications

  • Anti-cancer: alpha-mangostin induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in breast, prostate, colon, and leukemia cell lines; multiple in vitro and in vivo studies; mechanism via PI3K/Akt pathway
  • Anti-inflammatory: gamma-mangostin is a potent COX-2 inhibitor comparable to indomethacin in enzyme assays; reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines
  • Antioxidant: xanthones among the most potent antioxidants known; ORAC value of pericarp extract extremely high
  • Antimicrobial: alpha-mangostin inhibits MRSA, drug-resistant M. tuberculosis, and various pathogens in vitro
  • Neuroprotection: mangostin xanthones cross the blood-brain barrier; inhibit acetylcholinesterase and protect against amyloid-beta toxicity
  • Antidiabetic: alpha-mangostin improves insulin sensitivity and reduces postprandial glucose in animal models; preliminary human data
  • Cardiovascular: xanthones reduce LDL oxidation, platelet aggregation, and improve endothelial function in in vitro studies
  • Anti-allergic: gamma-mangostin inhibits IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation; may reduce allergic symptoms

⚠️ Safety Information

Contraindications

  • Anticoagulant therapy: xanthones have antiplatelet effects; avoid high-dose supplements with warfarin or aspirin therapy
  • Pre-surgical: discontinue 2 weeks before surgery due to antiplatelet and blood-thinning effects
  • Pregnancy and lactation: insufficient safety data for therapeutic doses of concentrated extracts
  • Immune-modulating therapies (chemotherapy, immunosuppressants): may interact; consult oncologist before use

Side Effects

  • Gastrointestinal effects: lactic acidosis reported in a case study with very high juice consumption (several liters daily); normal doses generally well tolerated
  • Rare allergic reactions with pericarp preparations
  • Potential laxative effect at high doses
  • Increased bleeding time due to antiplatelet xanthone activity

Drug Interactions

  • Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin, aspirin): antiplatelet xanthones increase bleeding risk
  • Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus): immunomodulatory effects may reduce efficacy of transplant medications
  • Chemotherapy agents: alpha-mangostin may synergize or antagonize depending on the specific agent; discuss with oncologist
  • Antidiabetic medications: additive glucose-lowering effects; monitor for hypoglycemia

Parts Used

  • Fruit rind/pericarp (primary medicinal, richest in xanthones)
  • Whole fruit and juice
  • Leaves
  • Bark (traditional)

Preparation Methods

Whole fruit juice (with pericarp): 30–120 ml/day of commercial whole-fruit xanthone juice (most studied clinical form)

Pericarp extract capsules: 500–1500 mg/day standardized to 60% alpha-mangostin

Pericarp tea: 2–5 g dried ground pericarp in 250 ml boiling water, steep 15 minutes; 2 cups/day

Standardized xanthone extract: 200–400 mg/day (90%+ total xanthones); research grade

Topical mangosteen cream (5–10% pericarp extract): applied twice daily for skin inflammation and eczema

Tincture (1:5 in 60% ethanol, pericarp): 3–5 ml three times daily

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Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.