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Garcinia Mangostana: Potent Antioxidant “Xanthones” Promote Healthy Cells and Weight Loss

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Garcinia mangostana, commonly known as mangosteen, is a tropical fruit that’s long been popular in its native Southeast Asia. In recent years, as rumors about it’s health-promoting properties began to spread, the world at large became more familiar with this exotic fruit. Despite the name, mangosteen is not related to the mango, although it’s a delightful—albeit delicately flavored—food when ripe. Outside of Asia, the public has arguably been more interested in the inedible outer hull, which protects the tender ripening fruit. It is this tough, purple outer layer—technically called the pericarp—that has long been used as a medicinal plant throughout Southeast Asia.

Numerous Promising Activities

Reputed to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, it’s most commonly used in traditional folk medicine as a treatment for wounds and skin infections. It’s also used to combat diarrhea and other intestinal complaints. Now, emerging evidence suggests mangosteen may possess numerous other potentially beneficial properties. For example, Chinese researchers reported in 2011 that a class of chemicals from mangosteen—the xanthones—may act as potent natural cancer fighters. “Multiple lines of evidence from numerous…studies have confirmed that xanthones inhibit proliferation of a wide range of human tumor cell types by modulating various targets and signaling transduction pathways,” the researchers wrote.

Although controlled clinical trials on human subjects are lacking, scientific interest in mangosteen is increasing. Mangosteen juice is a popular nutritional supplement around the world, primarily touted for its unique antioxidants. Research suggests that mangosteen xanthones are responsible for many of mangosteen’s reported health benefits. Xanthones are extracted from the inedible, protective husk that surrounds the delicate fruit, as well as from the whole fruit, heartwood, and leaves of Garcinia mangostana.

At last count, at least 80 different xanthones had been identified in mangosteen pericarp. These newly identified compounds represent a potential goldmine for scientists seeking new ways to prevent and/or treat diseases, such as cancer. “Xanthones…from mangosteen…are known to possess a wide spectrum of pharmacologic properties, including antioxidant, anti- tumor, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral activities,” wrote Chinese researchers, in Current Molecular Medicine.

Potential Support for Healthy Cell Function

Investigations are preliminary, and the United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved mangosteen products for the treatment of any illness, but emerging research is promising. One study, for example, found evidence that xanthones from mangosteen pericarp are capable of exerting effects consistent with breast cancer prevention. Investigators at Ohio State University have shown in recent years that some mangosteen xanthones exhibit antioxidant activity, while others apparently act like aromatase inhibitors, a class of drugs used to prevent the growth of hormone-positive breast cancer cells.

Some experiments on rodent models of human colon cancer have suggested that mangosteen xanthones may prevent the development of colon cancer. Evidence suggests that mangosteen xanthones may prevent cancer through a variety of mechanisms, including anti-proliferation by modifying cancerous cell cycles, suppression of invasion and metastasis, induction of programmed cellular suicide (apoptosis), and inactivation of carcinogens, among other effects.

Skeptics are quick to note that anti-cancer activity by mangosteen has not yet been proven in human subjects. But that didn’t temper the apparent enthusiasm of Malaysian scientists, who commented recently on their laboratory investigations with rodent models of human colon cancer. “The xanthones extract, when fed to nude mice, caused significant growth inhibition of the…colorectal carcinoma cells…Our data suggest new mechanisms of action of α-mangostin and the G. mangostana xanthones, and suggest the xanthones extract of as a potential anti-colon cancer candidate.”

Weight Loss Potential?

Alone, Garcinia mangostana shows promise in a variety of health fields.  But when combined with another Ayurvedic botanical its potential starts to shine.  Clinical research conducted on a proprietary blend of Garcina mangosta and Sphaeranthus indicus called Meratrim®.  Published clinical trials show fantastic weight loss and slimming results. Participants in one study published in the journal of Obesity, followed a 2,000 calorie per day diet, and walked 30 minutes a day, five days per week.  Those who were actively taking Meratrim® lost 7.2″ over 8 weeks, vs. the placebo group who lost only 3.6″.  But how about weight loss? Individuals taking Meratrim® (while dieting and exercising)  lost 11.5 lbs over 8 weeks vs. only 3.3 lbs for those taking placebo.  While more research is needed, it’s clear that for those wanting more from their diet and exercise program should look at adding Meratrim® to their regimen.

Finding the Best Meratrim® Supplement

While Meratrim® is available from a variety of sources, SLIMit® with Meratrim® seems to be the best on the market.  This is because it provides a full clinical 800 mg dose of 100% pure Meratrim® with powerful botanicals, antioxidants and minerals to supercharge your body’s natural fat burning metabolism.  Unlike other products it contains no caffeine (or other stimulants) that can cause un-wanted jitteriness (or even worse health problems).  It’s currently available online, or nationwide through your local health food store.

References

Stern JSPeerson JMishra ATSadasiva Rao MVRajeswari KP. Efficacy and tolerability of an herbal formulation for weight management. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2013 May;21(5):921-7. doi: 10.1002/oby.20211.

Stern JSPeerson JMishra ATMathukumalli VSKonda PR. Efficacy and tolerability of an herbal formulation for weight management.

Aisha AF, Abu-Salah KM, Ismail Z, Majid AM. In vitro and in vivo anti-colon cancer effects of Garcinia mangostana xanthones extract. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Jul 20;12:104.

Balunas MJ, Su B, Brueggemeier RW, Kinghorn AD. Xanthones from the botanical dietary supplement mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) with aromatase inhibitory activity. J Nat Prod. 2008 Jul;71(7):1161-6. doi: 10.1021/np8000255. Epub 2008 Jun 18.

Cui J, Hu W, Cai Z, Liu Y, Li S, Tao W, Xiang H. New medicinal properties of mangostins: analgesic activity and pharmacological characterization of active ingredients from the fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana L. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2010 Apr;95(2):166-72. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2009.12.021. Epub 2010 Jan 11.

Han AR, Kim JA, Lantvit DD, Kardono LB, Riswan S, Chai H, et al. Cytotoxic xanthone constituents of the stem bark of Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen). J Nat Prod. 2009 Nov;72(11):2028-31. doi: 10.1021/np900517h.

Jung HA, Su BN, Keller WJ, Mehta RG, Kinghorn AD. Antioxidant xanthones from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen). J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Mar 22;54(6):2077-82.

Obolskiy D, Pischel I, Siriwatanametanon N, Heinrich M. Garcinia mangostana L.: a phytochemical and pharmacological review. Phytother Res. 2009 Aug;23(8):1047-65. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2730.

Shan T, Ma Q, Guo K, Liu J, Li W, Wang F, Wu E. Xanthones from mangosteen extracts as natural chemopreventive agents: potential anticancer drugs. Curr Mol Med. 2011 Nov;11(8):666-77.

Suksamrarn S, Komutiban O, Ratananukul P, Chimnoi N, Lartpornmatulee N, Suksamrarn A. Cytotoxic prenylated xanthones from the young fruit of Garcinia mangostana. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2006 Mar;54(3):301-5.

Watanapokasin R, Jarinthanan F, Jerusalmi A, Suksamrarn S, Nakamura Y, Sukseree S,  et al. Potential of xanthones from tropical fruit mangosteen as anti-cancer agents: caspase-dependent apoptosis induction in vitro and in mice. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2010 Oct;162(4):1080-94. doi: 10.1007/s12010-009-8903-6. Epub 2010 Jan 26.


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