Protective effect of α-mangostin on cardiac reperfusion damage by attenuation of oxidative stress.

This study was designed to investigate if α-mangostin (α-M), a xanthone present in the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana L., was able to protect against reperfusion injury in Langendorff-reperfused hearts. It was observed that α-M maintains the cardiac mechanical work, diminishes the area of infarct, and prevents the decrease in cardiac ATP and phosphocreatine levels in the reperfused myocardium. The protective effect of this xanthone was associated with reduction of oxidative stress. α-M treatment prevented reperfusion injury-induced protein oxidation (protein carbonyl content), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal content), and diminution of glutathione content. In fact, after α-M treatment, the values in these parameters were comparable to those obtained in nonreperfused hearts. In summary, α-M induces a protective effect in postischemic heart associated to the prevention of oxidative stress secondary to reperfusion injury.