Xanthones from mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana): multi-targeting pharmacological properties.

OBJECTIVE: This review focuses on mangosteen pericarp extracts, xanthones and derivatives for the future laboratory experiment and development in pharmacological aspects. MATERIAL AND
METHOD: All relevant literature databases were searched up to 2 March 2014. The search terms included mangosteen, xanthone, mangostin, and gatanin in all of the human, animal, in vitro and in vivo studies. Anti-intflammation, antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer and antiulcer properties of each substance were the key parameters.
RESULTS: Xanthones are a group of oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds including alpha-mangostin, gamma-mangostin, mangosteen extract, xanthone derivatives and synthetic xanthones, which provide remarkable and diverse pharmacological effects such as anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities.
CONCLUSION: These xanthone compounds may play a major role in therapeutic treatment ofthe diseases but precise mechanisms ofaction are still unclear and needfurther investigation.