Mangostin

Odorless, golden yellow shining leaflets

Fixed

190 ° C.

Decomposes on heating above 190 ° C

• Insoluble in water
• Readily soluble in ethanol and diethyl ether

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Mangostin (also mangosteen ) is a plant pigment from the group of xanthones, which consists of different parts of the tropical tree species mangosteen ( Garcinia mangostana ) and from some Achariaceae (about Hydnocarpus octandra or H. venenata ) can be obtained.

Chemistry and Properties

The yellow crystalline substance has a 9H- xanthone backbone is poly-substituted with hydroxy, 3-methyl- 2-butenyl and a methoxy group; it is therefore a natural polyphenol. Mangosteen is one of the substances, the components of the Mangostinbaumes gives its yellow color. The odorless and tasteless, golden shiny flakes do not dissolve in water but well in ether, ethanol and dilute acids and alkalis. Even with the publication in Justus Liebigs Annalen der Chemie 1855, the reducing effect - for example on metal oxides - described.

Medical Properties and Uses

In recent years, the mangosteen as well as other natural polyphenols are awarded positive health effects, which is why it comes in the form of additives in health drinks and as a powder in the trade. The mangosteen and xanthones similar are then examined in a variety of biological effects through, such as antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The effect against inflammation due according to studies from 2007 to the inhibition of cyclooxygenases COX -1 and COX -2. At the presumed effect of cancer the α -mangostin is dissolved in the cancer cells from the cell death, known as apoptosis. In cell and organ cultures of mice suppressed α -mangostin in concentrations as low as 1 ug · ml -1 anthracene formation of carcinomas by the carcinogen 7,12- dimethylbenz [a].