Mangosteen Cancer Treatment Program

Various studies have shown that phytoceuticals in Mangosteen Skin (in some cases known to be its xanthones) have properties such as: anti-tumor (shrinks tumors), anti-leukemia, antifungal (critical for all cancer patients), antibacterial (to protect DNA), antioxidants (at least two dozen different kinds of xanthones are in the mangosteen fruit), antiproliferation, kills cancer cells and causes apoptosis (programmed cell death) for some types of cancer. This is a pretty impressive list of cancer credentials!

In keeping with the superb anti-cancer properties of many kinds of fruits, especially grapes and berries, mangosteen can be added to this exclusive list.

The mangosteen fruit (Garcinia mangostana L.) is grown in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, India and several other countries. Most of the scientific research on this fruit involves about a half dozen of the two dozen known xanthones in this fruit. Most of the xanthones in Mangosteen have yet to be researched. Mangosteen has a wide range of benefits, perhaps most result from its xanthone phytoceuticals/antioxidants. However, mangosteen also contains: catechins, polyphenols, minerals and vitamins.

Mangosteen is an excellent antioxidant and ranks highly among other plants.

“A new laboratory test known as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) has also shown that an ounce of mangosteen juice (Fruit, Pulp and Skin) has 20 to 30 times the ability to absorb free radicals than one ounce of most fruits and vegetables. The ORAC test is one of the most accurate ways to measure the ability of antioxidants in a certain substance to absorb free radicals. The higher the ORAC score, the better the food is for the body.
Mangosteen and Cancer Studies

Here are some of the xanthones in mangosteen:

• alpha-Mangostin
• beta-Mangostin
• 3-Isomangostin
• Mangostanol
• Gertanin
• Garcinone A
• Garcinone B
• Garcinone C
• Garcinone D
• Garcinone E
• Maclurin

In terms of direct studies on cancer, the following quote applies:

“We found that antiproliferative effect of CME [crude methanolic extract] was associated with apoptosis on breast cancer cell line by determinations of morphological changes and oligonucleosomal DNA fragments. In addition, CME at various concentrations and incubation times were also found to inhibit ROS production. These investigations suggested that the methanolic extract from the pericarp [skin] of Garcinia mangostana had strong antiproliferation, potent antioxidation and induction of apoptosis. Thus, it indicates that this substance can show different activities and has potential for cancer chemoprevention which were dose dependent as well as exposure time dependent.”*

Heres is another study:

“Our results have shown that one of the xanthone derivatives which could be identified as garcinone E has potent cytotoxic effect on all HCC cell lines as well as on other gastric and lung cancer cell lines included in the screen. We suggest that garcinone E may be potentially useful for the treatment of certain types of cancer.”
“Garcinone E, a Xanthone Derivative, has Potent Cytotoxic Effect Against Hepatocellular Carcinome Cell Lines” by Chi-Kuan Ho, Yu-Ling Huang and Chieh-Chih Chen

Some of the more impressive research on mangosteen involve leukemia:

“We examined the effects of six xanthones from the pericarps of mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana, on the cell growth inhibition of human leukemia cell line HL60. All xanthones displayed growth inhibitory effects. Among them, alpha-mangostin showed complete inhibition at 10 microM through the induction of apoptosis.”
“Induction of apoptosis by xanthones from mangosteen in human leukemia cell lines,” by Matsumoto K, Akao Y, Kobayashi E, Ohguchi K, Ito T, Tanaka T, Iinuma M, Nozawa Y.

One of the nice things about mangosteen is not only that it tastes good, but is also anti-diarrheal, meaning you are not likely to get diarrhea from drinking too much Mangosteen. But Remember for the greatest healing benefits of Mangosteen, you must juice all the fruit, (Pulp, Fruit and Skin)

Also suggested is that the Skin of the Mangosteen has many of the Anti Cancer Molecules

Strangely enough, the portion of the mangosteen fruit that we would normally consider edible has very few nutrients. It’s the exocarp, or rind of the mangosteen that provides the greatest benefit. This rind is strongly astringent, containing tannins and other chemicals intended to keep insects away from the fruit. However, it’s the healthiest portion of the mangosteen. Because of the unpleasant taste that comes with processing the mangosteen skin along with the fruit, most mangosteen juices are actually blends. They contain other strongly antioxidant fruits to improve the health benefits and taste of the mangosteen juice.

If you’re looking at purchasing mangosteen products for health purposes, and not just taste, be sure you buy ones that include the processed whole fruit. The overall nutrient profile of the edible fruit portion of mangosteen is surprisingly devoid of nutrients, despite its much praised taste. Therefore, it’s necessary to include the dark-colored, less edible exocarp to receive the health benefits.

* “Antiproliferation, antioxidation and induction of apoptosis by Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) on SKBR3 human breast cancer cell line,” by Moongkarndi P, Kosem N, Kaslungka S, Luanratana O, Pongpan N, Neungton N.

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