Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen, Clusiaceae) has a long history of use as a medical plant, mostly in Southeast Asia. This is a review of the phytochemistry and pharmacology of mangosteen. Traditionally mangosteen is famous for its antiinflammatory properties and is used in the treatment of skin infections and wounds. Other applications include the therapy of various conditions such as dysentery, different urinary disorders, cystitis and gonorrhoea. This review highlights the development of this botanical drug into a widely used nutraceutical. Products derived from G. mangostana are now distributed increasingly all over the world. This has given rise to a concomitant increase in research on the phytochemical constituents and biological activity of mangosteen. Central to the biological activity of the species are xanthones which are reviewed in detail. A comprehensive assessment of the biological activities of individual xanthones as well as extracts of G. mangostana is included. In addition, its potential in terms of developing novel drug leads is assessed. Products containing its fruits are now sold widely as 'liquid botanical supplements', but evidence for the health benefits of these products is still lacking. As shown here, a serious weakness in our knowledge is the lack of clinical data and it is not yet clear to what extent the findings about pharmacological activities are of potential clinical relevance.

This study provides in vitro evidence for the use of the Thai plants, most importantly Gynura pseudochina var. hispida, Oroxylum indicum and Muehlenbeckia platyclada as Thai anti-inflammatory remedies and these plants are now a priority for further phytochemical research.

FRAP (r = 0.908, p < 0.01) and DPPH activities (r = 0.648, p < 0.01

Gynura pseudochina (L.) var. hispida Thv. (Asteraceae) has been used in traditional medicine in Thailand for the treatment of conditions associated with chronic and acute inflammation. In continuation of our search for bioactive natural products from Thai medicinal plants, G. pseudochina var. hispida showed potential in vitro NF-ĸB (Nuclear Factor kappa B) inhibitory activity and, therefore, was chosen for bio-assay-guided isolation of active compounds. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanol extract of the leaves of G. pseudochina var. hispida led to the isolation and identification, by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods, of four compounds previously not reported from this poorly studied species: Quercetin 3-rutinoside (1), 3,5-di-caffeoylquinic acid (2), 4,5-di-caffeoylquinic acid (3), and 5-monocaffeoylquinic acid (4). This paper discusses the current knowledge of these active components as NF-ĸB inhibitors, which lends some support to the use of this plant in traditional medicine. Potential risks associated with pyrrolizidine alkaloids will, however, have to be investigated further.

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