Usage, biological activity, and safety of selected botanical dietary supplements consumed in the United States

Abstract

In view of the continuous growth of the botanical dietary supplement industry and the increased popularity of lesser known or exotic botanicals, recent findings are described on the phytochemical composition and biological activities of five selected fruits consumed in the United States, namely, açaí, noni, mangosteen, black chokeberry, and maqui berry. A review of the ethnomedicinal uses of these plants has revealed some similarities ranging from wound-healing to the treatment of fever and infectious diseases. Laboratory studies on açaí have shown both its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro, and more importantly, its neuroprotective properties in animals. Anthraquinones and iridoid glucosides isolated from noni fruit induce the phase II enzyme quinone reductase (QR), and noni fruit juice exhibited antitumor and antidiabetic activities in certain animal models. Antitumorigenic effects of mangosteen in animal xenograft models of human cancers have been attributed to its xanthone content, and pure α-mangostin was shown to display antineoplastic activity in mice despite a reported low oral bioavailability. Work on the less extensively investigated black chokeberry and maqui berry has focused on recent isolation studies and has resulted in the identification of bioactive secondary metabolites with QR-inducing and hydroxyl-radical scavenging properties. On the basis of the safety studies and toxicity case reports described herein, these fruits may be generally considered as safe. However, cases of adulteration found in a commercialized açaí product and some conflicting results from mangosteen safety studies warrant further investigation on the safety of these marketed botanical dietary supplements.

Current status and contemporary approaches to the discovery of antitumor agents from higher plants

“…The so-called "queen of fruits", Garcinia mangostana L. (Clusiaceae), is a juicy, slightly sweet and sour tasting fruit native to Southeast Asia and grown primarily in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand (Benatrehina et al, 2018;Ramage et al, 2004). The purple mangosteen has been cultivated in these tropical areas for the past two centuries not just for commercial purposes but also owing to the medicinal properties of its fruits.…”

“…In folkloric medicine, various plant parts of G. magostana have been used to treat various conditions, such as mucus accumulation, dysentery, diarrhea, and fever, among other ailments (Chin and Kinghorn, 2008). More recently, mangosteen dietary supplements (in powder, capsule, tablet, cream, and fruit juice form) have attracted much attention in the U.S. and elsewhere, due to being promoted as a "superfruit", despite relatively limited human and clinical studies having been performed (Benatrehina et al, 2018;Gutierrez-Orozco and Failla, 2013). Moreover, mangosteen pericarps may be blended with the juices of several berries, cherry, grapes, apples and pears (Gutierrez-Orozco and Failla, 2013).…”

“…The sales of botanical dietary supplements has increased by 7.7% in 2016 compared with the previous years, with horehound, cranberry, and echinacea being the top three most sold supplements in this category in the U.S. (Benatrehina et al, 2018;Smith et al, 2017). Some of the other top-selling botanicals include black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.), flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.…”

“…f.) (Smith et al, 2017). For some botanical supplements scientific literature reports have appeared, supporting their potential use in treating various diseases (Benatrehina et al, 2018). In addition, supplements such as turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens (W. Bartram) Small), and garlic (Allium sativum L.) have been used by some patients with, for example, cancer or cardiovascular problems, owing to their potentially beneficial supportive effects (Gonzalez-Vallinas et al, 2013).…”

“…Since a discussion of all botanical dietary supplements linked to cancer support is beyond the scope of this review article, focus has been placed on two well-established dietary supplements, Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen) and Morinda citrifolia L. (noni), which are mentioned in turn in the following two sub-sections. These two botanical dietary supplements have been subjected to extensive prior work by the current authors, in relation to cancer, as reviewed recently (Benatrehina et al, 2018). Other examples of widely used herbal supplements in terms of their potential anticarcinogenic effects are shown in Table 3.…”