Mangosteen1
The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical fruit widely cultivated in South and Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. In traditional medicine, mangosteen peel is used to treat digestive disorders such as stomach ache, diarrhea, and dysentery; skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema; and wound healing, or pus.2
Morphology of Mangosteen
The mangosteen is a round, smooth berry, 4–7 cm in diameter, that turns deep purple when ripe. The rind is about 0.9 cm thick, purple in color, and hard when ripe. It contains a yellow sap and has persistent sepals at the base and a persistent stigma.7
Mangosteen Peel Active Compounds
Xanthones are the main bioactive components in mangosteen rind, and their concentration is much higher than in the fruit's flesh. The most abundant xanthones in mangosteen rind are α- and γ-mangostin.2
Health Benefits of Mangosteen Peel
Various studies have shown that the mangosteen peel is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals, which can trigger various diseases.2 Based on literature studies, several studies have shown the efficacy of mangosteen peel, including:
- Antioxidants and skin health
Xanthones have strong antioxidant properties to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.3
Literature Study:
- Subject:11 healthy women aged 32-48 years
- Dosage: 100 mg of mangosteen peel water extract (EKM) /day
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Results: There was a significant decrease in markers of tissue damage/aging. There was an increase in skin elasticity and facial skin moisture.4
- Immunity
Mangosteen peel extract has also been proven to help maintain the body's immune system, including maintaining important immune cells (CD4), helping to reduce inflammation and inhibiting the growth of abnormal cells. so it is useful as a supporter of disease prevention.3
Literature Study:
- Subjects: HIV-positive patients who have been on antiretroviral therapy for more than 6 months.
- Research dose: Mangosteen peel extract (MPE) 2300 mg/day
- Duration: 30 days
- Results: MPE significantly increased the number of immune cells (CD4+ T cells). MPE helps reduce high levels of free radicals (ROS) caused by HIV infection and drug side effects. It was concluded that MPE can be used as an adjunct therapy alongside antiviral drugs to support the immune system of HIV patients.3
Safety
Mangosteen peel is included in the Indonesian Original Herbal Medicine Formulary [Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia No. 6 of 2016] with the indication of cancer Palliative (Ca mammary, Ca gastric, Ca lung, Ca colon, leukemia, hepatoma). From the results of a literature study on subchronic toxicity tests, oral extract doses of 400, 600, and 1,200 mg/kg BW in mice every day for 12 weeks, did not show changes in behavior, eating patterns, growth or health, as well as hematological values.5
Keywords: Garcinia mangostana; Mangosteen Peel; Xanthone; Antioxidant; Immune System; Anticancer; Skin Health
Footer References
- References
- Image: shutterstock.com
- Rizaldy D, Hartati R, Nadhifa T, Fidrianny I. Chemical Compounds and Pharmacological Activities of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) - Updated Review. Biointerface Research om Applied Chemistry.2022;12(2): 2503 - 2516.
- Kalick LS, Khan HA, Maung E, et al. Mangosteen for malignancy prevention and intervention: Current evidence, molecular mechanisms, and future perspectives. Pharmacol Res. 2023;188:106630. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106630.
- Ohno R, Moroishi N, Sugawa H, et al. Mangosteen pericarp extract inhibits the formation of pentosidine and ameliorates skin elasticity. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2015; 57(1): 27-32. doi:10.3164/jcbn.15-13
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 6 of 2016 concerning the Formulary of Original Indonesian Herbal Medicines. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia; 2016.
- Herrera-Aco DR, Medina-Campos ON, Pedraza-Chaverri J, Sciutto-Conde E, Rosas-Salgado G, Fragoso-Gonzalez G. Alpha-mangostin: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on established collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice. Food Chem Toxicol. 2019;124:300-315. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2018.12.018.
- Verheij EWM. Garcinia mangostana L. In: Verheij EWM, Coronel RE, eds. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 2: Edible Fruits and Nuts. PROSEA Foundation; 1991. Accessed April 11, 2026. http://prota4u.org/prosea.
