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Abstract
The fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana Linn (Guttiferae) is used as an anti-inflammatory
drug in Southeast Asia. Two xanthones, alpha- and gamma-mangostins, were isolated
from the fruit hull of G. mangostana, and both significantly inhibited nitric oxide
(NO) and PGE(2) production from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.
The IC(50) values for the inhibition of NO production by alpha- and gamma-mangostins
were 12.4 and 10.1 microM, respectively. After iNOS enzyme activity was stimulated
by LPS for 12 h, treatment with either alpha- or gamma-mangostin at 5 microg/ml (12.2
and 12.6 microM, respectively) for 24 h did not significantly inhibit NO production.
The data show that the inhibitory activities of alpha- and gamma-mangostins are not
due to direct inhibition of iNOS enzyme activity. On the other hand, expression of
iNOS was inhibited by alpha- and gamma-mangostins in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells,
but not by COX-2. However, the level of PGE(2) production was reduced by the two xanthones.
In an in vivo study, alpha-mangostin significantly inhibited mice carrageenan-induced
paw edema. In conclusion, alpha- and gamma-mangostins from G. mangostana are bioactive
substances with anti-inflammatory effects.