Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn.): Role in Prevention of Skin Disorders

Several plants and their active constituents have attractive biological properties with potential therapeutic applications. The fruits of Garcinia mangostana (family: Guttiferae) or mangosteen are the most valued part of this plant and are famous for the remarkably pleasant flavor. Therefore, mangosteen was even named as the “queen of tropical fruits.” Mangosteen is a fruit found in tropical countries throughout Asia, such as Thailand, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It also grows reasonably well in areas such as Hawaii and tropical Northern Australia. People in these countries have used the pericarp of G. mangostana as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various illnesses like abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, infected wound, suppuration, and chronic ulcer. Modern research showed that different extracts of G. mangostana possess antioxidant, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumoral, and antiviral activities. The pericarp of G. mangostana is a source of xanthones and other bioactive components. Xanthones have been isolated from pericarp, whole fruit, heartwood, and leaves. α-, β-, and γ-mangostins along with Prenylated xanthones are the most important and studied xanthones. The intention of this chapter is to summarize the beneficial properties of G. mangostana and its bioactive components in prevention of skin disorders.