Xanthones Defined

Xanthones are a class of plant derived nutrients or "phytonutrients." They have been demonstrated in numerous scientific studies to hold tremendous nutritional value. Found to exhibit strong antioxidant activity, xanthones disarm free radicals in the body and enhance and support your body's immune system. Although xanthones exist in small amounts throughout nature, it is found in concentrated amounts in the Pericarp of the mangosteen fruit.

There are over 20 known forms of xanthones naturally occurring in the Pericarp, the two most widely studied are Alpha Mangostin and Gamma Mangostin.

If xanthones from mangosteen are so powerful, why haven't I heard about them?

The people of Southeast Asia are very familiar with the prized mangosteen fruit and Asian Health Practitioners have long made use of Pericarp for a myriad of nutritional uses. The mangosteen fruit, however, has never been introduced to the Western world and much of the science behind xanthones is predominantly available to those in the medical community until recently. Many of the clinical studies on xanthones have been done in universities and testing facilities throughout Asia and have recently started to catch the attention of Western researchers.

What is the most potent source of xanthones?

According to the research, the most concentrated source of xanthones found in nature is in the Pericarp (rind) of the mangosteen fruit. The majority of clinical studies on xanthones specify that the xanthones used were from the mangosteen Pericarp.

Does the world need another phytonutrient?
 
Every industry from automobiles to computers constantly creates better ways to improve upon their products. Xanthones represent the very latest that nutritional science has to offer. Much more than a great antioxidant, xanthones are a class of multi-functional phytonutrients poised to raise the bar in the nutritional arena! At our company, we've not only launched a category creator, we are the next generation of supplementation.

What are some of the studied benefits of xanthones?

Studies have demonstrated that xanthones have the ability to offer support in the following areas:
Cholesterol concerns 1,2
Inflammation/pain response/Cox 2 inhibition 3
Skin conditions 4
Microbiological balance 5
Allergy support 6
Immune system support 7

1. Free Radic Res 2000 Nov;33(5):643-59. Inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation by prenylated xanthones derived from mangostin. Mahabusarakam W, Proudfoot J, Taylor W, Croft K. Chemistry Department, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand.

2. Williams P, Ongsakul M, Proudfoot J, Croft K, Beilin L. 1994. Mangostin inhibits the oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein. Free Rad Res. 23:175-184.

3. Biochem Pharmacol 2002 Jan 1;63(1):73-9. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by gamma-mangostin, a xanthone derivative in mangosteen, in C6 rat glioma cells. Nakatani K, Nakahata N, Arakawa T, Yasuda H, Ohizumi Y. Department of Pharmaceutical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, 980-8578, Sendai, Japan.

4. Farnsworth N. 1992. Thai Medicinal Plants. Bangkok, Thailand: Medicinal Plant Information Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University.

5. Planta Med 1983 May;48(1):59-60. Antimicrobial activities of Garcinia mangostana.

Sundaram BM, Gopalakrishnan C, Subramanian S, Shankaranarayanan D, Kameswaran L.

6. Inhibitions of histamine release and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by mangosteen, a Thai medicinal plant.

Nakatani K, Atsumi M, Arakawa T, Oosawa K, Shimura S, Nakahata N, Ohizumi Y. o Department of Pharmaceutical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.

7. J Med Assoc Thai 1997 Sep;80 Suppl 1:S149-54. Immunopharmacological activity of polysaccharide from the pericarb of mangosteen garcinia: phagocytic intracellular killing activities. Chanarat P, Chanarat N, Fujihara M, Nagumo T.

Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

8. Peres V, Nagem T, Faustino de Oliveira F. 2000. Tetraoxygenated naturally occurring xanthones. Phytochemistry. 55:683-710

More Benefits of Xanthones

-Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal
- maintain intestinal health
-strengthen the immune system
-support cartilage and joint function/flexibility
-promote a healthy respiratory system
-prevents loss of essential nutrients

Xanthones in Mangosteen (40+)