As early as 1933, studies were conducted to compare the whole fruit to single compound extracts taken from the rind. In short, consumption of the whole mangosteen rind delivers benefits far superior to chemical extracts from that same rind. On-going research continues to find valuable properties and several active phytochemicals have already been identified in the fruit, including:

• 39 different xanthones

  These powerful phytonutrients demonstrate unique and valuable nutritional properties
  
  

• catechins

  The mangosteen rind has been shown to have the same level of this active ingredient as found in green tea.
  
  

• proanthocyanidins

  The same benefit touted in grapeseed extract, proanthocyanidins are found in efficacious amounts in the whole mangosteen fruit.
  
  

While scientific researchers are still working to demonstrate how these phytochemicals work together synergistically, the phytonutrients found in the whole fruit are among the most studied, touted and beneficial in existence today. This much is certain: extracts can never match the incredible spectrum of benefits available in the honored mangosteen fruit.

Xanthone Measurement

As awareness and consumption of the mangosteen has increased worldwide, so has the need to better understand the fruit’s most prominent phytonutrient, xanthones. After all, the mangosteen fruit has nature’s most concentrated source of xanthones, a family of vigorous antioxidants.

To establish a rapid, dependable approach for identifying xanthones in their naturally occurring state, researchers were asked to develop a credible, easily duplicable analytical method for testing and measuring xanthones in the rind of the mangosteen fruit, Garcinia mangostana. The whole mangosteen fruit rind was chosen as the standard because its response factor is similar to many of the naturally occurring xanthones.

The peer-reviewed, single lab validated High Performance Liquid Chromatography (or HPLC) analysis of selected xanthones in mangosteen fruit study was published in the June 2007 issue of the Journal of Separation Science. The study utilized AOAC protocols. AOAC International is a not-for-profit scientific association that sets standard methods, allowing consumers to have confidence in analytical results obtained from scientific analysis.

An 80:20 acetone/water mixture was used to extract the xanthones from dried, ground whole mangosteen fruit rind. A total of six xanthones were purified by preparative HPLC, utilizing the same solvent system and UV detection as for the analytical method. Each compound has unique UV absorption spectra that allows for easy identification of the xanthone found naturally in the mangosteen fruit.

The study establishes a credible scientific method for testing and measuring xanthones. Six specific xanthones have been identified, and their relative response factors determined. Although additional xanthones are in the process of being identified and measured, this research ensures a more consistent and reliable marketing of mangosteen products to consumers relative to xanthone content claims.

Xanthone Bioavailability

Study Overview

A pre-clinical, preliminary 28-day study of XANGO^® Juice identified the bioavailability of xanthones to determine how many xanthones the body actually absorbs and the pathway they travel. A validated xanthone analysis method was used to measure the quantities of the alpha-mangostin xanthone found in blood plasma.

Researchers

Michael W. Pugh, B.S., XANGO research and development senior manager, Michael Pugh has more than 15 years experience in the natural products industry and is currently head of Research & Development for XANGO, LLC. In this capacity, Pugh has implemented safety studies, initiated analytical work and validation, established pharmacokinetics and oversees all clinical work.

Charles River Laboratories Charles River Laboratories is a pre-clinical lab that was established in 1947. It is world renowned for its research models in safety, pharmacokinetics, and in-vitro work. It employs 7,500 employees, including 500 researchers that include PhDs, MDs and DVMs.

Methods

The validated plasma method used LC-MS/MS technique to identify and quantify the amounts of alpha-mangostin in the plasma. This new analysis can quantify levels as low as 1 nanogram per ml (ng/ml).

Results

The preliminary research demonstrates that the body absorbs xanthones in low dosages and that very high levels of xanthone consumption actually result in decreased absorption efficiency. In addition, preliminary results showed long-term daily consumption of XANGO Juice increases the levels of xanthones in the blood.

More specifically, the study showed the following regarding alpha-mangostin:

• In approximately 3.5 hours, the xanthone has been absorbed during digestion.
• Females have a more efficient absorption rate than males.
• Long-term consumption of XANGO Juice causes a blood loading effect.
• Alpha-mangostin is absorbed the way nature intended, at very low doses of consumption, such as the amount contained in XANGO Juice.
• At very high levels, the absorption efficiency of the xanthone decreases
  

This study allows for a solid foundation for future clinical trials. Also, these preliminary findings show artificially inflating a product with xanthone extracts does not add any value.

Terms

Mangosteen fruit (Garcinia mangostana)

An evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia that has leathery leaves and large edible fruit. Latin name: Garcinia mangostana. The fruit with a hard, reddish-brown rind and sweet, juicy pulp produced by the mangosteen tree. Also known as the “Queen of Fruits.”

The whole mangosteen fruit, nature's most abundant source, contains 39 different xanthones (as found in XANGO Juice).

Xanthones

C13H8O2 a unique class of biologically active compounds possessing numerous bioactive capabilities. They are a unique class of phytonutrients. Xanthones—found in the whole mangosteen fruit can promote general health.

Phytonutrients

Any of various bioactive chemical compounds found in plants, such as xanthones, considered to be beneficial to human health. Also referred to as phytochemical.

Pericarp/Rind

The walls of a ripened fruit, consist of three layers, the pepicarp, mesocarp and endocarp. Also referred to as the rind.