Mangostin is a natural xanthonoid, a type of organic compound isolated from various parts of the mangosteen tree (Garcinia mangostana). It is a yellow crystalline solid with a xanthone core structure.
The rind of partially ripe mangosteen fruit yields mangostin and also the related compound ò-mangostin. Researchers conducted optimizations to increase the yield of ñ-mangostin extraction from the pericarp of the mangosteen and were able to achieve 9.2 g/kg DW. The rind of fully ripe fruits also contains the xanthonoids gartanin, 8-disoxygartanin, and normangostin.
Mangostin and a variety of other xanthonoids from mangosteen have been investigated for biological properties including antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities.
In animal studies, mangostin has been found to be a central nervous system depressant which causes sedation, decreased motor activity, and ptosis.
A derivative of mangostin, mangostin-3,6-di-O-glucoside, is a central nervous system depressant and causes a rise in blood pressure.