MANGOSTEEN AND ARTHRITIS

 

Arthritis is a joint disorder that causes swelling, stiffness and pain when you move. The most common forms are osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear on the joints, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder. Risk factors include a family history of arthritis, being over 50, being obese or having experienced repeated joint injury. The juice of the mangosteen, an Asian fruit, contains natural compounds that may help relieve the inflammation and pain of arthritis. Consult your doctor to determine if adding mangosteen to your regimen is advisable for you.

Mangosteen

The mangosteen, or Garcinia mangostana, is a Southeast Asian plant that produces fruit similar in size and shape to a tangerine. The fruit has a thick, reddish rind surrounding creamy, white flesh divided into several segments. Mangosteen is a traditional component of Asian herbal medicine, often used by practitioners to treat gastric upset and diarrhea, or as a topical treatment for skin wounds and infections. It also contains a number of natural compounds called xanthones that may have many health benefits, including treatment of arthritis.

Xanthones

Mangosteen contains over 40 compounds that belong to a class called xanthones, natural antioxidants with many potential health benefits. These compounds are contained in all parts of the fruit, but are most concentrated in the rind or skin. Because of their antioxidant properties, xanthones help remove free radicals, byproducts of metabolism that may potentially damage cells. Two of these compounds, alpha-mangostin and gamma-mangostin, also inhibit the activity of two enzymes, called COX-1 and COX-2, that help cause inflammation and the pain of arthritis.

The Evidence

A number of laboratory studies examined the possible anti-inflammatory activity of xanthones in mangosteen. For example, in the January 2002 "Biochemica Pharmacology," Dr. K. Nakatini and colleagues report finding that gamma-mangostin inhibits COX enzymes and reduces production of prostaglandin, an inflammatory compound, in cell cultures. In addition, Dr. L. Chen and colleagues published a study in the February 2008 "Food and Chemical Toxicology" showing that both alpha-mangostin and gamma-mangostin have anti-inflammatory activity in animals and in cultured cells. These and other studies suggest that mangosteen may reduce or prevent the inflammation caused by arthritis, although clinical studies in humans are needed to confirm this possibility.

Recommendations and Precautions

Mangosteen is available as juice or as a supplement in capsules from health food stores. Although it is generally considered safe, the juice contains sugar and may not be suitable for diabetics. In addition, the antioxidant properties of mangosteen may interfere with the action of certain drugs, including chemotherapy drugs. Consult your doctor to determine if consuming mangosteen is appropriate for your situation.