Exotic fruits from “the far corners of the globe” have become one of the newest trends for incorporating bioactive functions into cosmetic and personal care ingredients. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical evergreen tree that originated in the Sunda Islands and Moluccas (part of the Malay Archipelago Islands). The superfruit trend is one of the largest growing segments in the cosmetics industry.
Today, Mangosteen trees are cultivated in the Asia, Central Africa, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. After the tree reaches 15 years of age it begins to produce a fruit with a deep red/purple rind the fruit consists of white fleshy aril pods, which resemble a peeled tangerine. Although the fruit is considered to be a delicacy with a flavor that is characterized as a blend between citrus and peach, it is said that the fruit is relatively devoid of nutrients. The reddish purple pericarp however is rich in garcinol and mangostin, which are both xanthones. These phenolic compounds exhibit antioxidant properties, which may provide protection from extrinsic signs of damage caused by reactive oxygen species. FSS Mangosteen Extract G is an aqueous solution that is appropriate for use in skin and hair care applications.
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It is also used in Thailand as a medical plant for the treatment of skin infections and wounds. (Nakatani K, Nakahata N, Arakawa T, Yasuda H, Ohizumi Y. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by gamma-mangostin, a xanthone derivative in mangosteen, in C6 rat glioma cells. Biochem Pharmacol. 2002;63:73–79. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11754876