Mangosteen Research and Inflammation
Arthritis pain is caused by inflammation around the joints, that’s why so many arthritis sufferers are prescribed anti-inflammatory medication. During the last 10 years or so, independent researchers from all over the world have concluded that low-level chronic inflammation plays a central role in many disease processes.
In the Feb 23, 2004 edition of the Time Magazine, it was stated
” As scientists delve deeper into the fundamental causes of illnesses, they are starting to see links to an age-old immunological defense mechanism called inflammation.. Hardly a week goes by without the publication of yet another study uncovering a new way that chronic inflammation does harm to the body.”
While scientists have been looking for the perfect anti-inflammatory medicine (it is common knowledge that existing medicines have unwanted side effects), Southeastern Asians were using something natural. People in Southeast Asia have been using the mangosteen fruit for centuries, to maintain their health and cure their ailments.
After a lot of research on the fruit, modern scientists are in close agreement. They’ve found that the fruit has anti-inflammatory abilities, which means it is helpful in preventing and possibly even stopping a wide range of diseases.
The Role of the COX 2 enzyme and Inflammation
When there is inflammation, the pain and swelling is caused by something called prostaglandins. These are made from the COX 2 enzyme. These prostaglandins are sent to an area of injury to help protect it from further injury. However, sometimes the inflammation process overreacts, and sometimes the injury does not fully heal and the inflammation remains at a low level, which results in chronic pain.
Anti-inflammatory drugs work by blocking the action of the COX 1 and COX 2 enzymes. As a result, there are fewer prostaglandins. However, these drugs can cause bleeding problems and stomach irritation because they block COX 1.
The mangosteen is a natural COX 2 inhibitor because of the xanthones found in the pericarp (rind) of the fruit. Many different studies have demonstrated that gamma mangostin, one of the xanthones in mangosteen, dramatically slows down the production of the COX 2 enzyme, which is known to be the major precursor to inflammation. Different researchers did these studies in different laboratories. See 1,2 below.
One study showed that the mangosteen extract was a more potent anti-inflammatory agent than several prescription anti-inflammatory medicines currently used for gout and arthritis.
Further information can be found about this research at the following..
1. Kurzel F, Hagel Ch, Zapf S, Meissneer H, Westphal M. Giese A. Cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors and thromboxane synthase inhibitor differentially regulate migration arrest, growth inhibition and apoptosis in human glioma cells.” Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2002 Jan: 144(1):71-87.
2. Nakatani K, Nakahat N, Arakawa T. Yasuda H. Ohizumi Y. 2001. “Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by g-mangostin, a xanthone derivative in mangosteen, in C6 rate glioma cells.” Biochecmical Pharmacology. Volume 63, Issue 1, 1 January 2002, Pages 73-79.
3. Nakatani, K, Arsumi M, Arakawa T, Oosawa k. Shimura S, Nakahata N, Ohizumi Y. “Inhibitions of histamine release and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by mangosteen, a Thai medicinal plant.” Biol Pharm Bull, 2002 Sep: 25(9): 1137-41. Pub Med
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Posted by mangosteen on June 23rd, 2009 filed in inflammation
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