Garcinia L.: a gold mine of future therapeutics

Abstract

Garcinia, an evergreen polygamous tree and shrub distributed in tropical Asia, Africa and Polynesia belong to the family Clusiaceae. This genus consists of several species which are widely used as a source of edible fruits, timber, resin, and other natural products, and are also utilized in the treatment of various ailments in Indian ayurveda. About 35 species are found in India, many of which are endemic and economically important with immense medicinal properties, and are a rich source of bioactive molecules including xanthones, flavonoids, benzophenones, lactones and phenolic acids. Species of Garcinia grow extensively in semi wild state, in the Western Ghats covering Maharashtra, Goa, coastal areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Nilgiri Hills, the evergreen forests of North East Hill region, West Bengal, Andaman Islands, Orissa, and Bihar among others. Garcinia is the source for a natural diet ingredient Hydroxy Citric Acid (HCA) which is an anti-obesity compound. Most of the species also possess antibacterial, antifungal, anti-ulcerogenic, cardioprotective, anticancer, chemopreventive, free radical scavenging, and antioxidant properties. However, lack of consciousness and awareness coupled with habitat destruction led to the genetic erosion of this forest resource, and many species are threatened which need to be conserved and further studied for its nutrient and phyto-pharmacological properties. This paper reviews the nutritional value, the phytochemical compounds, traditional uses and validated pharmacological properties of different Garcinia species.