Mangosteen Pericarp Research Articles

Insight assessment of the morphological and photocatalytic properties of ZnO-anchored graphitic carbon nitride interlayer composite for emerging antibiotic removals in water under visible light

In this study, the effect of different zinc oxide (ZnO) compositions anchored on graphitic carbon nitride (CN) was investigated through characterization and the photocatalytic degradation performance on the antibiotics tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, and erythromycin A. The ZnO was prepared through the phyto-synthesis route using Garcinia mangostana pericarp extract; whilst the CN was fabricated using melamine, an organic and cheap carbon nitride source. For the ZnO-anchored CN (ZnO@CN), the composition of 15% of ZnO exhibited an adequate balance of each component effect and was determined to be superior in properties. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images revealed the intercalation of the nanoparticles between the sheets, greatly infusing the photocatalytic and electrochemical properties. The bandgap modification of the material showed that the overall bandgap was reduced to 2.42 eV, suitable for operating in the visible region and creating multiple free radicals. For the photocatalytic deterioration of tetracycline, the optimal conditions of 15 mg of the superior material, 50 mL of the 10-ppm concentration, and 120 min of irradiation were affirmed, which removed over 95% of the antibiotic. Further investigation into other types of antibiotics reveals the efficiency was all higher than 50%. Through the mechanism proposal, the degradation pathways were elucidated regarding the molecular structure of the antibiotic.

Isolation and Biological Evaluation of Alfa-Mangostin as Potential Therapeutic Agents against Liver Fibrosis.

The increased proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are associated with liver fibrosis development. To date, there are no FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Augmentation of HSCs apoptosis is one of the resolutions for liver fibrosis. In this study, we extracted α-mangostin (1,3,6-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-2,8-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-9H-xanthen-9-one) from the fruit waste components of mangosteen pericarp. The isolated α-mangostin structure was determined and characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and compared with those known compounds. The intracellular signaling pathway activities of α-mangostin on Transforming growth factors-beta 1 (TGF-β1) or Platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGF-BB) induced HSCs activation and were analyzed via Western blot and Real-time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (Q-PCR). α-Mangostin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in HSCs were measured by seahorse assay and caspase-dependent cleavage. The in vivo anti-fibrotic effect of α-mangostin was assessed by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment mouse model. The data showed that α-mangostin treatment inhibited TGF-β1-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in HSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Regarding the PDGF-BB-induced HSCs proliferation signaling pathways, α-mangostin pretreatment suppressed the phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38. The activation of caspase-dependent apoptosis and dysfunction of mitochondrial respiration (such as oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, and maximal respiratory capacity) were observed in α-mangostin-treated HSCs. The CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model showed that the administration of α-mangostin significantly decreased the expression of the fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen-a2 (col1a2), desmin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)) as well as attenuated hepatic collagen deposition and liver damage. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that α-mangostin attenuates the progression of liver fibrosis through inhibiting the proliferation of HSCs and triggering apoptosis signals. Thus, α-mangostin may be used as a potential novel therapeutic agent against liver fibrosis.

α-Mangostin Effectively Inhibits Chikungunya Virus Replication in HepG2 Cells

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-transmitted Alphavirus endemic to countries in Africa and Asia, including Indonesia, which causes debilitating arthralgia which can last several years. The rapid spread of CHIKV to new areas makes the discovery of antiviral agents a high priority. α-mangostin is a xanthone from mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp and has antiviral activity against Hepatitis C and Dengue viruses. We investigated the antiviral activity of α-mangostin against CHIKV in HepG2 cells in pre-, post- and combination treatments compared to the common antiviral medicine ribavirin, as well their cytotoxicity. Our results show dose-responsive reductions in viral titer in all treatment regimes, with post- and combination treatments being more effective than pre-treatment only (IC50 = 7.79, 5.99 and 6.39 µM, respectively), but with poor specificity (SI = 1.39, 1.81 and 1.70, respectively) compared to ribavirin. Neither compound showed a direct virucidal effect. These results suggest α-mangostin effectively inhibits CHIKV replication in this cell line.

Biological Properties in Relation to the Health-Promoting Effects of Independent and Combined Garcinia mangostana Pericarp and Curcuma in Lean Wistar Albino Rats

With the increase in verifications and proofs highlighting the association between diet and health, several food products, such as phenolic rich fruits and vegetables, have emerged as possessing potential health benefits. Plants rich with fiber and phenolic content have long been considered as a health-promoting dietary intervention. Therefore, the present work aimed to test the independent and combined potential benefits of mangosteen pericarp extract (MPE) and curcuma rhizome extract (CRE) consumption through an in vivo study on Wister albino rats. The data demonstrated that the three nutritional interventions had no effect on serotonin or glutamate, but dopamine was considerably increased in response to the combined effects of MPE and curcuma (p ˂ 0.025). The anti-inflammatory potency of independent MPE and curcuma, as well as their combined effects, recorded lower levels of IL12 in all groups compared to controls (p ˂ 0.05), and only a considerably lower IL-6 in combination treatment only (p ˂ 0.028). The three dietary interventions dramatically lowered leptin levels, with the combined treatment significantly lower than the healthy control group (p ˂ 0.001). The combined treatment significantly improved levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and GSH as indicators of oxidative stress and antioxidant capability. Our data reported anti-dyslipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic effects of the three studied nutritional interventions, with the independent curcuma being the most effective anti-hyperglycemic compound (p ˂ 0.009). Collectively, the three used nutritional intervention strategies demonstrated promising health-promoting effects with no side effects.

Potency of Xanthone Derivatives from Garcinia mangostana L. for COVID-19 Treatment through Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 and Main Protease Blockade: A Computational Study.

ACE2 and Mpro in the pathology of SARS-CoV-2 show great potential in developing COVID-19 drugs as therapeutic targets, due to their roles as the "gate" of viral entry and viral reproduction. Of the many potential compounds for ACE2 and Mpro inhibition, α-mangostin is a promising candidate. Unfortunately, the potential of α-mangostin as a secondary metabolite with the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity is hindered due to its low solubility in water. Other xanthone isolates, which also possess the xanthone core structure like α-mangostin, are predicted to be potential alternatives to α-mangostin in COVID-19 treatment, addressing the low drug-likeness of α-mangostin. This study aims to assess the potential of xanthone derivative compounds in the pericarp of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) through computational study. The study was conducted through screening activity using molecular docking study, drug-likeness prediction using Lipinski's rule of five filtration, pharmacokinetic and toxicity prediction to evaluate the safety profile, and molecular dynamic study to evaluate the stability of formed interactions. The research results showed that there were 11 compounds with high potential to inhibit ACE2 and 12 compounds to inhibit Mpro. However, only garcinone B, in addition to being indicated as active, also possesses a drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity profile that was suitable. The molecular dynamic study exhibited proper stability interaction between garcinone B with ACE2 and Mpro. Therefore, garcinone B, as a xanthone derivative isolate compound, has promising potential for further study as a COVID-19 treatment as an ACE2 and Mpro inhibitor.

Optimization of the Extraction System of Total Phenolic from Garcia mangostana using Response Surface Methodology

Mangosteen (Garcia mangostana) consist of 40% flesh and 60% pericarp. Mangosteen pericarp has unpleasant taste of bitterness and usually disposed as waste. However, mangosteen pericarp contains xanthones which are polyphenolic compound that proven has high antioxidant activity were found abundantly in mangosteen pericarp. This study aims to investigate water extraction optimum operating conditions to be applied in industry by using RAM (response surface methodology) for the recovery of total phenolic extract from the pericarp of mangosteen. Box-Behnken experimental design used 3 factors. Solid-to-liquid ratio (g/ml), temperature (°C) and extraction time (hour) were analysed to compare the response of total phenolic content (TPC). Under the operating conditions, the highest TPC is 0.906 (g/l) at the factors of 1:10 (g/ml), 65 °C, and 3-hour. The optimum parameters determined by using RSM are at 1:10 (g/ml), 59.74 °C, and 2.87-hour with TPC 0.835 (g/l).

Anti-inflammatory Potential of Mangosteen Pericarp Extract (Garcinia mangostana L.)

Mangosteen pericarp (Garcinia mangostana L.) has been used as an active ingredient in numerous traditional medicine formulations. However, their function as an anti-inflammatory agent has yet to be fully understood. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a mediator that is essential for the development of pro-inflammatory reactions. Hence, MIF activity is often associated with inflammatory diseases and its inhibition could therefore be used as an approach to assess the potential of a material as anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, MIF was exposed with mangosteen pericarp extracts in order to assess the possible anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. The type of mangosteen pericarp extract that possesses the greatest potential as MIF inhibitor and its IC50 value were determined. Based on the results, n-hexane extract of mangosteen pericarp possesses the activity as MIF inhibitor with an IC50 of 4.24 mg/L, and therefore could potentially be used as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Influence of Different Drying Methods on Anthocyanins Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) Pericarps and LC-MS Analysis of the Active Extract.

Mangosteen pericarps (MP) often end up as agricultural waste despite being rich in powerful natural antioxidants such as anthocyanins and xanthones. This study compared the effect of different drying processes and times on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of MP. Fresh MP were subjected to 36 and 48 h of freeze-drying (-44 ± 1 °C) and oven-drying (45 ± 1 °C), and 30 and 40 h of sun-drying (31 ± 3 °C). The samples were analyzed for anthocyanins composition, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activities, and color characteristics. Analysis of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with electrospray ionization identified two anthocyanins in MP: cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. Overall, the drying process, time, and their interactions significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the phenolic compounds, antioxidant activities, and color in MP extracts. Both freeze-drying after 36 h (FD36) and 48 h (FD48) possessed significantly (p < 0.05) higher total anthocyanins (2.1-2.2 mg/g) than other samples. However, FD36 was associated with significantly (p < 0.05) higher TPC (~94.05 mg GAE/g), TFC (~621.00 mg CE/g), and reducing power (~1154.50 μmol TE/g) compared to FD48. Moreover, FD36 is more efficient for industrial applications due to less time and energy consumption. Subsequently, obtained dried MP extracts could be further utilized as an alternative to synthetic food colorants.

General toxicity studies of alpha mangostin from Garcinia mangostana: A systematic review

Alpha mangostin (AM), the main xanthone derivative contained in mangosteen pericarp (Garcinia mangostana/GM), has many pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antiproliferation, antiinflammatory, and anticancer. Several general toxicity studies of AM have been previously reported to assess the safety profile of AM. Toxicity studies were carried out by various methods such as on test animals, interventions, and various routes of administration, but the test results have not been well documented. Our study aimed to systematically summarizes research on the safety profile of GM containing AM through general toxicity tests to get the LD50 and NOAEL values, and so, can be used as a database related to AM toxicity profiles. This could facilitate other researchers in determining further development of GM-or-AM-based products. Pubmed, Google scholar, ScienceDirect, and EBSCO were chosen to collect the articles while ARRIVE 2.0 was used to evaluate the quality and risk-of-bias of the in vivo toxicity studies included in this systematic review. A total of 20 articles met the eligibility criteria and were reviewed to predict the LD50 and NOAEL of AM. The results showed that the LD50 of AM is between >15.480 mg/kgBW to ≤6000 mg/kgBW while the NOAEL value is between <100 and ≤2000 mg/kgBW.

Application of Integrated Postharvest Technology for Maintaining the Quality of Methyl Bromide Fumigated Mangosteen Fruit

Methyl bromide fumigation aims to control insect infestation in mangosteen fruit before export which leads to reduce the fruit quality. Thus, the objective of this study was to control the quality of methyl bromide fumigated mangosteen using integrated postharvest technology. Fruit were prepared by fumigating with 32 g m-3 for 2 hours, washed with tap water, surfaced disinfestation with sodium hypochlorite. The prepared fruit samples were divided to treat with different methods as follows; 1) fruit were coated with ethanolic shellac-modified coconut oil (ES-MCO) and then packed in low density polyethylene (LDPE) bag containing ethylene inhibitor (1-MCP sachet), 2) fruit were coated with ES-MCO and packed in LDPE bag, 3) fruit were treated with ES-MCO and packed in nylon net bag, and 4) fruit were non-coated and packed in nylon net bag (control). All fruit samples were kept at 13ºC for 20 days (as the shipment stimulation) and then transferred to 25ºC for 2 days (as the shelf-life stimulation). The results revealed that after 15 days of storage fruit were treated with ES-MCO + LDPE bag + 1-MCP sachet showed the highest reduction of fruit rot disease and this treatment helped to delay the drying and browning of mangosteen calyx, chlorophyll degradation of the calyx, and reduce weight loss, the respiration rate and ethylene production. However after storage for 20 days, the pericarp of mangosteen in fruit treated with ES-MCO + LDPE bag + 1-MCP sachet became hard, and its shelf-life was 15 days.

Mangosteen Garcinia mangostana L. simplicia effect on bone structure and behaviour of Wader Fish Rasbora lateristriata (Bleeker, 1854) Embryo

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) is a fruit originating from the tropics which belongs to the Clusiaceae family and has become a commodity with many enthusiasts from various countries. Previous research has shown that mangosteen peel extract has tremendous potential to be developed as an ingredient in herbal medicine. Mangosteen fruit contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antihistamine, antidiabetic, anticancer, and so on. The results of the phytochemical screening test of 95% ethanol extract on mangosteen rind showed that it contained flavonoid compounds, saponins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, tannins and polyphenols. There is no data on the effect of exposure to mangosteen pericarip simplicia, therefore it is necessary to study the effect of exposure to mangosteen peel decoction on animal models of Wader Pari Fish (Rasbora lateristriata), with parameters such as morphology and bone structure in larvae wader fish (Rasbora lateristriata). Alcian Blue Alizarin Red staining were used to study bone structure in wader fish (Rasbora lateristriata). Data were statistical analysis with SPSS ver. 25 and the significance was determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The morphological examination results revealed that the embryo and larvae had no morphological abnormalities. The cranial cartilage examination also revealed that the larvae had no abnormalities, the length and the angle of the cranial cartilage did not change between the control and mangosteen pericarp simplicia treatment.

Plant-mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Mangosteen Pericarp Extract and their Antimicrobial Potential

Introduction: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using mangosteen pericarp ethanolic extract (MPEE) as a source of bioreductants and their antimicrobial activity against common foodborne pathogens was evaluated. Methods: Characterization of MPEE was conducted using phytochemical screening, total phenolic content analysis, and DPPH (antioxidant) assay. Synthesis AgNPs and optimization studies were monitored using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the AgNPs, and resazurin microtiter assay was used for antimicrobial testing. Results: Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, quinones, anthraquinones, and tannins were confirmed present in the extract. TPC and IC50 of MPEE were 0.192 mg GAE/mg extract and 0.277 mg/mL, respectively. A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak within 450-403 nm confirmed the formation of AgNPs. At pH 7, the optimum reaction conditions were 45°C and 3 h. Meanwhile, at pH 9, the optimum reaction conditions were 27°C and 0.5 h. The sizes of nanoparticles synthesized at pH 7 and pH 9 were 13-35 nm and 7- 38 nm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of AgNPs produced at pH 7 were 1.45, 2.81, and 2.93 ug/mL for S. aureus, E.coli, and B. cereus, respectively. For AgNPs synthesized at pH 9, the MIC90 were 2.93, 3.02, and 5.24 ug/mL, for the same microorganisms, respectively. Conclusion: MPEE was able to successfully synthesize AgNPs. Compared to chloramphenicol, AgNPs exhibited better antimicrobial activity, which can address the growing concern of drug resistance in certain pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the use of MPEE provides a green and sustainable alternative to synthesizing AgNPs.

α-Mangostin Inhibits the Activation of Myofibroblasts via Downregulation of Linc-ROR-Mediated TGFB1/Smad Signaling

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a premalignant disorder and persistent activation of myofibroblasts is implicated in this pathological progression. Increasing attention has been addressed towards non-coding RNA-regulated myofibroblasts activities and the effects of phytochemicals on non-coding RNA modulation are of great importance. In the present study, we examined the anti-fibrosis property of α-mangostin, a xanthone isolated from the pericarp of mangosteen. We found that α-mangostin exhibited inhibitory potency in myofibroblast activities and expression of fibrosis markers at the concentrations that caused neglectable damage to normal cells. Apart from the downregulation of TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling, we found that α-mangostin attenuated the expression of long non-coding RNA LincROR as well. Our results demonstrated that the effects of α-mangostin on myofibroblast activation were reverted when LincROR was overexpressed. Additionally, we showed the expression of LincROR in OSF specimens was elevated and silencing of LincROR successfully attenuated myofibroblast characteristics and TGF-β1/Smad2 activation. Taken together, these findings indicated that the anti-fibrosis effects of α-mangostin merit consideration and may be due to the attenuation of LincROR.

Control release of α-mangostin by a novel dual-polysaccharides delivery system for colitis treatment under simulated gastrointestinal conditions

The poor hydrophilia and strong cytotoxicity of α-mangostin, a major component of xanthones from pericarps of mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana L.), restrict its application in functional food. To overcome its shortage, a series of alginate/xanthan gum or alginate/κ-carrageenan hydrogels loaded with α-mangostin were fabricated and their anti-inflammatory effects were investigated under gastrointestinal tract (GIT). With the increased concentration of polysaccharides, the release of α-mangostin was slower due to denser microstructure and hardness. The digestive profile suggested that the release of α-mangostin in 0.3% alginate/0.15% xanthan gum (0.15%X-αM), 0.3% alginate/0.2% xanthan gum (0.25%X-αM) and 0.3% alginate/0.3% κ-carrageenan (0.3%C-αM) hydrogels were faster than the others. The cytotoxicity of α-mangostin loaded in hydrogels was dramatically reduced. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of the three intestinal digestive fluids was still maintained at 71.9% ± 1.2%, 83.1% ± 2.0%, and 70.6% ± 3.3% in LPS-induced Raw246.7 cells. In addition, the three intestinal digestive fluids (50 μM of α-mangostin) showed good inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and the expression of iNos and Cox-2 respectively. Given these data, xanthan gum/κ-carrageenan-alginate composite hydrogels can be a good colonic target delivery system for bioactive compounds, which can be applied in functional foods to improve human health and wellness.

Insights into the Chemical Composition and In Vitro Bioactive Properties of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) Pericarp.

The industrial processing of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) generates high amounts of waste, as ~60% of the fruit is formed by an inedible pericarp. However, its pericarp has been explored as a source of xanthones; nevertheless, studies addressing the recovery of other chemical compounds from such biomass are still scarce. Hence, this study intended to elucidate the chemical composition of the mangosteen pericarp, including fat-soluble (tocopherols and fatty acids) and water-soluble (organic acids and phenolic compound non-xanthones) compounds present in the following extracts: hydroethanolic (MT80), ethanolic (MTE), and aqueous (MTW). In addition, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antibacterial potentials of the extracts were assessed. The mangosteen pericarp showed a composition with seven organic acids, three tocopherol isomers, four fatty acids and fifteen phenolic compounds. Regarding the extraction of phenolics, the MT80 was the most efficient (54 mg/g extract), followed by MTE (19.79 mg/g extract) and MTW (4.011 mg/g extract). All extracts showed antioxidant and antibacterial activities; however, MT80 and MTE extracts were more efficient than MTW. Only MTW did not show anti-inflammatory properties, whereas MTE and MT80 showed inhibitory activities towards tumor cell lines. Notwithstanding, MTE showed cytotoxicity towards normal cells. Our findings support the idea that the ripe mangosteen pericarp is a source of bioactive compounds, although their recovery is dependent on the extraction solvent.

Antibacterial Property and Biodegradation of PLA/PBS Nonwoven Fabric Coated with Mangosteen Pericarp Extract

In light of the eco-friendliness and antimicrobial property of mangosteen pericarp (MP), this research investigates the antibacterial activity of biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nonwoven fabric coated with MP extract. In the experiment, the MP extract concentrations were varied between 0 (uncoated), 0.3, 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt%, and the experimental bacteria strains were Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results revealed that the MP extract inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus. The tensile strength and the MP extract concentration were positively correlated, while the elongation at break was inversely correlated with the MP extract concentration. Meanwhile, higher MP extract concentrations had minimal effect on the biodegradability of the MP-coated PLA/PBS nonwoven fabrics. Essentially, the MP extract holds promising potential as an antibacterial. The characteristic of this research lies in the use of mangosteen pericarp extract, an agricultural waste, in biodegradable nonwoven fabric to inhibit the bacterial growth.

Effect of Acidification and Types of Solvent on Anthocyanin Yield, Total Phenols, Flavonoids, Antioxidant Activity and Colour Values of Extracts from Mangosteen Pericarp (Garcinia mangostana L.)

Background: Anthocyanin is a natural pigment with potential application in the textile, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.), the ‘Queen of fruits’ is famous for its nutritious edible aril. The mangosteen pericarp is rich in anthocyanin and can be utilized as a natural colorant with health benefits. There is a need to standardize easier methods for the efficient extraction of anthocyanin from mangosteen pericarp so that it can be effectively utilized in food industry. Materials: The pericarp of ripe mangosteen fruits were dried, pulverized and the anthocyanin was extracted by hot maceration with distilled water (aqueous extraction) and ethanol as solvents, acidified at different levels with citric acid (0.1% and 0.2%) and acetic acid (1% and 2%). The anthocyanin yield, total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant activity and colour values of the concentrated extracts were determined. Result: Acidification of the solvent medium increased the extraction efficiency of anthocyanin pigment from mangosteen pericarp. The hot maceration with 50% ethanol acidified at 2% acetic acid contributed the highest yield for anthocyanin, total phenols and flavonoids with 82.68% antioxidant activity and exhibited good colour values. This anthocyanin pigment can be utilized as a safe natural colorant for the development of functional foods.

Transcriptomics analysis of mangosteen ripening revealed active regulation of ethylene, anthocyanin and xanthone biosynthetic genes

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn.) is known as the ‘Queen of Fruits’ due to its sweet and unique taste. The fruit also contains beneficial compounds such as anthocyanins and xanthones which have pharmacological properties including anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. Mangosteen has unique ripening behavior whereby the fruit undergoes full ripening (up to Stage 6 (S6), dark purple) only when harvested at the middle ripening stage (Stage 2 (S2), appearance of pink spots) onwards. This is unlike most other climacteric fruits which can ripen completely when harvested at the initial green stage (Stage 0, S0). However, information governing the ripening regulation of mangosteen is limited particularly at the molecular level. Hence, transcriptomics analyses on mangosteen pericarp was performed at different ripening stages; S0 (initial stage), S2 (middle stage), and S6 (final stage), revealing 250,680 unique transcripts, of which 6233 were differentially expressed transcripts (DETs). Furthermore, the benchmarking universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO) analysis affirmed that the assembled transcriptome contains 93.8 % of gene representation in the Viridiplantae kingdom. Functional annotation indicated a high match with the species from the Malpighiales order, with most of the DETs participating in the metabolism process. Additionally, transcriptomics analysis indicated the fruit undergoes transitioning at the early ripening (S0 vs S2) by conserving carbon skeleton instead of energy production before ethylene surge later (S2 vs S6). Transcripts relating to the anthocyanin and xanthone biosynthesis were upregulated during ripening particularly at an early stage, consistent with ripening as an oxidative process with high requirements of antioxidants. This study contributes to the findings of novel transcripts important for the regulation of ripening which could lead to better commercial utilization and preservation of mangosteen in the future.

Synergistic Effect of Pericarp of Mangosteen and Propolis from Stingless Bee Extracts on Nitric Oxide Scavenging Activity

The aim of this research is to study the synergistic effect on the nitric oxide scavenging activity of mangosteen pericarp and the stingless bee (Tetragonula laviceps) propolis extracts and their phytochemical constituents. The propolis and mangosteen pericarp were extracted by reflux method with ethanol. TPC and TFC of propolis extract were 123.73±2.80 mg GAE/g extract and 70.65±11.21 mg QE/g extract, respectively, and mangosteen pericarp extract was 387.93±15.10 mg GAE/g extract and 87.00±5.06 mg QE/g extract, respectively. The ESI-LC-MS data displayed that both extracts have a variety of phytochemical constituents, such as xanthones, flavonoids, and miscellaneous. The synergistic effect of Nitric oxide scavenging activities of propolis and mangosteen pericarp extracts showed higher activity than individual extracts with various concentrations. Thus, the synergistic effect of propolis and mangosteen pericarp extracts may be an alternative source of inflammatory drug development in the future.

Hypouricemic Actions of the Pericarp of Mangosteen in Vitro and in Vivo.

Hyperuricemia is the result of overproduction and/or underexcretion of uric acid, and it is a well-known risk factor for gout, hypertension, and diabetes. However, available drugs for hyperuricemia in the clinic are limited. Recently, a lot of research has been conducted in order to discover new uric acid-lowering agents from plants and foods. We found that the extracts from the pericarp of mangosteen reduced urate. Bioactivity-guided study showed that α-mangostin was the principal constituent. Herein, we reported for the first time the hypouricemic activities and underling mechanism of α-mangostin. The α-mangostin dose- and time-dependently decreased the levels of serum urate in hyperuricemic mice and markedly increased the clearance of urate in hyperuricemic rats, exhibiting a promotion of urate excretion in the kidney. Further evidence showed that α-mangostin significantly decreased the protein levels of GLUT9 in the kidneys. The change in the expression of URAT1 was not observed. Moreover, α-mangostin did not inhibit the activities of xanthine oxidoreductase and uricase in vitro or in vivo. Taken together, these findings suggest that α-mangostin has potential to be developed as a new anti-hyperuricemic agent with promoting uric acid excretion.