Structure and Chemical Properties

Xanthones that are present in the Mangosteen

Garcinone A Garcinone B Garcinone C Garcinone D Garcinone E Alpha Mangostin Gamma mangostin Beta Mangsostin Norathriol Tovophyllin A Tovophyllin B Mangostanin Mangostenone Maclurin Gartanin Garcimangosone A Garcimangosone B Garcimangosone C

The mangosteen fruit and pericarp contains 40 xanthones, 20% of the 200 that are found in nature. “Xanthones are a unique, biologically active group of molecules possessing a six-carbon conjugated ring structure with multiple double carbon bonds” (Mangosteen MD, 2005). This structure makes the molecule very stable as well as quite versatile. All xanthones have the same structural backbone. What makes the xanthone unique are the side chains bound to the carbon molecules. Each of these xanthones has a unique chemical formula that allows it to perform a specific biological function when used by the human body.

Xanthones are heat stable molecules. Unlike proteins, they will not denature or lose their structure when heated.