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Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)
A tropical fruit whose purple rind (pericarp) is rich in xanthones such as alpha-mangostin, marketed for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The evidence is mostly preclinical; the few human trials are small and largely local (oral/periodontal) or pilot-grade.
What the evidence says
Mangosteen doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.
Most evidence is from high-quality randomised trials published 2007–2026.
Based on 19 studies · 11 RCTs
Confidence
Moderate confidenceBy outcome
Scores low because systemic human evidence is a single small juice-blend pilot that cut CRP only at the highest dose; the rest is local periodontal gel trials and in-vitro xanthone mechanism work, with no meta-analyses.
12 randomised trials
75% were about Mangosteen in an audit of 12 of them
Every randomised or controlled trial of Mangosteen indexed in PubMed, not a hand-picked subset. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews are deliberately excluded from this count: most of them cover many compounds at once, so counting them would inflate it.
PubMed · as of Sep 2026
No trials currently enrolling · 9 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
Registered trials show research momentum for Mangosteen, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Oct 2026
Under EU law (Reg. 1924/2006), EFSA reviews whether a specific health claim for Mangosteen meets the evidence standard. These are independent regulatory decisions on claims — not studies, and never counted toward the evidence score above.
“Not authorised” means the specific claim wording did not meet the EU’s evidence standard — often a matter of dossier or phrasing, not proof of no effect. EFSA judges marketing claims and is kept separate from our study-based evidence score.
Source: EU Register of nutrition and health claims (European Commission / EFSA) · register snapshot Feb 2013
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a Southeast Asian fruit whose inedible purple rind contains xanthones — notably alpha- and gamma-mangostin — with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in cell and animal models.
Xanthones can attenuate inflammatory signaling (MAPK, AP-1, NF-κB) in cultured human macrophages and adipocytes, which underpins the marketing.
But human evidence is sparse and indirect: the strongest systemic trial is a small obese-subjects pilot in which a proprietary juice blend lowered C-reactive protein only at the highest dose, with most other markers unchanged.
Other randomized human data come from dental studies using mangosteen pericarp gel or mouthwash for gingivitis and periodontitis — local applications, not systemic supplementation. A schizophrenia adjunct trial exists only as a published protocol.
As an oral antioxidant/anti-inflammatory supplement, mangosteen remains an emerging, largely unproven option, and commercial 'mangosteen juice' is often a sugar-heavy proprietary blend.
Alpha- and gamma-mangostin attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory gene expression and MAPK/AP-1/NF-κB activation in cultured human macrophages and adipocytes.
Mangosteen xanthones scavenge reactive oxygen species in laboratory assays, the basis for its antioxidant marketing.
How Mangosteen works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Not adequately studied as a supplement — avoid concentrated extracts.
Use caution with high-dose xanthone products.
Xanthones may have mild antiplatelet activity in laboratory studies; clinical relevance is unproven but warrants caution at high doses.
Tip: Take with food; reduce dose
Tip: Avoid chronic high-dose juice consumption
Mangosteen has an evidence score of 3/10 — emerging evidence based on 19 indexed studies. A tropical fruit whose purple rind (pericarp) is rich in xanthones such as alpha-mangostin, marketed for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The evidence is mostly preclinical; the few human trials are small and largely local (oral/periodontal) or pilot-grade. Representative study: PMID 28321995.
Dosing for Mangosteen: No established efficacy dose. Pilot trials used 9-18 oz/day of a proprietary juice blend; pericarp capsule products commonly provide 500-1000mg. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
The best time to take Mangosteen is with meals. Take it with food. Taken with meals; no trial-validated systemic supplement dose exists.
Mangosteen has a safety rating of "moderate". That is a category, not a measure of individual risk, and there are precautions worth knowing. Reported side effects include lactic acidosis (very rare, reported with prolonged high-dose juice use), mild GI upset. How often they occur is not established for all of them. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Known allergy to mangosteen; Patients on anticoagulants (theoretical bleeding concern with xanthones — limited data).
Andrographis
Likely helpsStudied for comfort and symptom duration during upper-respiratory infections when taken at onset — also supports liver health.
Aged Garlic Extract
Likely helpsOdorless garlic extract with evidence for blood pressure and cardiovascular markers, and one trial reporting milder colds and flu.
Curcumin
Probably helpsTurmeric's active compound that modulates NF-kB inflammatory pathways — supports mood, joint health, and post-exercise recovery.
Ginger Extract
Likely helpsGingerols and shogaols reduce nausea, accelerate gastric emptying, and provide systemic anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 19 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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