PhytoScience - Science 
Anti-bacterial - Invitro
Antibacterial activity of xanthones from guttiferaeous plants against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. (MRSA)
Iinuma M, Tosa H, Tanaka T, Asai F, Kobayashi Y, Shimano R, Miyauchi K.
Department of Pharmacognosy,
Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Extracts of Garcinia mangostana (Guttiferae) showing inhibitory effects against the growth of S. aureus NIHJ 209p were fractionated according to guidance obtained from bioassay and some of the components with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were characterized.
One active isolate, alpha-mangostin, a xanthone derivative, had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.57-12.5 micrograms mL-1. Other related xanthones were also examined to determine their anti-MRSA activity. Rubraxanthone, which was isolated from Garcinia dioica and has a structure similar to that of alpha-mangostin, had the highest activity against staphylococcal strains (MIC = 0.31-1.25 micrograms mL-1), an activity which was greater than that of the antibiotic vancomycin (3.13-6.25 micrograms mL-1).
The inhibitory effect against strains of MRSA of two of the compounds when used in conjunction with other antibiotics was also studied. The anti-MRSA activity of alpha-mangostin was clearly increased by the presence of vancomycin; this behaviour was not observed for rubraxanthone.
The strong in-vitro antibacterial activity of xanthone derivatives against both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus suggests the compounds might find wide pharmaceutical use.
PMID: 8887739 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Anti-bacterial - Invitro
Antibacterial activity of alpha-mangostin against vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) and synergism with antibiotics.
Sakagami Y, Iinuma M, Piyasena KG, Dharmaratne HR.
Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health,
Osaka, Japan. sakagami@iph.pref.osaka.jp
alpha-Mangostin, isolated from the stem bark of Garcinia mangostana L., was found to be active against vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with MIC values of 6.25 and 6.25 to 12.5 microg/ml, respectively.
Our studies showed synergism between alpha-mangostin and gentamicin (GM) against VRE, and alpha-mangostin and vancomycin hydrochloride (VCM) against MRSA.
Further studies showed partial synergism between alpha-mangostin and commercially available antibiotics such as ampicillin and minocycline.
These findings suggested that alpha-mangostin alone or in combination with GM against VRE and in combination with VCM against MRSA might be useful in controlling VRE and MRSA infections.
PMID: 15830842 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Anti-bacterial - Invitro
Effect of Garcinia mangostana on inflammation caused by Propionibacterium acnes.
Chomnawang MT, Surassmo S, Nukoolkarn VS, Gritsanapan W.
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Rachathevi,
Bangkok, Thailand. scmtd@mahidol.ac.th
The present study was aimed to investigate the activity of Thai medicinal plants on inflammation caused by Propionibacterium acnes in terms of free radical scavenging and cytokine reducing properties. P. acnes have been recognized as pus-forming bacteria triggering an inflammation in acne.
Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH scavenging and NBT reduction assay.
The result showed that Garcinia mangostana possessed the most significant antioxidant activity and reduced reactive oxygen species production. Houttuynia cordata, Eupatorium odoratum, and Senna alata had a moderate antioxidant effect.
In addition, Garcinia mangostana extracts could reduce the TNF-alpha production as determined by ELISA. Garcinia mangostana was highly effective in scavenging free radicals and was able to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
This study has identified the promising source of anti-inflammatory agent which could be useful in treatment of acne vulgaris.
PMID: 17644272 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]