Thursday, January 31, 2013

Mangosteen and cardiovascular disease

Mangosteen are the most valued part of the plant Garcinia mangostana and is famous for the remarkably pleasant flavor. Mangosteen contains a high concentration of polyphenols called xanthones. There are 40 different xanthones on the mangosteen that may exert some antioxidant effects.

The xanthones are found in abundance in the pericarp or rind of the mangosteen fruit. Xanthones are antioxidants being researched for their ability to improve immune systems and have anti0viral, anti-bacterial, and anti fungal properties.

Xanthones and their derivatives have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. The xanthones keep the bad cholesterol from sticking to blood vessels, which reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, Atherosclerosis can led to cardiovascular disease.

The xanthones from mangosteen rind can prevent clots and relax the blood vessels. Xanthones are related to flavonoids, as they share precursors, but xanthones have a single carbon bridge (C6-C1-C6) instead of the 3-carbon bridge of the flavonoids.

A biologically active yet taxonomically restricted group, xanthones demonstrates a range of effects in living organisms. Some xanthones have shown significant anti-hypercholesteromic and antihypertensive biological profiles.

Xanthones are potent antioxidants, that inhibit oxidation process during metabolism. In the process of oxidation, it releases free radical which are unstable molecules that cause damage to cell membranes and DNA leading to disease like cancer, cardiovascular disease, aging and more.
Mangosteen and cardiovascular disease

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