Synonyms---Xango, Mangostan, Queen of fruits Alpha-Mangostin Chemical Name 1,3,6-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-2,8-bis（3-methylbut-2-enyl）xanthen-9-one Molecular Formula C24H26O6 Molecular Weight （g/mol） 410.45964 Molecular Structure: Chemical structures of mangostins Alpha-mangostin : R1 = CH3, R2 = R3 = H Beta-mangostin : R1 = R3 = CH3, R2 = H Gamma-mangostin : R1 = R2 = R3 = H Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn.) is a tropical evergreen fruit tree of the family Guttiferae, with deep reddish purple fruit, cultivated in Southeast Asian countries. In Thailand, the fruit of this plant is very popular and has been known as the “Queen of fruits”. Despite the name, this tree is not related to the mango. The fruit rind of this plant has been used in Thai traditional medicine for treatment of diarrhea and skin infections. For hundreds of years, the people of Southeast Asia have used mangosteen, especially the rind, to ward off and treat infections, reduce pain or control fever, and treat various other ailments. In countries where the tree grows, native healers use various parts of the plant. Its fruit, including the rind and pulp, can be pureed together and sold as a drink. Its rind may be dried and powdered, and substances are also extracted from its bark. The juice or puree is eaten or drunk. In Asia and the Philippines, the rind may be steeped in water to make tea. Some folk healers prepare an ointment or salve to apply to the skin for conditions such as eczema, injuries, and infections. Others boil the leaves and bark of the tree to make a medicinal drink or to mix with other herbs to apply to wounds. The roots may be boiled to make a drink for women with menstrual problems. Mangosteen rind contains tannins (polyphenols) and xanthones i.e. alpha-, beta- and gamma-mangostins. Alpha-mangostin is a major component,which possess anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Propionibacterium acne ,which is the critical eticologic agent in acne. It was also reported to inhibit alveolar duct formation in a mouse mammary organ culture model and to suppress the carcinogen induced formation of aberrant crypt foci in a short-term colon carcinogenesis model. In Thailand, mangosteen fruit extract is popularly used as a food supplement while the fruit rind extract has been used in herbal cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.