Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract, derived from the bark of the mangosteen tree (Garcinia mangostana), is a natural source of powerful bioactive compounds, including xanthones and flavonoids, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Traditionally used in herbal practices, this extract is valued for its ability to protect the skin from oxidative damage, promote healing, and improve overall skin health. It is used in cosmetic formulations for its regenerative and protective benefits.

Chemical Composition and Structure

It contains a high concentration of xanthones such as alpha-mangostin and gamma-mangostin, renowned for their strong antioxidant action. It also contains tannins and flavonoids, which contribute to its astringent and protective properties for the skin. The combination of these bioactive compounds helps reduce inflammation, prevent cellular oxidation, and enhance skin regeneration.

Physical Properties

The extract appears as a concentrated liquid or fine brown powder. It is soluble in water and certain organic solvents, making it easy to incorporate into various cosmetic formulations. With its high antioxidant content, the extract is stable and retains its beneficial properties even in complex formulations.

Production Process

The extract is produced through aqueous or alcohol-based extraction processes, isolating the bioactive compounds from the mangosteen bark. The extraction process is designed to preserve the integrity of the xanthones and other antioxidants, ensuring the extract’s maximum efficacy in cosmetic products. The final product is concentrated or dried for use in various applications.

• Harvesting the Bark: The bark of Garcinia mangostana is harvested from mature plants. It is important to follow sustainable harvesting practices to ensure the quality and conservation of the plant.

• Drying: After harvesting, the bark is cleaned and subjected to a drying process to remove moisture. This step is crucial for preserving the active properties of the extract and facilitating subsequent extraction.

• Extraction: The extraction of active principles occurs using appropriate solvents, such as water, ethanol, or methanol. The dried bark is immersed in the solvent, and the mixture is agitated or heated to promote the release of bioactive compounds.

• Filtration: Once the extraction process is complete, the obtained solution is filtered to remove undissolved solids, resulting in a liquid extract containing the active principles of the bark.

• Concentration: The extract may be further concentrated by evaporating the solvent to obtain a product richer in xanthones and with greater stability.

• Quality Control and Packaging: Finally, Garcinia mangostana bark extract undergoes quality control checks to verify its purity, efficacy, and compliance with standards. After analysis, it is packaged for distribution and use in cosmetic products and dietary supplements.

Applications

• Skincare: Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract is used in creams, lotions, and serums for its ability to protect the skin from oxidative damage, enhance healing, and reduce inflammation. It is particularly useful in anti-aging and regenerative products.

INCI Functions:

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

CAS: 90045-25-3     289-884-9

• Anti-inflammatory Products: Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, the extract is effective in soothing irritated and inflamed skin. It is used in products for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

• Antimicrobial Products: The extract is employed in natural antimicrobial formulations to help prevent skin infections and promote healthier skin.

Health and Safety Considerations

Safety in Use
Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract is considered safe for use in cosmetics and skincare products. No significant side effects are known, and the extract is well tolerated even by sensitive skin. Major regulatory authorities, such as the European Union and the FDA, approve its use in cosmetic products.

Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract are rare, but as with any natural ingredient, a patch test is recommended before applying it to the skin, especially on sensitive skin.

Toxicity and Carcinogenicity
Its antioxidant compounds are considered protective against oxidative stress and cellular damage.

Environmental Considerations
Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract is sourced from a renewable resource—the mangosteen bark—which is harvested sustainably. The product is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, making it an eco-conscious choice for cosmetic formulations.

Regulatory Status
Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract is approved for use in cosmetic products by major regulatory authorities, including the European Union and the FDA in the United States. It is widely used in skincare formulations, especially in regenerative and anti-aging products.

References__________________________________________________________________________

Shan T, Ma Q, Guo K, Liu J, Li W, Wang F, Wu E. Xanthones from mangosteen extracts as natural chemopreventive agents: potential anticancer drugs. Curr Mol Med. 2011 Nov;11(8):666-77. doi: 10.2174/156652411797536679. 

Abstract. Despite decades of research, the treatment and management of malignant tumors still remain a formidable challenge for public health. New strategies for cancer treatment are being developed, and one of the most promising treatment strategies involves the application of chemopreventive agents. The search for novel and effective cancer chemopreventive agents has led to the identification of various naturally occurring compounds. Xanthones, from the pericarp, whole fruit, heartwood, and leaf of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn., GML), are known to possess a wide spectrum of pharmacologic properties, including antioxidant, anti- tumor, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral activities. The potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities of xanthones have been demonstrated in different stages of carcinogenesis (initiation, promotion, and progression) and are known to control cell division and growth, apoptosis, inflammation, and metastasis. Multiple lines of evidence from numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that xanthones inhibit proliferation of a wide range of human tumor cell types by modulating various targets and signaling transduction pathways. Here we provide a concise and comprehensive review of preclinical data and assess the observed anticancer effects of xanthones, supporting its remarkable potential as an anticancer agent.

Barua A, Choudhury P, Mandal S, Panda CK, Saha P. Therapeutic potential of xanthones from Swertia chirata in breast cancer cells. Indian J Med Res. 2020 Sep;152(3):285-295. doi: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1153_18.

Abstract. Background & objectives: Medicinal plants like Swertia chirata are rich sources of different xanthones. This study was aimed to assess the cytotoxic potential of four most abundant xanthones present in S. chirata both in vivo and in vitro in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC), a mouse transplantable breast carcinoma cell line and two human breast carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231).....Results: Among all the xanthones tested XD showed IC50at the lowest dose, and normal cells were unaffected at this dose. Survivability of mice increased significantly when treated with XD compared to other xanthones and cisplatin. Significantly increased ROS and LPO were found in cancer cells as a result of XD treatment which was unaltered in normal cell line. XD induced DNA damage and apoptosis in cancer cell lines. Interpretation & conclusions: Our experimental data indicate that XD may potentially act as a chemotherapeutic agent by enhancing ROS in breast cancer cells thereby leading to apoptosis.

Feng Z, Lu X, Gan L, Zhang Q, Lin L. Xanthones, A Promising Anti-Inflammatory Scaffold: Structure, Activity, and Drug Likeness Analysis. Molecules. 2020 Jan 30;25(3):598. doi: 10.3390/molecules25030598.

Abstract. Inflammation is the body's self-protective response to multiple stimulus, from external harmful substances to internal danger signals released after trauma or cell dysfunction. Many diseases are considered to be related to inflammation, such as cancer, metabolic disorders, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. Current therapeutic approaches include mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids, which are generally of limited effectiveness and severe side-effects. Thus, it is urgent to develop novel effective anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents. Xanthones, a unique scaffold with a 9H-Xanthen-9-one core structure, widely exist in natural sources. Till now, over 250 xanthones were isolated and identified in plants from the families Gentianaceae and Hypericaceae. Many xanthones have been disclosed with anti-inflammatory properties on different models, either in vitro or in vivo. Herein, we provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of xanthones with anti-inflammatory properties, and analyzed their drug likeness, which might be potential therapeutic agents to fight against inflammation-related diseases.

Nauman MC, Johnson JJ. The purple mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana): Defining the anticancer potential of selected xanthones. Pharmacol Res. 2022 Jan;175:106032. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.106032. 

Panda SS, Chand M, Sakhuja R, Jain SC. Xanthones as potential antioxidants. Curr Med Chem. 2013;20(36):4481-507. doi: 10.2174/09298673113209990144. 

Klein-Júnior LC, Campos A, Niero R, Corrêa R, Vander Heyden Y, Filho VC. Xanthones and Cancer: from Natural Sources to Mechanisms of Action. Chem Biodivers. 2020 Feb;17(2):e1900499. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.201900499.