Effects of compounds from Garcinia mangostana on inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The fruit hull of Garcinia mungostana Linn. has been used in Thai traditional medicine for treatment of abscess and skin infection. Aim of the study: The mangosteen fruit hull and its compounds were carried out to investigate for anti-inflammatory activity. Material and methods: The extract of Garcinia mangostana together with alpha- and gamma-mangostins were tested for anti-inflammatory effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) releases as well as their mechanisms in transcriptional levels using RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Results: Mangosteen extract possessed potent NO inhibitory effect with an IC(50) value of 1.0 mu g/ml. The isolated compounds from the extract including a-mangostin and gamma-mangostin, possessed marked inhibitory effect against NO release with IC(50) values of 3.1 and 6.0 mu M, respectively. The extract exhibited potent inhibitory effect on PGE(2) release (IC(50) = 6.0 mu g/ml), whereas those of alpha- and gamma-mangostins were 13.9 and 13.5 mu M, respectively. However, mangostins possessed only moderate effects towards TNF-alpha and IL-4 releases with IC50 values ranging from 31.8 to 64.8 mu W. Both extract and alpha-mangostin suppressed transcription of gene encoding inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in dose-dependent manners, whereas gamma-mangostin had only an inhibitory effect on transcription of iNOS. Conclusion: The present study may support the Thai traditional use of Garcinia mangostana fruit hull for treatment of inflammatory-related diseases through the inhibition of NO and PGE2 releases, but moderate effect through TNF-alpha and IL-4. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.