Effects of the mango components mangiferin and quercetin and the putative mangiferin metabolite norathyriol on the transactivation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor isoforms

Mangos are a source of bioactive compounds with potential health-promoting activity. This study evaluated the abilities of the mango components quercetin and mangiferin and the aglycone derivative of mangiferin, norathyriol, to modulate the transactivation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor isoforms (PPARs). PPARs are transcription factors important in many human diseases. Through the use of a gene reporter assay it was shown that quercetin inhibited the activation of all three isoforms of PPARs (PPAR gamma IC50 = 56.3 mu M; PPAR alpha IC50 = 59.6 mu M; PPAR beta IC50 = 76.9 mu M) as did norathyriol (PPAR gamma IC50 = 153.5 mu M; PPAR alpha IC50 = 92.8 mu M; PPAR beta IC50 = 102.4 mu M), whereas mangiferin did not inhibit the transactivation of any isoform. These findings suggest that mango components and metabolites may alter transcription and could contribute to positive health benefits via this or similar mechanisms.