Improved isolation of α-mangostin from the fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana and its antioxidant and antifungal activity

The fruit hull of mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana L. (Family Clusiaceae), has been used for many years as a folk medicine for treatment of skin infection, wounds and diarrhea [1]. In this study, the HPLC analysis for α-mangostin was developed and validated in terms of resolution (Rs), capacity factor (k'), selectivity factor (α), and tailing factor (T_f). In addition, the effect of solvents on quantity of α-mangostin, total phenolic content [2], antioxidative [3] and anti-tinea activities were examined. Seven types of solvent (hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate, methanol and ethanol) were used for extraction giving % yields of 0.03, 1.87, 1.39, 3.00, 0.90, 7.74 and 6.07, respectively. The EtOAc extract was found to possess the highest content of α-mangostin (91.92%). The acetone extract showed the highest phenolic content of 0.5713mg/g as gallic acid equivalent (GAE). The best antioxidant activity (DPPH-assay) was found in the chloroform extract with the EC₅₀ of 3.44µg/mL. The study of antifungal activity showed that extracts (ethanol, acetone and methanol) provided antifungal activity against three species of tinea: Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophyte and Microsporum gypseum.

Acknowledgements: Thailand Research Fund (TRF), Thailand., Sirirat Pinsuwan

References: 1. Chomnawang, M.T. et al. (2005), J. Ethnopharmacol. 101: 330–333. 2. Folin, O., Ciocalteu, V. (1927), J. Biol. Chem. 27: 627–650. 3. Yamasaki, K. et al. (1994), Chem. Pharm. Bull. 42: 1663–1665.