The pericarp of the mangosteen (MG) has a variety of pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and chemopreventive effects. Currently, these mangosteen products are being widely used for the perceived or purported health benefits and the main secondary metabolites xanthones including α-mangostin, are assumed to be responsible for these health benefits. Hence, the pharmacokinetic properties of xanthones in the mangosteen extracts may provide some clues how manogsteen extract exert its biological activity. In the present study, the pharmacokinetics of the α-MG after administration of α-MG and MG extract. α-MG and MG extract intravenously (containing 5mg of α-MG) and orally (containing 20mg of α-MG) to mice were evaluated. After intravenous administration of α-MG and MG extract at a dose of 5mg/kg as α-MG, the pharmacokinetic parameters were comparable in mice, suggesting that the metabolism of α-MG after α-MG and MG extract administration. However, after oral administration of MG extract at a dose of 20mg/kg as α-MG, the area under the plasma concentration-time (AUC) and unabsorbed fraction of α-MG were significantly greater and smaller, respectively, than that of α-MG administration. This could be due to the increased absorption of α-MG after α-MG compared to that of MG extract. Thus, these results suggest that oral absorption of MG extract containing α-MG is more efficient than α-MG administration.
