Mangosteen
Summary
Mangosteen rind supplies xanthones such as alpha-mangostin. Small trials suggest effects on insulin resistance and inflammation markers (grade D), and a 148-person trial found no benefit as an add-on for schizophrenia. A juice-linked case of severe lactic acidosis and lab evidence of platelet effects call for caution, especially with anticoagulants.
Key facts
- 1,000 mg/day of pericarp extract for 24 weeks did not improve schizophrenia symptoms versus placebo (136 analysed)[3]
- HOMA-IR fell 53% vs 15% with 400 mg/day for 26 weeks in an unblinded pilot of 20 women[2]
- Alpha- and gamma-mangostin inhibited rat platelet aggregation at low micromolar concentrations[8]
- 475 mg per capsule, two capsules a day (950 mg)[10]
- 5 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 13, 2026
How it works
ProposedMangosteen rind contains xanthones, mainly alpha- and gamma-mangostin, that show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and enzyme-inhibiting activity in lab studies; alpha-mangostin was absorbed after a mangosteen drink in people. In isolated rat platelets, alpha- and gamma-mangostin inhibited aggregation at low concentrations and damaged platelets at higher ones. Lab studies also report effects on CYP450 enzymes of unknown clinical relevance.[6][8][9]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
At a glance: strongest evidence per outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Effect | Strongest evidence | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body weight | Grade D | Improved | RCT · n = 57 · 2016 | 1 row |
| Inflammation | Grade D | Mixed | RCT · n = 40 · 2009 | 1 row |
| Blood sugar | Grade D | Improved | RCT · n = 20 · 2018 | 1 row |
| Exercise | Grade D | No effect | Crossover RCT · n = 12 · 2016 | 1 row |
| Mental health | No effect | No effect | RCT · n = 136 · 2021 | 1 row |
Every graded row
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body weight, waist and blood lipids (mangosteen rind plus Sphaeranthus extract) | Improved | Grade D | RCT · n = 57 · 2016 Healthy overweight adults (India) Form: Meratrim: Sphaeranthus indicus flower and Garcinia mangostana rind extracts · Dose: 400 mg twice daily with a 2,000 kcal diet and walking · Duration: 16 weeks Weight fell 5.1 vs 1.1 kg with placebo, with larger falls in waist, LDL and triglycerides; no supplement-related adverse events. | 27558585 (opens PubMed)Source [5] |
| High-sensitivity CRP and other inflammation markers | Mixed | Grade D | RCT · n = 40 · 2009 Obese adults with raised CRP Form: Mangosteen juice blend (XanGo) · Dose: 3, 6 or 9 oz twice daily · Duration: 8 weeks CRP change from baseline differed from placebo only in the highest-dose (18 oz/day) group; cytokines and F2-isoprostane did not differ. No side effects reported. | 19843321 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
| Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), weight and inflammation | Improved | Grade D | RCT · n = 20 · 2018 Obese women with insulin resistance (Italy) Form: Mangosteen extract plus diet and exercise vs diet and exercise alone · Dose: 400 mg once daily · Duration: 26 weeks HOMA-IR fell 53% with mangosteen versus 15% with lifestyle therapy alone; no treatment-related side effects were reported. | 29747432 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
| Time to exhaustion and fatigue markers during cycling | No effect | Grade D | Crossover RCT · n = 12 · 2016 Healthy adults Form: Mangosteen-based juice (305 mg alpha-mangostin, 278 mg hydroxycitric acid) · Dose: 250 mL once, 1 hour before exercise · Duration: Single dose per visit No differences in time to exhaustion, heart rate, perceived exertion or blood fatigue markers; only mood questionnaire scores differed. | 27152103 (opens PubMed)Source [4] |
| Schizophrenia symptom scores (PANSS) as an add-on to usual treatment | No effect | No effect | RCT · n = 136 · 2021 Adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (Australia) Form: Mangosteen pericarp extract · Dose: 1,000 mg/day · Duration: 24 weeks Both groups improved over time with no difference between mangosteen and placebo on any symptom, function or quality-of-life measure. | 33355478 (opens PubMed)Source [3] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangosteen pericarp (rind) extract capsules | Varies[2][3] | No head-to-head human data between extracts.[3] | No treatment-related side effects at 400 mg/day for 26 weeks in a pilot study.[2] | Insulin resistance, schizophrenia (null), weight |
| Mangosteen juice and juice blends | Varies[4] | Alpha-mangostin appeared in plasma, peaking about 1 hour after a mangosteen-based drink.[6] | No side effects in an 8-week trial of up to 18 oz/day; one case of severe lactic acidosis after 12 months of daily juice.[1][7][9] | Inflammation markers, antioxidant capacity, exercise fatigue |
| Combination extracts containing mangosteen rind | Varies[5] | No data on the mangosteen component.[5] | No supplement-related adverse events over 16 weeks in one blend trial.[5] | Weight management |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 400 mg a day of mangosteen extract for 26 weeks to 1,000 mg a day of pericarp extract for 24 weeks; juice trials used up to 18 oz a day for 8 weeks.[1][2][3]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
Medicines
- CYP450-metabolised drugs and calcineurin inhibitorsReviewLab and animal studies show mangosteen inhibits several CYP450 enzymes and a mangosteen compound inhibits calcineurin; clinical relevance is not known.[9]
Who should be careful
- People taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs
- Mangosteen xanthones inhibited platelet aggregation in rat platelets; no human interaction study exists, so combining it with drugs such as warfarin or clopidogrel is untested.[8]
- Long-term daily juice drinkers
- Severe lactic acidosis was reported in a person drinking mangosteen juice daily for 12 months.[7][9]
- Chemotherapy or radiation
- Mangosteen products have antioxidant effects that could interfere with some cancer treatments, according to a cancer-centre herb database.[9]
- Transplant or immunosuppressant drugs
- A mangosteen compound inhibits calcineurin, the target of cyclosporine and tacrolimus; the clinical effect is unknown.[9]
- Diabetes
- Mangosteen juice products are high in sugar.[9]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Bleeding and anticoagulants
- What the lab shows
- Alpha-mangostin (1–10 μM) and gamma-mangostin (2.5–25 μM) inhibited rat platelet aggregation to collagen, thrombin or ADP; higher concentrations destroyed platelets.[8]
- What is unknown
- The study authors note the effects in the body and in people have not been assessed; no human bleeding or INR data exist.[8]
How to read the label
- Per serving, not per dayOne label lists 475 mg per 1-capsule serving with two servings a day (950 mg), close to the 1,000 mg/day in the schizophrenia trial.[10][3]
- Juice vs extractJuice trials used blends measured in ounces, while extract trials used 400–1,000 mg capsules; results do not transfer between them.[1][2][3]
Cost per studied dose, without the sales pitch
Compare any product you already have by the amount it delivers, not by capsule count or front-of-pack weight.
Cost per studied dose
Enter the price, servings and the amount per serving from your label.
Frequently asked questions
Does mangosteen help with weight loss?
Evidence is weak. A pilot in 20 obese women found better insulin sensitivity, and a blend containing mangosteen and another herb lowered weight in one trial, but mangosteen alone has no strong weight data.[2][5]
Is mangosteen safe with blood thinners?
It is untested. Mangosteen compounds inhibited platelet aggregation in rat platelets, so combining it with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs deserves caution and medical advice.[8]
Has mangosteen caused serious side effects?
One case of severe lactic acidosis was reported after daily mangosteen juice for 12 months.[7][9]
Does mangosteen reduce inflammation?
In an 8-week juice trial, CRP improved versus placebo only at the highest dose (18 oz a day), and other inflammation markers did not change.[1]
Does mangosteen help schizophrenia?
No. A 24-week double-blind trial of 1,000 mg/day pericarp extract found no difference from placebo.[3]
Sources
- [1]Evaluation of Mangosteen juice blend on biomarkers of inflammation in obese subjects: a pilot, dose finding study.. Nutr J, 2009. RCT
- [2]Mangosteen Extract Shows a Potent Insulin Sensitizing Effect in Obese Female Patients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.. Nutrients, 2018. RCT
- [3]Adjunctive Garcinia mangostana Linn. (Mangosteen) Pericarp for Schizophrenia: A 24-Week Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Efficacy Trial: Péricarpe d'appoint Garcinia mangostana Linn (mangoustan) pour la schizophrénie : un essai d'efficacité de 24 semaines, à double insu, randomisé et contrôlé par placebo.. Can J Psychiatry, 2021. RCT
- [4]Acute Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) supplementation does not alleviate physical fatigue during exercise: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.. J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2016. crossover-RCT
- [5]Efficacy and tolerability of Meratrim for weight management: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy overweight human subjects.. Lipids Health Dis, 2016. RCT
- [6]Functional beverage of Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) enhances plasma antioxidant capacity in healthy adults.. Food Sci Nutr, 2015. RCT
- [7]Severe lactic acidosis associated with juice of the mangosteen fruit Garcinia mangostana.. Am J Kidney Dis, 2008. observational
- [8]α- and γ-mangostin cause shape changes, inhibit aggregation and induce cytolysis of rat platelets.. Chem Biol Interact, 2015. animal-study
- [9]Mangosteen: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More (About Herbs). Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2023. database
- [10]Mangosteen 475 mg (Solaray), DSLD label 239829: 475 mg mangosteen per 1-capsule serving, one capsule twice daily (950 mg/day). NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary Supplement Label Database, 2020. label
What changed
- Strict adversarial pass: PMIDs re-checked; 2018 dose confirmed in the PMC full text. Anticoagulant caution added from the rat platelet study and labelled lab-only (no human data); lactic acidosis case and CYP/calcineurin notes kept. Blend trial marked not form-specific; DSLD label verified per serving.
- First draft rebuilt from scratch after the earlier draft files were lost. Every PMID checked against NCBI esummary and abstracts read for each row; the 2018 pilot dose (400 mg once daily) confirmed in the PMC full text. Anticoagulant caution based on the rat platelet study (no human data) and labelled as lab-only. Label re-read from the DSLD API: 475 mg per 1-capsule serving, two servings daily.