Mangos have high levels of mangiferin, which is a bioactive compound known for its therapeutic properties, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects. Mangiferin is a polyphenolic antioxidant that is naturally present in high levels in mangoes. It is often also called C-glucosyl xanthone.
Mangiferin has been found to reduce inflammation by inhibiting the activation of a key transcription factor that regulates several inflammatory processes. As around 20% of cancers can be traced to chronic inflammation, this property of mangiferin means it reduces the likelihood of cancer.
Moreover, experiments with diabetic mice have determined that mangiferin resulted in lower levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (a combination of glucose and hemoglobin formed non-enzymatically and spontaneously), and alanine aminotransferase (high levels of which are correlated to increased type-2 diabetes risk) compared to controls. Insulin resistance occurs when normal amounts of insulin result in a weaker biological response, leading to increased blood glucose levels and, potentially, Type 2 diabetes. Mangiferin has been found to increase insulin sensitivity, as well as promote the regeneration of islet cells. As a result, it is a promising possible treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
Antitumor effects of mangiferin have also been investigated. Cells with mutations are sometimes able to escape cell cycle arrest at the G2/M checkpoint. However, mangiferin is believed to induce cell arrest at this phase, lowering the proliferation of malignant cells. Mangiferin also seems to activate the inhibitors of transcription factors that result in the proliferation of cancer cells. Mangiferin has been found to delay the S phase of the cell cycle (in which DNA replication occurs) in certain colorectal and cervical cancer cells. The bioactive compound also induces apoptosis- programmed cell death- in glioma cells (which are cells that form tumors in the brain and spinal cord) and activates estrogen receptor alpha, one of two key regulators of the gene transcription that leads to breast cancer.
However, a significant disadvantage is that mangiferin has low water solubility and low intestinal permeability. Hence, research into the chemical modification of mangiferin to increase its possible applications is ongoing.
Work Cited
Du, Suya, et al. “Mangiferin: An Effective Therapeutic Agent against Several Disorders (Review).” Molecular Medicine Reports, 2018, https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2018.9529.
Gold-Smith, Fuchsia, et al. “Mangiferin and Cancer: Mechanisms of Action.” Nutrients, vol. 8, no. 7, 28 June 2016, p. 396, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8070396. Accessed 5 Nov. 2023.
Imran, Muhammad, et al. “Mangiferin: A Natural Miracle Bioactive Compound against Lifestyle Related Disorders.” Lipids in Health and Disease, vol. 16, no. 1, 2 May 2017, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0449-y.
Matheyambath, A.C., et al. “Mangoes.” Encyclopedia of Food and Health, 2016, pp. 641–645, https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-384947-2.00442-6.
Wang, Xiaoli, et al. “Increased Absorption of Mangiferin in the Gastrointestinal Tract and Its Mechanism of Action by Absorption Enhancers in Rats.” Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, vol. 39, no. 9, 2012, pp. 1408–1413, https://doi.org/10.3109/03639045.2012.704043. Accessed 5 Nov. 2023.
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