The Therapeutic Potential of Mangosteen Pericarp as an Adjunctive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia

Abstract

New treatments are urgently needed for serious mental illnesses including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This review proposes that Garcinia mangostana Linn. (mangosteen) pericarp is a possible adjunctive therapeutic agent for these disorders. Research to date demonstrates that neurobiological properties of the mangosteen pericarp are well aligned with the current understanding of the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Mangosteen pericarp has antioxidant, putative neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and putative mitochondrial enhancing properties, with animal studies demonstrating favorable pharmacotherapeutic benefits with respect to these disorders. This review summarizes evidence of its properties and supports the case for future studies to assess the utility of mangosteen pericarp as an adjunctive treatment option for mood and psychotic disorders.

Keywords: bipolar disorder; inflammation; mangosteen pericarp; mitochondria; oxidative stress; psychiatry; schizophrenia.

Figure 1

Proposed neurobiology of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and associated mechanisms of mangosteen pericarp (purple italics). These major psychiatric disorders have been shown to have aberrations in oxidative biology, mitochondrial function and neurogenesis/apoptosis. The purple italicized text indicates the points at which mangosteen pericarp has mechanistic actions that may benefit these disorders. Complexes I, II, II, and IV; CoQ, Coenzyme Q; C, cytochrome C; Fe²⁺, ferrous ion; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; GSH, reduced glutathione; GSSG, oxidized glutathione; H₂O, water; H₂O₂, hydrogen peroxide; NADH, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate); NO, nitric oxide; Nox, NADH, Reduced Nicotinamide adenine; O2, Superoxide anion; OH, Hydroxyl radical; ONOO, peroxynitrite; SOD, Superoxide dismutase.