Despite decades of research, the treatment and management of malignant
tumors still remain a formidable challenge for public health. New strategies for
cancer treatment are being developed, and one of the most promising treatment strategies involves the application of chemopreventive agents. The search for novel and effective
cancer chemopreventive agents has led to the identification of various naturally occurring compounds.
Xanthones, from the pericarp, whole fruit, heartwood, and leaf of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn., GML), are known to possess a wide spectrum of pharmacologic properties, including
antioxidant, anti-
tumor,
anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral activities. The potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities of
xanthones have been demonstrated in different stages of
carcinogenesis (initiation, promotion, and progression) and are known to control cell division and growth, apoptosis,
inflammation, and
metastasis. Multiple lines of evidence from numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that
xanthones inhibit proliferation of a wide range of human
tumor cell types by modulating various targets and signaling transduction pathways. Here we provide a concise and comprehensive review of preclinical data and assess the observed anticancer effects of
xanthones, supporting its remarkable potential as an
anticancer agent.