THE MOLECULAR TARGETS OF GARCINOL CONFER ANTITUMOR EFFECTS

摘要

The extract of Garcinia indica fruit, which is popularly known as Kokum or Mangosteen in the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and China, has a sweet and sour flavor and has traditionally been used as a seasoning, a snack, or steeped in syrup for a refreshing drink. Garcinol (Gar), a polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivative, is purified from Garcinia indica fruit rind, and its antioxidative, antiglycation and free radical-scavenging activities have been studied previously.Gar (C_(38)H_(50)O6; molecular weight 602), a yellow crystalline compound with a melting point of 132°C, is structurally similar to curcumin; both contain phenolic hydroxyl groups and a β-diketone moiety. The terminal alkene contained in an unsaturated isopropenyl substituent of the molecule can undergo cyclization under acidic conditions to produce isogracinol. The oxidized isomer of garcinol has also been associated with the induction of apoptosis and antiobesity, antiulcer, antidiabetic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. The chemical structure of Gar is similar to a series of naturally occurring phytochemicals, including curcumin, chalcones, oglogifolins, and guttiferones.