The fruit hulls of mangosteen contain three major bioactive compounds namely, α-, β-, and γ-mangostin.

γ-Mangostin has been used to study its inhibitory effect on Transthyretin (TTR) fibrillization, a homotetrameric protein involved in human hereditary amyloidosis.

The xanthone derivatives, namely α-, β-, and γ-mangostin have various biological activities including antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activity, enhancement of natural killer (NK) cell activity, and antiviral effect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). γ-Mangostin is also reported to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX-2) activity and NO production, which in turn reduces the level of prostaglandin E2. It is found to induce cell death in human colon cancer cells.

Xanthone derivative isolated from the mangosteen hull (Garcinia mangostana). Exhibits antioxidant and anticancer properties. Mangosteen xanthones inhibit inflammation in human adipocytes which is important in understanding obesity-associated inflammation and the development of insulin resistance.