the Garcinia mangostana extract had the greatest antimicrobial effect. The MIC values were the same (0.039 mg/ml) for both bacterial species and the MBC values were
0.039 and 0.156 mg/ml against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively. In bioautography assay,
the Garcinia mangostana extract produced strong inhibition zones against Propionibacterium acnes. Antimicrobial activity from fractions of column
chromatography revealed one of the active compounds in Garcinia mangostana could be mangostin, a xanthone derivative. Taken together,
our data indicated that Garcinia mangostana had a strong inhibitory effect on Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Therefore, this plant would be an interesting topic for further study and possibly for an alternative treatment for acne.
© 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.