Mangiferin, one of the most extensively investigated naturally occurring anti-cancer substance, is present in greater concentration in mango peel than in the pulp.
It is that time of the year when most households in India stock reserves of the king of fruits, Mango. Recently, there have been increasing claims online about the anti-proliferative, or anti-cancer benefits of the popular fruit. Is it true?
First Check delved into the available research on the subject and corroborated the findings with a medical practitioner. Here’s the science-based fact: Mangiferin, a phenolic compound present in mangoes, is one of the most extensively investigated naturally occurring anti-cancer substance. However, it is present in greater concentration in mango peel than it is in the pulp.
Mangiferin exhibits potent anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-proliferative properties. In the case of cancers, malignant tumours often develop resistance to synthetic drugs. Phytochemical-based anti-cancer agents, such as Mangiferin, are able to negotiate this hinderance due to their multi-target mechanism of working. Yet, not all cancers are amenable to treatment with Mangiferin. Pre-clinical studies have shown that Mangiferin prevents the proliferation of malignant cells only in certain cancers, such as that of the colon and breast.
Dr Aditya Gautam, an endocrinologist and diabetologist based in Guwahati, India, helps put the scientific findings in perspective. “Many potential benefits that exist in pre-clinical studies often do not translate to humans in real-world studies. As of now, no human clinical trials based on Mangiferin or its derivatives as a therapeutic drug molecule is available. In its present state, consumption of the fruit in and of itself plays no role in imparting any benefits other than nutritional. In cancer patients with diabetes, it will worsen sugar control. Mangiferin has been promisingly used as a tracer delivery system in PET based radiotherapy for cancers due to its high affinity for MMP-9 molecule in cancer cells,” he says.
In the absence of data on human trials, it is not reasonable to promote mango as an anti-neoplastic agent, yet. Further, Mangiferin may not be bioavailable when consumed as part of the fruit, as opposed to consuming it in isolation, which in preclinical studies is a promising candidate for its anti-cancer prowess.
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