A spotlight on gamma-mangostin: exploring its potential as antiviral agents

The global health landscape has seen an upsurge in viral diseases, underlining the urgency for novel antiviral therapies. This mini-review illuminates the potential antiviral capabilities of gamma-mangostin, a xanthone derivative derived from the pericarp of the Garcinia mangostana fruit. Gamma-mangostin's mechanisms of action are multifaceted, displaying inhibitory effects on viral entry into host cells, disrupting essential cell signalling pathways for viral replication, and enhancing the host's immune response via antiviral cytokine stimulation. This compound has demonstrated significant in vitro efficacy against numerous viruses, including Influenza A virus, Herpes simplex virus, and Hepatitis C virus, and emerging preliminary research suggests potential utility against SARS-CoV-2. Its broad-spectrum antiviral properties and low cytotoxicity earmark gamma-mangostin as a promising candidate for future antiviral agent development. However, rigorous investigation is required to determine its pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and safety profile. With the escalating burden of viral diseases, gamma-mangostin could represent an important tool in the armamentarium for disease management, contingent upon further study. This review provides an overview of current research into gamma-mangostin's antiviral potential and the challenges to its therapeutic development.