Mangiferin from the leaves has been reported to possess antiinflammatory, diuretic, chloretic and cardiotonic activities and displays a high antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria. It has been recommended as a drug in preventing dental plaques. Mangiferin shows antiviral effect against type I herpes simplex virus which could be useful in anti-herpes ointments (Unani Herbalist).

Action: anti-asthmatic, antiseptic, antiviral, cardiotonic, emetic, expectorant, hypotensive, laxative

Mangiferin, a natural polyphenol is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects. However the molecular mechanism underlying these effects has not been well characterized. Because NF- B plays an important role in these processes, it is possible that mangiferin modulates NF- B activation. Our results show that mangiferin blocks tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced NF- B activation and NF- B-dependent genes like ICAM1 and COX2. The effect was mediated through inhibition of IKK activation and subsequent blocking of phosphorylation and degradation of I B .In addition, mangiferin inhibits TNF-induced p65 phosphorylation as well as translocation to the nucleus and also inhibits NF- B activation induced by other inflammatory agents like PMA, ceramide, and SA-LPS. Mangiferin, similar to the other known antioxidants, NAC and PDTC, inhibits TNF-induced reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) generation. Since intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels are known to modulate NF- B levels, we measured the levels of GSH. Mangiferin enhances glutathione level by almost 2-fold more than other anti-oxidants, and at the same time it decreases the levels of GSSG and increases the activity of catalase. Depletion of GSH by buthionine sulfoximine led to a significant reversal of mangiferin effect. Hence mangiferin with its ability to inhibit NF- B and increase the intracellular GSH levels may prove to be a potent drug for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapy. Mangiferin-mediated down-regulation of NF- B also potentiates chemotherapeutic agent-mediated cell death, suggesting a role in combination therapy for cancer.