Antibacterial Properties of Garcinia mangostana Linn. Ethanolic and Methanolic Extracts Against Selected Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria: A Meta-Analysis

Garcinia mangostana Linn., has been studied for its antibacterial properties to augment commercial antibiotics and in the hope of easing reliance on these chemical medications in the future, however, the comparison of the fruit's bactericidal capabilities relative to different bacterial species requires further analyses. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the antibacterial activity of ethanolic and methanolic mangosteen extracts against three species that commonly cause Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)- Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results revealed no significant difference [mean difference: 1.42 (CI:- 3.53 to 6.37, I2 = 99%, Z = 0.56 (P = 0.57))] between the effectiveness of the extracts against S. aureus and E. coli. But it was contrary when P. aeruginosa was compared with S. aureus [mean difference: 5.00 (CI: 4.48 to 5.52, I-2 = 0%, Z = 18.97 (P < 0.00001))] and E. coli [mean difference: 3.96 (CI: 2.01 to 5.92, I-2 = 94%, Z = 3.97 (P < 0.0001))]. Literature search and screening were done following the PRISMA guidelines. Quality assessments utilized the JBI Critical Appraisal Tool and a remodified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A total of 13 studies were included in the review, only 7 of which were eligible for meta-analyses. In conclusion, G. mangostana extracts are indeed effective against multiple microbes, however, relative to the selected bacterial species, inhibition varied. Moreover, this study sheds light on further practical or in vivo applications of mangosteen as a treatment for bacterial infections.