Thai scientists, led by Professor Dr Pichaet Wiriyachitra, have unveiled their significant breakthrough on Monday, proving that concentrated extracts from mangosteens contain anti-cancer properties.
Mangosteens have been cultivated and used as an effective traditional medicine in Thailand for centuries. In 1978, Thai scientific studies showed that mangosteens’ rinds helped boost the body’s immune system, as well as helping the body fight off viral and bacterial infections.
After 35 years of research, Dr Pichaet, chairman and chief executive of Asian Phytoceuticals, disclosed during a press conference on Monday that the beneficial effects of the fruit are due to the substance known as GM-1. Doses of GM-1 have been proven to be capable of balancing the body immune system, and in turn making it stronger against pain, fever, inflammation, diarrhea, infection, ulcer, and cancer.
In 2008, Dr Pichaet led a scientific team at the Mangosteen Research and Development Center (Thailand) to conduct Operation a BIM. As a result, the new BIM formula has been prepared using extracts of five kinds of Thai fruit and grains claimed to have helped boost the activation of T helper cells, which play an important role in establishing and maximizing the capabilities of the immune system. The company has since been marketing the extracts as part of dietary supplements for cancer patients, as registered with the Food and Drug Administration.
Experiments conducted with volunteers have conclusively proven that the patented BIM product significantly increases cancer patients’ life expectancy and improves their quality of life. Tests carried out in laboratory and on test subjects in Thailand as well as in partnering countries such as the US and Italy have yielded similarly satisfactory results.
According to Dr Pichaet, the Mangosteen Research and Development Centre also aims at increasing added value of Thai mangosteens in order to solve the problem of oversupply of the locally sourced fruit. The research has helped boost the declining farm incomes caused by a continual drop in mangosteen prices.
