Gambogic acid is a xanthonoid that is derived from the brownish or orange resin from Garcinia hanburyi. Garcinia hanburyi is a small to medium sized evergreen tree (up to approximately 15 m in height) with smooth grey bark. It is native to Cambodia, southern Vietnam, and Thailand and has been successfully introduced in Singapore. Gambogic acid is the principal pigment of gambooge resin which, in addition to early traditional medicinal uses in Southeast Asia, is also a sought after dye due to the bright orange color it imparts to cloth. According to traditional Chinese medical documentation, gamboge was described as poisonous and acidic and possessed the ability to detoxify, kill parasites, and stop bleeding as a hemostatic agent. Gambogic acid has also been used in various food preparations in Asian cultures.A high dose of gambogic acid showed slight side effects on the mouse central nervous system.
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