nutrients Review Multifaceted Health Benefits of Mangifera indica L. (Mango): The Inestimable Value of Orchards Recently Planted in Sicilian Rural Areas Marianna Lauricella 1, Sonia Emanuele 1, Giuseppe Calvaruso 2, Michela Giuliano 2 and Antonella D’Anneo 2,* 1 Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy; [email protected] (M.L.); [email protected] (S.E.) 2 Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy; [email protected] (G.C.); [email protected] (M.G.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.:+390-912-389-0650 Received: 16 March 2017; Accepted: 17 March 2017; Published: 20 May 2017 Abstract: Historically, Mangifera indica L. cultivations have been widely planted in tropical areas of India, Africa, Asia, and Central America. However, at least 20 years ago its spreading allowed the development of some cultivars in Sicily, an island to the south of Italy, where the favourable subtropical climate and adapted soils represent the perfect field to create new sources of production for the Sicilian agricultural supply chain. Currently, cultivations of Kensington Pride, Keitt, Glenn, Maya, and Tommy Atkins varieties are active in Sicily and their products meet the requirements of local and European markets. Mango plants produce fleshy stone fruits rich in phytochemicals with an undisputed nutritional value for its high content of polyphenolics and vitamins. This review provides an overview of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties of mango, a fruit that should be included in everyone’s diet for its multifaceted biochemical actions and health-enhancing properties. Keywords: Mangifera indica L. fruit; nutraceutical properties 1. Introduction Nowadays, the use of medicinal plants and bioactive phytocompounds has seen more growing interest. The importance of a diet rich in polyphenols has long been sponsored and underlined because of their radical scavenging action, as well as anti-carcinogenetic properties [1]. Fruit and vegetables are rich sources of many different bioactive phytocompounds, including phenolic components, anthocyanins, carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin C, which exhibit good antioxidant properties and are, therefore, regarded as an unquestionable component that should be present in everyone’s diet [1]. Epidemiologic studies have consistently shown that consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the incidence of chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease [2–4]. Fruits of tropical and subtropical regions are appreciated for their nutritional value, as well as for the presence of health-enhancing compounds. Mangifera indica L. (mango) is known as “the king of fruits” because it is the most popular fruit in tropical regions. It is the national fruit of India and the Philippines, and the national tree of Bangladesh [5]. The mango belongs to genus Mangifera, which consists of numerous species of tropical fruits in the family of Anacardiaceae [6]. Mangifera indica L. is native to India and Southeast Asia [7] where it has been cultivated for over 4000 years for the good qualities of the fruits. Currently, mango is also grown in Central America [8], Africa [9], Australia [10], Nutrients 2017, 9, 525; doi:10.3390/nu9050525 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients Nutrients 2017, 9, 525 2 of 14 and for a few years in Europe [11]. Over one thousand mango fruit varieties are available worldwide, Nutrients 2017, 9, 525 2 of 14 although only a few are produced on a commercial scale. In the Mediterranean area, Spain and Israel[10], are and the for major a few producing years in Europe countries. [11]. In Over the south one thousand of Italy, particularly mango fruit in varieties Sicily,mango are available began to haveworldwide, an initial although controversial only departurea few are produced in early 1980s on a commercial with the introduction scale. In the of Mediterranean the Kensington area, Pride cultivarSpain inand Catania Israel are province. the major However, producing it countries. was only 20In the years south later of (2000),Italy, particularly after in-depth in Sicily, research, mango that thebegan different to have mango an initial cultivars controversial (Kensington departure Pride, in Tommyearly 1980s Atkins, with the Osteen, introduction Maya, of Kent, the Kensington Irwin, Glenn, andPride Keitt cultivar varieties) in Catania spread province. through However, Sicily, mainly it was in only the provinces20 years later of (2000), Palermo, after Messina, in-depth and research, Catania, thatthat offer the a different particularly mango suitable cultivars environment (Kensington [12 Pr,13ide,]. Albeit Tommy the Atkins, spread Osteen, of local Maya, mango Kent, orchards Irwin, can be compromisedGlenn, and Keitt by varieties) pathogenicity spread [through12], this Sicily, new agriculturalmainly in the recovery provinces of of the Palermo, plant met Messina, the farmer’s and enthusiasmCatania, that to cover offer abandoneda particularly soils, suitable previously environment dedicated [12,13]. to citrus Albeit groves the spread and no of longer local profitablemango fororchards Sicilian rural can be market. compromised An added by valuepathogenicity was also [12], provided this new by agricultural the market surveysrecovery showing of the plant a growing met interestthe farmer’s of local, enthusiasm national, and to cove Europeanr abandoned consumers soils, towards previously a product dedicated that to seems citrus to groves have qualitativeand no longer profitable for Sicilian rural market. An added value was also provided by the market surveys and nutraceutical properties similar to those imported by tropical areas, with the advantage of ripening showing a growing interest of local, national, and European consumers towards a product that seems on the tree and offering a fresh fruit. to have qualitative and nutraceutical properties similar to those imported by tropical areas, with the Our purpose in this review was to provide an exhaustive overview of the main chemical advantage of ripening on the tree and offering a fresh fruit. bioactive components and the relevant pharmacological activities (anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, Our purpose in this review was to provide an exhaustive overview of the main chemical andbioactive anti-cancer) components of the different and the mangorelevant fruit pharmacologic fractions. Throughoutal activities (anti-oxidant, the manuscript anti-inflammatory, we also address all piecesand ofanti-cancer) information of the collected different so mango far on Sicilianfruit fracti mango,ons. Throughout underpinning the itsmanuscript potential we benefits. also address all pieces of information collected so far on Sicilian mango, underpinning its potential benefits. 2. Botanical Characterisation 2. TheBotanical mango Characterisation tree is an evergreen, fast-growing, and long-lived orchard. It is very vigorous with a large canopyThe mango and an tree almost is an circularevergreen, projection. fast-growing, The leaves and lo areng-lived perennial, orchard. deep It green,is very pointed,vigorous and with shiny, a whilelarge the canopy inflorescence and an almost occurs circular in panicles projection. consisting The leaves of about are 3000perennial, whitish-red deep green, or yellowish–green pointed, and flowers.shiny, Inwhile tropical the inflorescence regions the occurs trees canin panicles reach up consisting to 30–40 of m about in height, 3000 whitish-red while in subtropical or yellowish– areas thegreen growth flowers. rate isIn consistentlytropical regions reduced. the trees The can mango reach up fruit to 30–40 has hundreds m in heig ofht, varieties,while in subtropical each having itsareas own the characteristic growth rate taste,is consistently shape, and reduced. size. The Each mango fruit fruit is 5–15 has hundreds cm long andof varieties, 4–10 cm each in having diameter. Usuallyits own its characteristic weight ranges taste, from shape, 150 g toand around size. Each 750 g,fruit reaching is 5–15 approximately cm long and 4–10 390 gcm in Sicilianin diameter. mango fruitUsually [14]. The its weight outer peelranges (exocarp) from 150 is g smooth to around and 750 is g, green reaching in unripe approximately mango, but 390 it g turns in Sicilian golden mango yellow, crimsonfruit [14]. red, The yellow, outer or peel orange-red (exocarp) inis smooth ripe fruits, and dependingis green in unripe upon mango, the cultivar but it type. turns Thegolden endocarp yellow, is a largecrimson ovoid-oblong red, yellow, core or that orange-red contains in aripe single fruits, seed. depending The pulp upon (mesocarp) the cultivar is orange-yellow type. The endocarp in colour, is well-endoweda large ovoid-oblong with numerous core that contains soft fibrils a single (Figure seed.1). The Its flavourpulp (mesocarp) is pleasant is orange-yellow and rich, and in its colour, taste is well-endowed with numerous soft fibrils (Figure 1). Its flavour is pleasant and rich, and its taste is sweet with mild tartness. Mango is consumed fresh or is processed for chutney, pickles, curries, dried sweet with mild tartness. Mango is consumed fresh or is processed for chutney, pickles, curries, dried products, puree, nectar, and canned or frozen slices that are popular worldwide. products, puree, nectar,