AbstractMangiferin (2C‐β‐d‐glucopyranosyl‐1,3,6,7‐tetrahydroxyxanthone) is a xanthone C‐glycoside occurring in many plant species. Composed of a glucose unit C1→2 linked to a 1,3,6,7‐tetrahydroxyxanthone aglycone, mangiferin exhibits a wide range of biological activities, which recently renewed its interest as a potential pharmacophore. Mangiferin is mainly isolated after extraction procedures from natural sources alongside with its isoforms isomangiferin, homomangiferin, and neomangiferin. However, enzymatic and chemical approaches have been developed to access these phytochemicals, which address the challenging construction of the C‐glycosidic linkage. In addition, both approaches have been exploited to modify the aglycone and the sugar moiety in order to afford analogues with specific and improved pharmacological activities. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review on the biosynthesis and chemical synthesis of mangiferin and its congeners. © 2016 BioFactors, 42(5):445–458, 2016