Gedunin is an important limonoid present in several genera of the Meliaceae family, mainly in seeds. Several biological activities have been attributed to gedunin, including antibacterial, insecticidal, antimalarial, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. The discovery of gedunin as a heat shock protein (Hsp) inhibitor represented a very important landmark for its application as a biological therapeutic agent. The current study is a critical literature review based on the several biological activities so far described for gedunin, its therapeutic effect on some human diseases, and future directions of research for this natural compound.

The Neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss., is known for its large spectrum of compounds with biological and pharmacological interest. These include, among others, activities that are anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. Some neem compounds are also used as insecticides, herbicides, and/or antifeedants. The safety of these compounds is not always taken into consideration and few in vivo toxicity studies have been performed. The current study is a literature review of the latest in vivo toxicity of A. indica. It is divided in two major sections—aquatic animals toxicity and mammalian toxicity—each related to neem’s application as a pesticide or a potential new therapeutic drug, respectively.

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