Neem—An Omnipotent Plant: A Retrospection

Abstract

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) has universally been accepted as a wonder tree because of its diverse utility. Multidirectional therapeutic uses of neem have been known in India since the Vedic times. Besides its therapeutic efficacies, neem has already established its potential as a source of naturally occurring insecticide, pesticide and agrochemicals. Safe and economically cheaper uses of different parts of neem in the treatment of various diseases and in agriculture are discussed in this article. It further deals with the active chemical constituents of various neem formulations. Commercially available neem products are also mentioned along with their respective applications. Furthermore, evaluation of safety aspects of different parts of neem and neem compounds along with commercial formulations are also taken into consideration. Systematic scientific knowledge on neem reported so far is thus very useful for the wider interests of the world community.

Morphological effects of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seed oil with known azadirachtin concentrations on the oocytes of semi-engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

“…Among the numerous active ingredients present in Azadirachta indica, azadirachtin is considered the most important and effective, being present predominantly in seeds, leaves, and other parts of the neem tree (Schmutterer 1990;Brahmachari 2004). It presents a broad action spectrum, including growth dysregulation, reduction in ecdysone levels, changes in development and reproduction, and damages in molt processes (Vietmeyer 1992;Brahmachari 2004).…”

“…It presents a broad action spectrum, including growth dysregulation, reduction in ecdysone levels, changes in development and reproduction, and damages in molt processes (Vietmeyer 1992;Brahmachari 2004).…”

“…However, the indiscriminate use of commercial acaricides is an emerging problem, leading to the selection of resistant strains of ticks, toxicity to humans and hosts, and damages to the environment (Blagburn and Dryden 2009;Rosado-Aguilar et al 2010). The adverse effects of synthetic pesticides and the necessity for environmentally safe alternatives for pest control has led to the search for products extracted from plants, among which stand out the extracts from Annona squamosa (Magadum et al 2009), Aegle marmelos, Andrographis lineata, Andrographis paniculata, Cocculus hirsutus, Eclipta prostrata (Elango and Rahuman 2011), Cuminum cyminum, Pimenta dioica (Martinez-Velazquez et al 2011), Acorus calamus (Ghosh et al 2011), and many others, including Azadirachta indica, the neem tree, which stands as one of the options with higher potential (Raizada et al 2001;Brahmachari 2004).…”

Field Efficacy of Neem Seed Oil and Diazinon in the Management of Sweetpotato Weevil, Cylas puncticollis (Boh.) in South-eastern Nigeria

“…S, 2001) and it is classified as moderately toxic, depending on the formulation (Extension Toxicology Network, 1996). Neem-based pesticides are easy to prepare, cheap and highly effective, providing a long term protection (Emosairue & Ukeh, 1996;Umoetok et al, 2009) to plants against pest and constitute an important source of pesticide (Brahmachari, 2004) for economically poor third world country farmers.…”

Elimination of high-risk human papillomavirus type HPV16 infection by ‘Praneem’ polyherbal tablet in women with early cervical intraepithelial lesions

“…Neem tree mainly found in Indian subcontinent, has variety of biological activities and medicinal properties and is being used in traditional and folklore medicine since ages (Satyavati et al 1976;Schmutterer 1995). The constituents of Neem leaf have been demonstrated to have immunomodulatory, anti-inXammatory, antihyperglycaemic, antiulcer, antimalarial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties (Brahmachari 2004;Subapriya and Nagini 2005).…”