Phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of Azadirachta indica (Neem) against Enterococcus faecalis: Implications on benefits of traditional medicines

Abstract

Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae), a family of Mahogany trees, is native to the Indian subcontinent. A. indica, known as neem, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to its various medicinal properties, including antibacterial activity. This study analysed the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activities of A. indica against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). This study was conducted between August 2023 and October 2023. Extraction of the active ingredients from A. indica leaves was done using the aqueous and ethanolic solvents. Various concentrations of both extracts of A. indica were tested for antibacterial activity against E. faecalis using the disc diffusion method and sensitivity was measured using the zones of inhibition. This study found the presence of phytochemicals including phenolics and tannins in both extracts. Further, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins were only found in the aqueous extract. Furthermore, steroids were found in the ethanolic extract only. Intriguingly, both aqueous and ethanolic extracts produced activity against E. faecalis with a minimum inhibitory concentration for both tbeing 20 mg/mL. The zones of inhibition increased with an increase in extract concentration, and the largest observed was 9.6 mm using the ethanolic extract. This study highlights the promising antimicrobial properties of both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. indica as exhibited by significant inhibitory activity against E. faecalis. These findings support the traditional use of Neem in folk medicine as an antibacterial agent and highlight its potential for the development of novel therapeutic agents.