Unusually versatile plant genus Azadirachta with many useful and so far incompletely exploited properties for agriculture, medicine and industry

Abstract

Azadirachta indica (Indian Neem), A. siamensis (Thai Neem) and A. excelsa (Marrango, Philippinean/Malaysian Neem) belong to the Mahogany family and are endemic to the Indian subcontinent, with subsequent anthropogenic expansion to South-East Asia, but also into all tropical and subtropical areas of the globe. Traditional neem uses in stored product protection and medicine in India are well established for thousands of years. Recently, modern methods of analytical, organic and biochemistry could explain biochemical mechanisms of action. This was followed by greatly expanded insect management practices based on the useful properties of neem and neem oil. These natural products can serve as insect phago-deterrents and fitness reducing agents against pest insects, but also against bacterial, fungal and virus diseases of plants, domestic animals and humans. Neem products, in concert with pheromones, are the general agents of choice if all other control measures for various reasons fail.

Azadirachtin effects on mating success, gametic abnormalities and progeny survival in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera)

“…It possesses a strong toxicity against insect pests of different orders . Besides its insecticidal action, azadirachtin is also used in traditional medicine, in Asia and in Africa as an antidiabetic, immunostimulant, antimicrobial, antiviral, contraceptive and anticancer remedy …”

“…9,[11][12][13][14] Besides its insecticidal action, azadirachtin is also used in traditional medicine, in Asia and in Africa as an antidiabetic, immunostimulant, antimicrobial, antiviral, contraceptive and anticancer remedy. [15][16][17] Azadirachtin is an insecticide with rapid biodegradability and without resistance problems due to its chemical complexity. 9 This pesticide is also reported to be relatively safer than most conventional insecticides.…”

L’azadirachtine, un pesticide naturel aux effets multiples

“…Azadirachta indica, réputé dans la médecine traditionnelle en Asie et en Afrique, est utilisé pour traiter de multiples affections ( Figure 2) : les allergies (comme antihistaminique), l'asthme, les céphalées, les infections microbiennes et virales, le paludisme, les calculs rénaux, le diabète, mais aussi les maladies cardiovasculaires (hypertension, athérosclérose), gastriques (ulcères) et dermatologiques (plaies septiques, furoncles, démangeaisons dues à la varicelle, gale, leishmaniose). Azadirachta indica présente aussi des propriétés fongicides, antiparasitaires (helminthes), antipyrétiques, anti-inflammatoires immunostimulantes, immunomodulatrices, neuroprotectrices (dans la maladie de Parkinson), contraceptives et anticancéreuses [8][9][10][11][13][14][15][16][17]. Le potentiel fongicide du margousier semble lié à la présence d'azadirachtine et de nimbine [8] ; son effet anticarcinogène reposerait sur l'azadirachtine et le nimbolide [9].…”

Multi-tissue transcriptome analysis using hybrid-sequencing reveals potential genes and biological pathways associated with azadirachtin A biosynthesis in neem (azadirachta indica)

“…With the increasing concern on the threat of chemical pesticides to global crop protection programs, more attention is being paid towards bioactive and biodegradable plant or microbial-based biopesticides. Azadirachtin A, the major insecticidal ingredient in neem-based products, exhibits excellent bioactivity against over 600 insect species [ 1 ] in agricultural areas [ 2 ]. It is processed by insects as a natural hormone and it induces antifeedant, repellent, and growth inhibiting behavior in insects [ 3 ].…”