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Kumar Ashok et al. IRJP 2011, 2 (10), 13-15
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY, 2(10), 2011
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY ISSN 2230 – 8407
Available online www.irjponline.com Review Article
THE NATURE'S GIFT TO MANKIND: NEEM
Upma1, Kumar Ashok*2, Kumar Pankaj3 and Kumar Tarun4
1Shri Baba Mastnath Institute of Pharmaceutical sciences & Research, Asthal Bohar, Rohtak, Haryana
2Guru Jambheswar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana
3Swami Vivekanand College of Pharmacy, Sec-8, Ramnagar, Banur, Patiala, Punjab, India
4Institue of Pharmaceutical sciences, Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra-136119, Haryana
Article Received on: 19/08/11 Revised on: 23/09/11 Approved for publication: 12/10/11
*E-mail: ashokchauhan123@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is popularly known as the miracle tree. It is known as ‘Nimba’ in India. The Sanskrit name of neem is ‘Arishtha’ meaning the reliever of the
sickness. Neem also holds medicinal value. Ea ch and every part of neem is used in the medicines. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicines for more than 4000 years. Its
important phytoconstituents are nimbin, nimbinene acetylnimbinase, nimbandial, nimbolide and quercentin. Medicinal uses are purgative, antihemorrhoidal, antihelminthic,
antileprotic and a ntipoisonous in nature. Neem bark is cool, astringent, acrid and r efrigerant. It is useful i n tiredness, cough, fever, loss of appetite, worm infestation. Nimibidin
present in used as antipyretic and non-irritant, and it has found to be effective in t he treatment of skin diseases such as eczema, furunculosis, arsenical dermatitis, burn ulcers,
herpes labialis, scabies and seborrheic dermatitis. Nimbidin and sodium nimbidmate contained in bark are reported to possess spermicidal and anti-inflammatory activity. So it
is a tree that has a long history of use by humans. It is said to have medicinal, cosmetic and insecticidal potential.
KEYWORDS: Azadirachta indica, Ayurvedic medicines, Nimbidin, Antihelminthic, Insecticidal.
INTRODUCTION
Neem; botanically known as Azadirachta indica Juss (syn. Melia
indica and Melia azadirachta) belongs to the Family Meliaceae.
Many other name are likely Bengali: Nim, Nimgachh; Burma:
Bawtamaka, Kamaka, Tamabia, Thamaka; English: Indian Lilac,
Margosa tree, Neem tree; Gujrati: Danujhada, Kohumba, Libado,
Limba, Limbado, Limbra; Hindi: Balnimb, Nim, Nimb, Ninb;
Punjab: Bakam, Bukhain, Drekh, Mahanim, Nim; Sanskrit: Arishta,
Arkapadapa, Chhardana, Hingu, Kaitarya, Neta, Nimba, Nimbaka;
Marathi: Balantanimba Limba, Nimbay, Limba chajhada1. Neem is
one of the most valuable and yet least exploited of all tropical trees.
It grows in arid regions, even nutrient-deficient soil of India and
Africa and is a fast growing source of fuel-wood. In addition, it has
many commercially exploitable and beneficial attributes. It can
survive high temperatures at altitudes between 50 and 1000 meters,
as little rainfall as 130 mm per year and long stretches of drought.
The Neem tree is undemanding and grows well on moist, dry, stony,
clay or shallow soils. The roots seem to have an unusually great
ability to extract nutrients and moisture even from highly leached,
sandy soils. Although Neem grows well at pH 5, it brings surface
soil to neutral by its leaf litter. It propagates easily by seed, without
pre-treatment. Nine to twelve months old seedlings are good for
transplanting. Fruiting begins after five years. In India, the neem
tree flowers from the beginning of January to May and the fruit
matures from May to August2. Neem is a large glabrous tree, 10-20
m high with a straight trunk and long spreading branches. Leaves are
imparipinnate, alternate, existipulate, 3-6 cm long on long slender
petioles; leaflets 7-17; altenuate or opposite, very shortly stalked 1-
15 cm long ovate-lanceolate, attenuate at the apex, unequal at the
base, the upper half much longer than the lower and the leaflet in
consequence more or less falcate, coarsely and bluntly serrate,
smooth and dark green. Odor is typical and taste is bitter. The fruit is
an ovoid bluntly pointed, smooth drupe, green when young and
unripe, yellow to brown when mature and ripe, with a very scanty
pulp and a hard bony endocarp. The seed is solitary with a thick
testa and embryo with foliaceous cotyledons in the axis of scanty
endosperm. The seed contain fixed acrid bitter oil (23-31 %), deep
greenish-yellow to brown in colour, extracted from the seeds by
pressure; specific gravity 0.91; soluble in ether, chloroform;
practically insoluble in alcohol and water, odor of garlic, bitter taste.
The picture of neem is described in Figure 1.
Uses
Root, bark and young fruit are astringent, tonic and antiperiodic.
Bark is bitter, tonic, astringent, antiperiodic and also vermifuge,
cures ulcers and inflammation; good for leprosy, blood complaints,
urinary discharges; recommended for children. Leaves are
anthelmintic, insectisidal, good in ophthalmic, biliousness and skin
diseases. The tender young leaves are astringent; cause “Vata” good
for eye and skin diseases and in leprosy. Oil from nuts and leaves is
local stimulant, insecticide and antiseptic. Flowers are stimulant,
tonic and stomachic. In Ayurveda the juice of the leaves is useful in
biliousness and cures snake bite. In Unani the bark and the leaves
are anthelmintic aphrodisiac, maturant, useful in Leucoderma, Piles,
and Earache; cure all wounds, reduce all inflammation. The flowers
are stimulant and stomachic. The seeds are good for treatment of
Leprosy3.
Phytochemical Investigation
The total bitter principles isolated from fresh neem seed oil by
column chromatography over silica gel (C6H6-EtoAc 2:3) yielded a
new meliacin (80 mg/kg seed oil) named Salannolide4. A new
tetranortriterpenoid nimocinol has been isolated from undried winter
leaves of neem5. Amino acid compositions are presented for the
proteinaceous components of the gum exudated from Albizia
glaberrima, A. sericoephala, Aralia elata, Azadirachta indica,
Entada Africana, Grevillea robusta, Lannea humilis and Moringa
oleifera. The gum from four of these genera Albizia, Azadirachta,
Grevillea and Moringa contain low proportions, all the other contain
high proportions of hydroxyproline. Tetracyclic triterpenoid and
their derivatives have been isolated from neem. The headspace
volatile constituents from freshly crushed neem seeds were purged
with nitrogen, trapped onto amberlite XAD-4 resin, concentrated
into diethyl ether and analyzed by means of gas chromatography,
capillary gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy and high
resolution mass spectroscopy. The volatile constituents were found
to consist principally of derivatives of di-n-propyl and n-propyl-1-
propenyl, di, tri and tetrasulfides. A total of 25 compounds were
identified6. Spectroscopic and biological investigation of nimbolide
and 28-deoxonimbolide from neem was carried out. The
unambiguous 1H and 13 C-NMR assignments of compounds
nimbolide and 28-deoxonimbolide are presented, as well as in vitro
cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines was investigated or
reported7. Mahmoodin, a new limonoid has been isolated from neem
Kumar Ashok et al. IRJP 2011, 2 (10), 13-15
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY, 2(10), 2011
oil along with seven known tetranortriterpenoids, azadirone,
epoxyazadiradione, nimbin, gedunin, azadiradione, deacetylnimbin,
and 17-hydroxyazadiradione. A new protolimonoid, naheedin, has
been obtained from the neem fruits along with azadirachtol.
Mahmoodin showed significant antibacterial activity against various
Gram positive and Gram negative organisms. Four hydrocarbons
icosane, decosane, 2-methyltricosane and docosane have also been
identified by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy of the
ethanol extracts of the fruit coats. Only docosane has earlier been
reported from neem, while the remaining three are unreported from
this plant. Studies on the acidic fraction of the fresh uncrushed twigs
of neem have resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of
one new and three unreported isocoumarins along with two
unreported coumarins. The petroleum ether extract of the fresh
leaves yielded a hydrocarbon fraction, the Gas chromatography-
Mass spectroscopy of which lead to the identification of eight
saturated hydrocarbons, fatty acid compositions of leaves, twigs and
fruits of neem have also been determined. Two novel compounds,
the first 29-oxymethylene azadirachtin analogue, 29-oxymethylene-
11-demethoxy-carbon yl-11 a -hydroxya-zadirachtin and 22, 23-
dihydro-23a-hydroxy-3-tigloyl-11-deoxyazadirachtinin together
with known compound 11-epi azadirachtin were isolated from a
methanolic extract of seed kernels of neem8. Two new triterpenoids
22, 23-dihydronimocinol and desfurano-6a-hydroxyazadiradione
were isolated from a methanolic extract of the fresh leaves of neem
along with a known meliacin, 7a-senecioyl-(7-deacetyl)-23-O-
methylnimocinolide9.
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY
Abortifacient Activity
The dried fixed oil when administered intraperitoneally to rat was
100% effective. Ethanol/water (1:1) extract of the dried seed,
administered orally to pregnant rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg was
inactive. The seed oil, administered intra vaginally to pregnant rat at
doses of 0.25 ml/animal and 12.5 µl/animal was active10.
Analgesic Activity
Ethanol (95%) extract of the dried leaf administered intragastrically
to female mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg was active versus acetic acid-
induced writhing. A dose of 1.0 gm/kg was inactive in the male
versus tail clip method. At a dose of 300 mg/kg the extract was
active versus subcutaneous injection of brewer’s yeast11.
Anhelmintic Activity
A mixture of equal parts of Butea frondosa, Moringa
pterygosperma, Piper nigrum, Azadirachtia indica and Embelia
ribes was taken orally by adults of both sexes, at a dose of 1-2
gm/person with dosing 3 times daily for 4-8 weeks. The results
indicated that the treatment was positive on 11 cases of ascariasis, 9
cases of ancylostomiasis, 9 cases of enterobiasis and 7 cases of
hymenolipis nana. Stool specimens were found negative at the end
of the treatment period12.
Antibacterial Studies
Acetone extract of the oven-dried leaf, on agar plate was active on
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris,
Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Vibrio cholera.
Ethanol (95 %) extract of the dried seed and seed oil, on agar plate
was active on several gram+ve and gram-ve organisms. The
microbial study of the alcoholic extract of the bark and leaves was
carried out by Cup-plate method using gram+ve, gram-ve organisms
and fungi. It was found that the bark is more active than leaves
against gram+ve, gram-ve organisms and fungi13.
Antifertility Activity
A dose of 1 ml/animal administered intra-vaginally to humans and to
rhesus monkeys prior to intercourse was 100% effective. The intra-
vaginal dose of 20.0µl/animal was active in the rabbit. The seed oil,
administered by gastric intubation to male rats at doses of 2 and 4
ml/kg was inactive. A dose of 6 ml/kg was equivocal14.
Anti-inflammatory Activity
Chloroform extract of the fresh stem bark, applied externally to rats
at a dose of 1.0 % was active versus Croton-oil -induced
inflammation of the ear. The extract, when administered
intragastrically to rats at a dose of 1 gm/kg was active versus
carrageenin-induced pedal edema. Ethanol (70%) extract of fresh
bark and leaf, administered by gastric intubation to rats at dose of
400 mg/kg was active versus carrageenin-induced pedal edema15.
Antimalarial Activity
The water extract, when administered orally to mice at a dose of 0.1
gm/kg was active on Plasmodium yoelii. Ethanol (95%) extract of
dried stem bark, in broth culture was inactive on Plasmodium
falciparum16.
CNS-depressant Activity
Methanol extract and the methanol insoluble fraction of the dried
leaf, administered orally to mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg were
active17.
Hypercholesterolemic Activity
Water extract of the dried leaf, administered intraperitoneally to rats
at a dose of 100 mg/kg was active versus stress induced
hypercholesterolemia18.
Antipyretic Activity
Chloroform, water and hexane extracts of a commercial sample of
the seed, administered orally to rabbits at a dose of 150 mg/kg were
inactive versus yeast induced pyrexia19.
Antihyperglycemic Activity
A mixture containing Gymnema sylvestre, Syzygium cumini,
Azadirachta indica and Enicostema hyssopifolium, administered
intragastrically to rats at a dose of 40 mg/kg, was active versus
anterior pituitary extract-induced hyperglycemia. Ethanol (95%)
extract of the dried leaf administered intraperitoneally to rats at
doses of 500 mg/kg and 75 mg/animal were active versus
streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia20.
Antiulcer Activity
Water extract of the dried leaf administered intragastrically to rats at
a dose of 160 mg/kg and a dose of 100 mg/kg administered
intraperitoneally were active versus stress-induced ulcers (restraint).
A dose of 40 mg/kg was active when the animals were pre-treated
for 5 days. The effect of neem extract on gastric ulceration was
studied in albino rats. Neem extract (100-800 mg/kg p.o.; 100-125
mg/kg i.p.) significantly inhibited gastric ulceration by indomethacin
(40 mg/kg). Administration of (800 mg/kg p.o.) and (250 mg/kg.
i.p.) caused 100% cytoprotection against indomethacin (40 mg/kg
i.p.) induced gastric ulceration. In order to investigate the probable
mechanism of neem antiulcer activity, the effect of extract alone and
in combination with histamine (1 mg/kg) and cimetidine (0.12
mg/kg) on gastric acid secretion in-situ was studied. Neem (250
mg/kg) significantly inhibited the basal and histamine induced
gastric acid secretion21.
Antiplaque Activity
A 6 week’s clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of
neem extract dental gel with commercially available chlorhexidine
gluconate (0.2% w/v) mouthwash as positive control. The results
suggest that the dental gel containing neem extract has significantly
reduced the plaque index and bacterial count than that of the control
group22.
Chemoprotective Effects
The modifying effect of ethanolic extracts of neem leaves on
oxidative stress induced by the potent gastric carcinogen N-methyl-
N’nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in male wistar rats was
investigated. The results demonstrate that neem leaf exerts its chemo
protective effects on MNNG-induced oxidative stress by decreasing
lipid peroxidation and enhancing the antioxidant status23.
Kumar Ashok et al. IRJP 2011, 2 (10), 13-15
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY, 2(10), 2011
Antivirus Activity
Ethanol/water (1:1) extract of the dried twig, in cell culture at a
concentration of 0.05 mg/ml was inactive on ranikhet and vaccinia
viruses. Ethanol/water (1:1) extract of the dried root, fruit pulp, leaf
and root wood in cell culture at a concentration of 0.05 mg/ml were
inactive on vaccinia virus24.
Larvicidal Activity
Ethanol/water extract, was tested against culex pipiens mosquito
larvae and pupae in east of the Republic of Algeria under laboratory
conditions25.
CONCLUSION
In present scenario neem provides an answer to many incurable
diseases. From time immemorial neem products have been used
against a wide variety of diseases which include heat-rash, boils,
wounds, jaundice, leprosy, skin disorders, stomach ulcers, chicken
pox etc. Modern research also confirms neem’s curative powers in
case of many diseases i.e. abortifacient activity, analgesic activity,
hypercholesterolemic activity, anti ulcer activity, antivirus activity,
larvicidal activity etc. and provides indications that neem might in
future be used much more widely.
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Figure 1. Morpholgical Structure of Neem
