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Our traditional healing practices are deeply rooted in rural communities, where natural resources like plants and minerals and associated indigenous knowledge, formed the core of healthcare systems. These medicinal resources provided important leads to the development of many scientifically validated medicines after rigorous experimental scrutiny in the 19th and 20th centuries. Over 25% of modern drugs are derived from plants or their derivatives or even inspired by nature. Many of the plant-derived modern medicines are still part of the healthcare system in the world. Paclitaxel (tetracyclic diterpenoid from Taxus brevifolia and other Taxus spp.) for various cancers, Artemisinin (sequiterpene lactone from Artemisia annua) for malaria, quinine (alkaloid from Cinchona spp.) for malaria, Digitoxin (cardiac glycoside from Digitalis spp.) for congestive heart failure, Morphine and Codeine (opioid alkaloid from Papaver somniferum) for pain-relieving effect and antitussive properties, Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid from Salix spp.) for anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and antipyretic properties, Colchicine (colchicinic acid from Colchicum autumnale) for antitumor, gout and myocardial infarction, Vinblastine and Vincristine (alkaloids from Catharanthus roseus) as anticancer agents, Bromelain (proteolytic enzyme from Ananas comosus) for anti-inflammatory proprties, Rutin/Rutoside/Sophorin (flavonoid glycoside found Citrus and others members of Rutaceae and some other families) for oedema, endothelial dysfunction and pain relief, and Borneol (terpene derivative from Artemisia spp., Rosmarinus officinalis and others) for treatment of diabetic retinopathy and angina pectoris are some of the common examples of plant derived healing phytochemicals.
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Neem, revered for centuries in traditional medicinal systems, is part of the rural healing practices and is often referred to as the “Village Pharmacy” due to its extensive therapeutic applications. Scientifically known as Azadirachta indica, is an evergreen or semi-evergreen tree from the mahogany family (Meliaceae). Neem is not just connected with the healing practices but is also intimately associated with ecological protection and sacred traditions, giving it a title “Miracle Tree.”
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NAMES IN
DIFFERENT LANGUAGES |
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English: Indian lilac, Margosa tree Hindi:
Neem,
Nim, Arisht, Paribhadra Punjabi:
Nimm Pahari:
Neem Sanskrit:
Arishta, Chhardighna, Cirnaparna, Dhamana, Jyeshthamalaka, Kakaphala, Nibandha,
Nimba, Pakvakrt, Panduraga, Paribhadra, Pichumarda, Pitasaraka, Prabhadra,
Puyari, Rajabhadraka, Sarvatobhadra, Shukapriya, Subhadra, Varatikta,
Varatvaca, Vishirnaparna, Yavaneshta Assamese: Nim Bengali: Nim Gujarati: Limdo Kannada: Bevu, Nimba Kashmiri: Nyombu Konkani: Kodbevu Malayalam: Aryavepp Marathi: Kadulimba, Khatanimba Odia: Nim Pali: Nimba, Panna, Puchimanda Persian:
Azad-Darakht-e-Hind (the free tree of India) Tamil:
Akaluti, Aricu, Arittam, Aruluruti, Arunati, Atipam, Cava-Muli,
Cirina-Pannam, Kacappi, Kati-P-Pakai, Keca-Mutti, Kinci, Kotaravali,
Nalatampu, Nimpam, Niyacam, Picacappiriyam, Picitam, Picumantam, Pumari,
Puyari, Ukkira-Kantam, Vatari, Vempu, Viruntam Telugu: Nimbamu, Picumandamu, Vemu, Vepa Tibetan: Ba-ru-ra, Nim-ba Urdu: Neem SOURCE: Names of Plants in India |
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Neem is native to India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. However, it has been widely introduced into many other countries in tropical and subtropical regions for its innumerable uses.
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MORPHOLOGY
Neem is a medium-sized tree with a rounded and dense crown and reaches a height of up to 25 meters. Although it is an evergreen tree, it may shed most of its leaves in North India under drought conditions, displaying its adaptability to environmental variations. The bark is white, grey, reddish brown and scaly. The leaves are pinnately compound, alternate, 20-40 cm long, and have 10-20 leaflets. Leaflets are dark green, 3-6 cm long, mostly asymmetric, and have serrated margins. The inflorescence is made up of drooping, branched, up to 25 cm long panicles with many flowers. The flowers are white, up to 1 cm long, and fragrant. Sepals are five, light green and connate at the base. Petals are white and folded outwards. Stamens are 10 in number in each flower and form a staminal tube. The ovary is with 1 cm long style and simple stigma. The fruit is elongated to oval to round, olive-like, 1.2-2.5 x 1.0-1.5 cm in size, glabrous drupe.
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Neem plants contain a wide range of phytochemicals with pharmacological potential. Important bioactive chemical constituents reported from neem are Azadirachtin, Beta-sitosterol, Gedunin, Hyperoside, Kaempferol, Linoleic-acid, Meliantriol, Myricetin, Myristic-acid, Nimbandiol, Nimbidin, Nimbin, Nimbinin, Nimbolide, Nimocinol, Oleic-acid, Palmitic-acid, Quercetin, Quercitrin, Rutin, Salannin, Scopoletin, Tannin, etc.
Neem and Turmeric have a long history of use in treating and healing wounds due to their anti-microbial properties. Neem stems are used as a country brush (datun) due to their anti-bacterial effect. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out throughout the world to assess its anti-bacterial potential. Leaf and bark extract has been reported to be effective against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus viridans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis.
Neem is reported to have anti-viral properties. Computational molecular docking and experimental studies with Dengue virus (DENV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, Hepatitis C, and Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV) have reported positive results.
Neem is reported to have broad-spectrum antifungal properties against human, animal, and plant pathogens. The antifungal properties are primarily due to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as azadirachtin, nimbin, nimbidin, quercetin, and gedunin. These phytochemicals are reported to interfere with fungal cell wall synthesis, inhibit enzyme activity and suppress spore germination. Neem extracts are reported to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans and some weak parasites such as Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton rubrum, and Microsporum gypseum.
Leaf extract of neem is reported to have anti-Plasmodium activity. Pharmacologically active constituents such as Nimbin, Nimocinol, Salannin, Gedunin and Meldenin are responsible for its anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei in vitro and against P. vivax in in vivo models.
Medicinal plants are used extensively for wound healing in most of the traditional medicinal systems. Neem is widely used for wound healing by the traditional healers in India. The wound healing properties can be attributed to the presence of fatty acids and phytosterols in neem leaves and seeds. Neem also has potential anti-microbial properties. Dr Samuel and his team have studied the mechanism of wound healing by using neem leaf extract.
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Free radicals (unstable molecules) are responsible for oxidative stress in humans, leading to damage in cell membranes and DNA, which can lead to premature ageing, inflammation, and chronic diseases like cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. The free radicals and reactive oxygen species can be neutralised by many phytochemicals by activating the body’s natural antioxidant defences, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide dioxygenase (NOD). The leaf and bark extracts of neem have considerable antioxidant properties. Azadirachtin, Hyperoside, Nimbolide, Rutin and tannins exhibit excellent antioxidant activity, even better than ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Inflammation is a double-edged sword, mostly linked to free radicals or reactive oxygen species. It is the body's vital defence mechanism against injury or infection on one hand, and can also cause serious diseases, including autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), Type 2 diabetes, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's) when the inflammation becomes chronic. Many phytochemicals express significant anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators like cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and enzymes (COX (Cyclooxygenase) and LOX (Lipoxygenase) responsible for inflammation, pain, and immune response. Neem extracts have been reported to effectively reduce oedema and inflammation in animal models. Neem phytochemicals Nimbin (triterpenes), Nimbidin, Hyperoside, Flavonoids, Oleic-acid and Rutin are reported to have anti-inflammatory activity expressed through various pathways.
Cancer is a major health problem worldwide these days. The alterations or mutations in DNA structure play a significant role in the development and progression of several types of cancers. Many epidemiological studies have proposed that high flavonoid and limonoid intake lowers the risk of cancer. Neem synthesises a large number of phytochemicals such as Azadirachtin, Gedunin, Hyperoside, Kaempferol, Myristic acid, Nimbolide, Oleic acid, Rutin, β-Sitosterol, and Tannins, which play an important role in tumour suppression and cancer risk reduction as reported through many experimental studies on cancer cell lines and animal models. Marius Alexandru Moga and others have reviewed the mechanism of prevention of gynaecological cancers through neem use recently. A similar study was published in the Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research for oral cancers in 2020.
Many medicinal plants are reported to have liver-protecting properties. Different bioactive phytochemicals exert their effect by reducing liver enzymes (ALT, AST), upregulating natural antioxidants (glutathione, SOD, catalase), preventing lipid peroxidation and restoring normal liver structure and function through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Azadirachtin-A and nimbolide are the major experimentally evaluated phytoconstituents in neem. An experimental study carried out in PGI MS Rohtak on rat models has also reported reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (
𝛾-GT) in neem leaf extract-treated animals. Liver necrosis was also reported to be reduced when observed histologically.
Neem bark is used by traditional healers for managing diabetes. Recent experimental studies have validated the traditional use of neem bark in complementary medicine. A study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine has reported that neem extract functions by improving the insulin signalling molecules and glucose utilisation in the skeletal muscles in the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus.
Neem leaf extract has been reported to reduce nephrotoxicity by downregulating malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) production and oxidative stress in rats.
Some diseases, such as diabetic neuropathy, cerebral malaria, and excessive stress, lead to neurological disorders in humans. Recent experimental studies have shown that neem leaf extract can protect the neurons by reducing oxidative stress, modulating inflammatory cytokines, and by restoring the neuron structure and function.
Neem is commonly used for curing a wide range of diseases in rural societies. Neem leaf extract exhibits considerable immunostimulatory activity through humoral and cell-mediated responses. A recent study has explored the various biological pathways through which neem extract exerts its effect on healing processes.
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Aqueous neem extract is generally considered safe if taken in moderate doses. It expresses its harmful effects in high doses, affecting the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. The toxic dose is different for different experimental models. Neem seeds and oil are toxic if taken through the mouth. Nimbin is reported to have spermicidal properties and may reduce fertility. Children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding ladies are advised not to use any neem product.
II. USE IN COSMETICS
Neem is extensively used in cosmetics and personal care products such as soaps, body lotions, creams, facewashes, etc. due to its anti-microbial and healing properties.
III. USES OF WOOD
Neem wood is used for making high-end furniture, artefacts, and other wooden crafts.
Insect pests cause extensive damage to crops, stored grains and natural vegetation, leading to economic losses. They pose a significant threat to global food security. Neem leaves and oil are widely used for pest control in agriculture. Azadirachtin, Meldenin, Salannin, Meliantriol, Nimbin, Nimbinol and 6-o-Acetyl-nimbandiol are major anti-feedant and insecticidal principles present in neem.
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Neem is a powerful natural and an eco-friendly pesticide for managing plant diseases, offering broad-spectrum protection through phytochemicals such as Azadirachtin, Nimbin, Nimbinin, Nimbolide and Gedunin, which disrupt cell membranes, inhibit enzymes, and interfere with fungal growth. Neem-based fungicides have been reported to be highly effective in the management of powdery mildew, leaf spot disease (caused by Alternaria spp.), and fruit rots (caused by Botrytis spp. and Penicillium spp.). Bacterial plant pathogens such as Xanthomonas axonopodis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, Xanthomonas arboricola pv. corylina, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens are susceptible to neem seed extract.
Neem is deeply ingrained in our cultural, spiritual, ecological, and medicinal heritage in India. Its cultural importance dates back to thousands of years as it finds mention in Vedas, Puranas and Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita as a powerful healer. Neem leaves are hung at doorways during festivals to ward off evil spirits and infections. It is associated with purity and protection in Hinduism and symbolises health and longevity. Neem leaves are offered to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Durga during festivals.
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(TEXT IN RED COLOUR CONTAINS HYPERLINKS TO REFERENCES)
