Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is perhaps the most useful traditional medicinal plant in India. Each part of the neem tree has some medicinal property and is thus commercially exploitable. During the last five decades, apart from the chemistry of the neem compounds, considerable progress has been achieved regarding the biological activity and medicinal applications of neem. It is now considered as a valuable source of unique natural products for development of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial products. This review gives a bird’s eye view mainly on the biological activities of some of the neem compounds isolated, pharmacological actions of the neem extracts, clinical studies and plausible medicinal applications of neem along with their safety evaluation. MEDICINAL plants are part and parcel of human society to combat diseases, from the dawn of civilization. Azadirachta indica A. Juss (syn. Melia azadirachta) is well known in India and its neighbouring countries for more than 2000 years as one of the most versatile medicinal plants having a wide spectrum of biological activity. A. indica A. Juss and M. azedarach are two closely related species of Meliaceae. The former is popularly known as Indian neem (margosa tree) or Indian lilac, and the latter as the Persian lilac. Neem is an evergreen tree, cultivated in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. Every part of the tree has been used as traditional medicine for household remedy against various human ailments, from antiquity 1–6 . Neem has been extensively used in ayurveda, unani and homoeopathic medicine and has become a cynosure of modern medicine. The sanskrit name of the neem tree is ‘Arishtha’ meaning ‘reliever of sickness’ and hence is considered as ‘Sarbaroganib arini’. The tree is still regarded as ‘village dispensary’ in India. The importance of the neem tree has been recognized by the US National Academy of Sciences, which published a report in 1992 entitled ‘Neem – a tree for solving global problems’. The advancement of neem research has earlier been documented 7,8

Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica)

Azadirachtin: an update

Over the past 50 years, crop protection has relied heavily on synthetic chemical pesticides, but their availability is now declining as a result of new legislation and the evolution of resistance in pest populations. Therefore, alternative pest management tactics are needed. Biopesticides are pest management agents based on living micro-organisms or natural products. They have proven potential for pest management and they are being used across the world. However, they are regulated by systems designed originally for chemical pesticides that have created market entry barriers by imposing burdensome costs on the biopesticide industry. There are also significant technical barriers to making biopesticides more effective. In the European Union, a greater emphasis on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as part of agricultural policy may lead to innovations in the way that biopesticides are regulated. There are also new opportunities for developing biopesticides in IPM by combining ecological science with post-genomics technologies. The new biopesticide products that will result from this research will bring with them new regulatory and economic challenges that must be addressed through joint working between social and natural scientists, policy makers and industry.

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The development, regulation and use of biopesticides for integrated pest management.

A review of botanical phytochemicals with mosquitocidal potential.

Mechanisms of nematode suppression by organic soil amendments—A review

Les substances derivees du «neem», efficaces contre les insectes sont examines (influence sur le comportement de fixation, la ponte, la prise de nourriture, la metamorphose, la fecondite, la fitners) ainsi que les capacites potentielles des insecticides extraits du neem pour le controle des insectes nuisibles et leurs effets sur les animaux a sang chaud et sur l'homme

Properties and potential of natural pesticides from the neem tree, Azadirachta indica.

The tree and its characteristics biologically active ingredients effects on viruses and organisms neem products for pest management and practical results of neem applications against arthropod pests, and probability of development of resistance toxicity of neem to vertebrates and side effects on beneficial and other non-target organisms various uses of neem products economic, socioeconomic and policy considerations, and neem in sociocultural life in South Asia other meliaceous plants containing ingredients for pest management and other purposes register of scientific and common names. (Part contents).

The neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss. and other meliaceous plants: sources of unique natural products for integrated pest management, medicine, industry and other purposes.

H. Schmutterer

Papers

Properties and potential of natural pesticides from the neem tree, Azadirachta indica.

The neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss. and other meliaceous plants: sources of unique natural products for integrated pest management, medicine, industry and other purposes.

The Neem Tree: Azadirachta indica A. Juss. and Other Meliaceous Plants

The Tree and Its Characteristics

Various Uses of Neem Products