Showing papers on "Azadirachta published in 2012"

Neem oil (Azadirachta indica) nanoemulsion--a potent larvicidal agent against Culex quinquefasciatus.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nanoemulsion composed of neem oil and non-ionic surfactant Tween 20, with a mean droplet size ranging from 31.03 to 251.43 nm, was formulated for various concentrations of the oil and surfactant. The larvicidal effect of the formulated neem oil nanoemulsion was checked against Culex quinquefasciatus. RESULTS: O/W emulsion was prepared using neem oil, Tween 20 and water. Nanoemulsion of 31.03 nm size was obtained at a 1:3 ratio of oil and surfactant, and it was found to be stable. The larger droplet size (251.43 nm) shifted to a smaller size of 31.03 nm with increase in the concentration of Tween 20. The viscosity of the nanoemulsion increased with increasing concentration of Tween 20. The lethal concentration (LC50) of the nanoemulsion against Cx. quinquefasciatus was checked for 1:0.30, 1:1.5 and 1:3 ratios of oil and surfactant respectively. The LC50 decreased with droplet size. The LC50 for the ratio 1:3 nanoemulsions was 11.75 mg L−1. CONCLUSION: The formulated nanoemulsion of 31.03 nm size was found to be an effective larvicidal agent. This is the first time that a neem oil nanoemulsion of this droplet size has been reported. It may be a good choice as a potent and selective larvicide for Cx. quinquefasciatus. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

An endophytic fungus from Azadirachta indica A. Juss. that produces azadirachtin

Abstract: Azadirachtin A and its structural analogues are a well-known class of natural insecticides having antifeedant and insect growth-regulating properties. These compounds are exclusive to the neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss, from where they are currently sourced. Here we report for the first time, the isolation and characterization of a novel endophytic fungus from A. indica, which produces azadirachtin A and B in rich mycological medium (Sabouraud dextrose broth), under shake-flask fermentation conditions. The fungus was identified as Eupenicillium parvum by ITS analysis (ITS1 and ITS2 regions and the intervening 5.8S rDNA region). Azadirachtin A and B were identified and quantified by LC-HRMS and LC-HRMS2, and by comparison with the authentic reference standards. The biosynthesis of azadirachtin A and B by the cultured endophyte, which is also produced by the host neem plant, provides an exciting platform for further scientific exploration within both the ecological and biochemical contexts.

Toxicity profile of ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica stem bark in male Wistar rats

Abstract: Objective To investigate the toxic implications of ethanolic stem bark extract of Azadirachta indica (A. indica) at 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight in Wistar rats.

A Review on efficacy of Azadirachta indica A. Juss based biopesticides: An Indian perspective

Abstract: Although both synthetic and natural of pesticides are used extensively in the agricultural fields to control crop pests, it is well known that natural pesticides are eco- friendly and are safe to the non target organisms. The Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem tree), has long been recognized for its insecticidal properties. Nearly 550 insect pest species are sensitive to azadirachtin, an active compound extracted from the A. indica tree. Nowadays pesticides from A. indica become very much popular because of their biodegradability, least persistence and least toxic to non-target organisms, economic and easy availability. In India, neem products are effective against various pests of both crop fields as well as stored grains like rice, wheat, corn, legumes, potato, tomato, etc. This review put a light on the use and efficacy of A. indica based pesticides against various pests of both crop fields as well as stored grains of India.

Neem ( Azadirachta indica A. Juss) - A Nature's Drugstore: An overview

Abstract: In traditional medicine most of the diseases have been treated by administration of plant or plant product. Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is the most useful traditional medicinal plant in India. Each part of the neem tree has some medicinal property. 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 the neem and some of their compounds isolated, pharmacological actions of the neem extracts, clinical studies and plausible medicinal applications of neem along with their safety evaluation.

A novel herbal formulation against dengue vector mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop a herbal formulation to control dengue vector mosquitoes. PONNEEM, a novel herbal formulation prepared using the oils of neem (Azadirachta indica), karanj (Pongamia glabra) and their extracts, was tested for larvicidal, ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus at 1, 0.5, 0.3 and 0.1 ppm concentrations. Cent percent larvicidal and ovicidal activities were observed at 0.1 ppm in the two mosquito species under laboratory and sunlight-exposed conditions up to 12 months from the date of manufacture. Oviposition deterrent activity of 69.97% and 71.05% was observed at 1 ppm concentration of PONNEEM against A. aegypti and A. albopictus, respectively. Reduction in enzyme levels for α-esterase was 0.089 ± 0.008 and 0.099 ± 0.140 μg napthol produced/min/mg larval protein; for β-esterase, it was 0.004 ± 0.009 and 0.001 ± 0.028 μg napthol produced/min/mg larval protein; for glutathione S-transferase, it was 10.4814 ± 0.23 and 11.4811 ± 0.21 μmol/min/mg larval protein and for total protein, it was 0.177 ± 0.010 and 0.008 ± 0.005 mg/individual larva in treated groups of A. aegypti and A. albopictus, respectively. The nontarget organisms such as Gambusia affinis and Diplonychus indicus were not affected. No mortality was observed in control. PONNEEM can be used effectively for the management of human vector mosquitoes.

A draft of the genome and four transcriptomes of a medicinal and pesticidal angiosperm Azadirachta indica

Abstract: The Azadirachta indica (neem) tree is a source of a wide number of natural products, including the potent biopesticide azadirachtin. In spite of its widespread applications in agriculture and medicine, the molecular aspects of the biosynthesis of neem terpenoids remain largely unexplored. The current report describes the draft genome and four transcriptomes of A. indica and attempts to contextualise the sequence information in terms of its molecular phylogeny, transcript expression and terpenoid biosynthesis pathways. A. indica is the first member of the family Meliaceae to be sequenced using next generation sequencing approach. The genome and transcriptomes of A. indica were sequenced using multiple sequencing platforms and libraries. The A. indica genome is AT-rich, bears few repetitive DNA elements and comprises about 20,000 genes. The molecular phylogenetic analyses grouped A. indica together with Citrus sinensis from the Rutaceae family validating its conventional taxonomic classification. Comparative transcript expression analysis showed either exclusive or enhanced expression of known genes involved in neem terpenoid biosynthesis pathways compared to other sequenced angiosperms. Genome and transcriptome analyses in A. indica led to the identification of repeat elements, nucleotide composition and expression profiles of genes in various organs. This study on A. indica genome and transcriptomes will provide a model for characterization of metabolic pathways involved in synthesis of bioactive compounds, comparative evolutionary studies among various Meliaceae family members and help annotate their genomes. A better understanding of molecular pathways involved in the azadirachtin synthesis in A. indica will pave ways for bulk production of environment friendly biopesticides.

Phytochemical constituents of some leaves extract of Aloe vera and Azadirachta indica plant species

Abstract: Chloroform and water extractions of Aloe vera and Neem Azadirachta indica leaves were carried out so as to quantify the phytochemical yields in such samples, and to identify their main constituents of active compounds.. The percentage yields obtained through the soxhlet (chloroform) extraction for the A. vera and neem plants were 8.6% and 14.3%, while the percentage yields for the aqueous extracts of the two plants were 5.4% and 6.2%, respectively. The result of the phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, and alkaloids for the A. vera plant with saponins, glycosides phlobatannins, antiquinones carbohydrates, and steroids been absent, while the neem plant contains flavonoids, steroids, carbohydrates, glycosides, antiquinone, terpenoides and alkaloids, with saponins, tannins, phlobatannins been absent. The occurrence of these biologically active chemicals in Neem and A. vera plants may justify their wide usage in traditional medicine.

Synthesis Of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extract Of Neem Leaf And Triphala And Evaluation Of Their Antimicrobial Activities

Abstract: Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves and Triphala-a well known herbal mixture, used widely in treatment of various ailments. The characteristics of silver nanoparticles were studied using NTA, TEM and EDX. The EDX spectrum of the silver nanoparticles confirmed the presence of elemental silver signal. NTA measurements showed that the average size of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Neem leaves extract were 43nm and 59nm for silver nanoparticles synthesized by Triphala. TEM analysis showed that the silver nanoparticles were predominantly spherical in nature. It was found that the growth of gentamycin and ampicillin resistant K. pneuomoniae was inhibited by both Neem and Triphala synthesized silver nanoparticles. Similar observations were noted for gentamicin and piperacillin resistant S. typhi. Fluconazole resistant C. albicans were found to be sensitive to silver nanoparticles. Growth of multiple drug resistant E.coli was inhibited by silver nanoparticles and this effect was augmented by synergistic action of gentamycin and the silver nanoparticles synthesized by aqueous extract of Neem and Triphala.

Antioxidant enzyme changes in neem, pigeonpea and mulberry leaves in two stages of maturity

Abstract: Differential expression of antioxidant enzymes in various growth and differentiation stages has been documented in several plant species. We studied here, the difference in the levels of protein content and antioxidant enzymes activity at two stages of maturity, named young and mature in neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) mill sp) and mulberry (Morus Alba L.) leaves. The results showed that detached neem and pigeonpea mature leaves possessed higher activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) and lower activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) as compared with young leaves. However, glutathione reductase (GR) showed higher activity in mature leaves of neem, whereas no change in its activity was observed in pigeonpea. On the other hand, antioxidant enzymes in mulberry showed either positive (PPO) or negative (POD, GR, APX) correlation with the progression of leaf maturity. Apparently the trend of changes in antioxidant enzymes activity during leaf development is species-specific: their activity higher at mature stage in some plants and lower in others.

Neem cake: chemical composition and larvicidal activity on Asian tiger mosquito

Abstract: New pesticides based on natural products are urgently needed, in consideration of their environmental care and lower collateral effects. Neem oil, the main product obtained from Azadiractha indica A. Juss, commonly known as neem tree, is mainly used in medical devices, cosmetics and soaps, as well as important insecticide. Manufacturing of neem oil first includes the collection of the neem seeds as raw material used for the extraction. Neem cake is the waste by-product remaining after extraction processes. The quality of the oil, as that of the cake, strictly depends from the quality of seeds as well as from the type of extraction processes used, which strongly influences the chemical composition of the product. Currently, the different types of commercial neem cake on the market are roughly identified as oiled and deoiled cake, but several other differences can be detected. The differences are relevant and must be determined, to obtain the necessary correlation between chemical constitution and larvicidal activities. Six different batches of neem cake, marketed by several Indian and European companies, were analyzed by HPLC and HPTLC, and their fingerprints compared, obtaining information about the different compositions, focusing in particular on nortriterpenes, considered as the main active components of neem oil. Therefore, the chemical composition of each cake was connected with the biological activitiy, i.e., the effects of the extracts of the six neem cakes were tested on eggs and larvae of Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) (Diptera: Culicidae), commonly known as Asian tiger mosquito. The results confirmed the previously reported larvicide effects of neem cake that, however, can now be related to the chemical composition, in particular with nortriterpenes, allowing in that way to discriminate between the quality of the various marketed products, as potential domestic insecticides.

Animal and plant originated immunostimulants used in aquaculture

Abstract: The use of immunostimulants as an alternative to the drugs, chemicals and antibiotics currently being used to control fish diseases in fish culture is attracting the attention of many researchers. In this context, many have focused on the use of medicinal plant and animal originated products as potential therapeutic measures for modulating the immune response to prevent and control fish diseases. The possible use of naturally available herbal extract such as Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Phyllanthus emblica (Amla), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Solanum trilobatum (Purple Fruited Pea Eggplant), Eclipta alba (Bhringraj), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), Echinacea (Purple coneflowers), Allium sativum (Garlic), Camellia sinensis (Green tea), Aloe vera, Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda Grass), Achyranthes aspera (Prickly Chaff Flower), Nyctanthes arbortristis (Night-flowering Jasmine), Tinospora cordifolia( Guduchi) and Picrorhiza kurooa( Kutki) and animal originated product like Chitin, chitosan and Fermented products of chicken egg (EF203) etc. has been discussed in this article. The aim of this paper is to review research currently being carried out on the herbal extracts and animal originated products that have been shown to modulate the immune system of fish.

Neem oil limonoids induces p53-independent apoptosis and autophagy

Abstract: Azadirachta indica, commonly known as neem, has a wide range of medicinal properties. Neem extracts and its purified products have been examined for induction of apoptosis in multiple cancer cell types; however, its underlying mechanisms remain undefined. We show that neem oil (i.e., neem), which contains majority of neem limonoids including azadirachtin, induced apoptotic and autophagic cell death. Gene silencing demonstrated that caspase cascade was initiated by the activation of caspase-9, whereas caspase-8 was also activated late during neem-induced apoptosis. Pretreatment of cancer cells with pan caspase inhibitor, z-VAD inhibited activities of both initiator caspases (e.g., caspase-8 and -9) and executioner caspase-3. Neem induced the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria, suggesting the involvement of both caspase-dependent and AIF-mediated apoptosis. p21 deficiency caused an increase in caspase activities at lower doses of neem, whereas p53 deficiency did not modulate neem-induced caspase activation. Additionally, neem treatment resulted in the accumulation of LC3-II in cancer cells, suggesting the involvement of autophagy in neem-induced cancer cell death. Low doses of autophagy inhibitors (i.e., 3-methyladenine and LY294002) did not prevent accumulation of neem-induced LC3-II in cancer cells. Silencing of ATG5 or Beclin-1 further enhanced neem-induced cell death. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or autophagy inhibitors increased neem-induced caspase-3 activation and inhibition of caspases enhanced neem-induced autophagy. Together, for the first time, we demonstrate that neem induces caspase-dependent and AIF-mediated apoptosis, and autophagy in cancer cells.

Effect of the levels of Azadirachta indica dried leaf meal as phytogenic feed additive on the growth performance and haemato-biochemical parameters in broiler chicks

Abstract: A study was conducted to evaluate three different levels of Azadirachta indica dried leaf meal, using diets supplemented with 0 (negative control), 1.25 g antibiotic/kg (positive control), 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 g leaf meal/kg of feed. The chicks were randomly divided into 15 separate floor pens (each 10×15 feet) each comprising 20 chicks and three pens (replicates) per treatment group following completely randomised design. At 28 and 42 d BW and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. At 42 d, five birds per pen were slaughtered to measure dressing percentage and lymphoid organs weight was also determined. Serum protein, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum cholesterol, tissue cholesterol, growth hormone, thyroxine and haematological indices were also determined. At both 28 and 42 d, birds fed diets supplemented with 2.5 g/kg of leaf meal had significantly greater BW and better FCR than those fed diets with 1.25, 5.0...

The cytotoxic and antileishmanial activity of extracts and fractions of leaves and fruits of Azadirachta indica (A Juss.).

Abstract: The leishmaniases are severe parasitic diseases that occur worldwide, caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Studies with medicinal plants can lead to a range of possibilities for treating and improving the patients' quality of life. Research on Azadirachta indica fractions and extracts has shown that they have excellent anti-leishmanial activity based on bioactivity-guided fractionation of ethanolic extracts of leaves and seeds and in vitro activity against promastigotes. In this research the most efficient extracts and fractions were selected for tests on intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. The ethanolic extract of the leaves and dichloromethane and chloroform fractions had IC(50) values of 38, 3.9 and 1.2 μg/mL for promastigotes and 9.8, 1.1 and 0.6 μg/mL for amastigotes, respectively, at 72 hours. For the ethanolic extract and dichloromethane fraction from nut tegument, the IC(50) was 2.7 and 2.1 μg/mL for promastigotes and 0.4 and 0.6 μg/mL for amastigotes. The cytotoxicity of the fractions presented selectivity that was between 8 to 32 times more toxic to promastigotes and 15 to 72 times to amastigotes than to macrophages. The extracts and fractions from leaves and fruits were more effective against amastigotes, and the fractionation increased activity against both promastigotes and amastigotes, enabling us to obtain potentially active fractions with low toxicity.

Screening of indigenous knowledge of herbal remedies for skin diseases among local communities of north west punjab, pakistan

Abstract: The aim of this study was to conduct an ethnobotanical survey of North Western Punjab to identify medicinal plants traditionally used to treat skin infections and to determine their antimicrobial potential against skin-infecting pathogens. Methanolic extracts of selected plants were screened against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using the well diffusion method. Some plants are traditionally used in combination with other plants and chemicals like vinegar and olive oil. Therefore, antimicrobial screening was also done for these combinations in different proportions. Results showed that out of 12 studied plants, six showed inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Azadirachta indica and Mentha arvensis showed high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with similar minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 2.5 and 5mg/ml, respectively. Azadirachta indica, Cassia angustifolia, Phoenix dactylifera and Lawsonia inermis were found to be effective against the fungus Candida albicans, with MIC values of 0.625, 1.25, 0.625, 0.625 mg/ml and MBC values of 1.25, 2.5, 1.25 and 1.25 mg/ml, respectively. None of the plants showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results of the combination experiment demonstrated that antimicrobial activity exhibited by combinations of plant extracts and chemicals was imparted by chemicals like vinegar.

In-vitro evaluation of fungicides, plant extracts and bio-controlagents against rice blast pathogen magnaporthe oryzae couch.

Abstract: Among 5 fungicides viz., Thiophanate-methyl, Carbendazim, Fosetyl-aluminium, Mancozeb and Copper oxychloride, used against the Magnaporthe oryzae, only Mancozeb appeared as the highly effective fungicide that completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungus. All other fungicides showed little effect at higher concentrations. The extracts of garlic (Allium sativum L.), neem (Azadirachta indica L.) and calatropis (Calotropis procera L.) when used against M. oryzae by food poisoning method, only higher dose of garlic completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the test fungus. Six biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma polysporum, Trichoderma pseudokoningii, Gliocladium virens, Paecilomyces variotii and Paecilomyces lilacinus were used. Maximum mycelial inhibition of M. oryzae was provided by P. lilacinus followed by Trichoderma spp.

Antimicrobial Potential Of Azadirachta Indica Against Pathogenic Bacteria And Fungi

Abstract: Drugs from natural sources are used for treating various diseases since the ancient times. From the literature it is clear that various type of pharmacological and biological activities are associated with Azadirachta indica. The leave oil of A. indica is known to have good antimicrobial potential. The oil of A. indica leaves, was tested against the different infectious microorganisms (Gram positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria), such as bacterial strains; S. aureus, E. coli, B. cerus, P. vulgaris, S. typhi, K. pneumonae, S. dysenterae and Fungal strains; F. oxysporum, A. flavus, A. fumigates, A. niger, C. albicans, Cladosporium sp., M. canis, M. gypseum, T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, P. notatum and P. citrinum etc. The results showed that level of antimicrobial activities of the A. indica oil depends on both the protein and carbohydrate contents. Generally, the high level of protein and carbohydrate contents of extract had better antimicrobial activities.

Effects of flask sealing and growth regulators on in vitro propagation of neem ( Azadirachta indica A. Juss.)

Abstract: In vitro propagation of neem (Azadirachta indica A Juss) may offer an efficient alternative to seed propagation of this species For optimization of in vitro propagation, different basal salt formulations, growth regulators, and culture container sealants (polytetrafluoroethylene hydrophobic membranes [PTFE]) were evaluated Nodal segments cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium showed the highest shoot formation per explant (167) Explants cultured in flasks containing MS medium with 05 mg L−1 benzyladenine, 05 mg L−1 kinetin, and 005 mg L−1 naphthaleneacetic acid, and sealed with two PTFE membranes, produced the highest number of shoots (404) In contrast, explants cultured in flasks without membranes showed leaf chlorosis and senescence For plant recovery, regenerants were acclimatized in a substrate of coconut fiber and eucalyptus bark (1:1) and showed 80% survival Our results indicated that the use of flasks with vents was beneficial for in vitro propagation of this important plant

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY INLEAF EXTRACT OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA Linn.)

Abstract: Antimicrobialactivityin leaf extract of neem ( Azadirachta indica ) against human pathogenic bacteria. E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus pumilus. Antimicrobia l activities of alcoholic extracts of neem leaves were used. Varying concent ration of each extracts 200mg/ml, 150 mg/ ml,100mg/ml, 50mg/ml, 25mg/ml prepared by using disc diffusion method. When compared with gentamycin 200mg and gentamycin 10mg, the methanol and ethanol extract shows maximum inhibition on Bacillus pumillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureusin an asending order.

The inhibiting effect of Azadirachta indica againstdental pathogens

Abstract: The present study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of neem extract against three bacterial strains causing dental caries using disc diffusion method. The pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarious and Fusobacterium nucleatum were isolated from dental caries. The organic extracts of neem were prepared using different solvents such as petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and distilled water and were screened for its antimicrobial activity. Among the four extracts of neem, petroleum ether and chloroform extract showed strong antimicrobial activity against S. mutans with inhibition zone of 18 mm at 500 μg concentrations. Chloroform extract of neem showed strong activity against Streptococcus salivarius with inhibition zone of 18 mm. The third strain Fusobacterium nucleatum was highly sensitive to both ethanol and water extract of neems with inhibition zone of 16 mm. The results demonstrate that the chloroform extracts of neem has a strong antimicrobial activity and suggest that it can be useful in the treatment of dental caries.