Showing papers on "Azadirachta published in 2014"
TL;DR: In this article, a method to synthesize silver nanoparticles by mixing silver solution with leaf extract of Azadirachta indica without using any surfactant or external energy was developed.
92 citations
TL;DR: The anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of neem components are tumor selective as the effects on normal cells are significantly weaker, and neem extracts sensitize cancer cells to immunotherapy and radiotherapy, and enhance the efficacy of certain cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
91 citations
TL;DR: The Methanolic extract of A.Indica, O.sanctum, M. Elengi, T.cardifolia and Chlorhexidine Gluconate has considerable antimicrobial activity against S. faecalis and S. aureus.
Abstract: Objective: To check the antimicrobial activity of Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Mimusops elelngi (Bakul), Tinospora cardifolia (Giloy) and Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHX) on common endodontic pathogens like Streptococcus mutans , Enterococcus faecalis and staphylococcus aureus . Materials and Methods: The agar diffusion test was used to check the antimicrobial activity of the Methanolic extracts of the medicinal plants along with CHX. Six different concentrations of the tested agents were used for the study. The values of Zone of Inhibition were tabulated according to the concentration of the tested agent and data was statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni post- hoc tests. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) values were also recorded. Results: All the plants extracts showed considerable antimicrobial activity against selected endodontic pathogens. At 3mg. concentration, O.sanctum was the most effective against S. mutans, M. elengi showed highest zone of inhibition against E.faecalis , whereas CHX was the most effective agent against S.aureus . CHX was also the most consistent of all the medicaments testes, showing inhibitory effect against all the tree pathogens at all the selected concentrations. Conclusions: The Methanolic extract of A.Indica, O.sanctum, M. Elengi, T.cardifolia and Chlorhexidine Gluconate has considerable antimicrobial activity against S. mutans, E. faecalis and S. aureus .
81 citations
68 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that NLE induces generation of ROS and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis both in granulosa cells as well as in follicular oocyte, which improves oocyte quality and thereby limits reproductive outcome in mammals.
Abstract: Neem (Azadirachta indica L.) leaf has been widely used in ayurvedic system of medicine for fertility regulation for a long time. The molecular mechanism by which neem leaf regulates female fertility remains poorly understood. Animal studies suggest that aqueous neem leaf extract (NLE) induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) - mediated granulosa cell apoptosis. Granulosa cell apoptosis deprives oocytes from nutrients, survival factors and cell cycle proteins required for the achievement of meiotic competency of follicular oocytes prior to ovulation. Under this situation, follicular oocyte becomes more susceptible towards apoptosis after ovulation. The increased level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) inside the follicular fluid results in the transfer of H2O2 from follicular fluid to the oocyte. The increased level of H2O2 induces p53 activation and over expression of Bax protein that modulates mitochondrial membrane potential and trigger cytochrome c release. The increased cytosolic cytochrome c level induces caspase-9 and caspase-3 activities that trigger destruction of structural and specific proteins leading to DNA fragmentation and thereby oocyte apoptosis. Based on these animal studies, we propose that NLE induces generation of ROS and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis both in granulosa cells as well as in follicular oocyte. The induction of apoptosis deteriorates oocyte quality and thereby limits reproductive outcome in mammals.
67 citations
01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reported that leaves of A. indica possess significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and contain phytoconstituents that may contribute to its medicinal properties, including β-sitosterol, lupeol, rutin, ellagic acid, ferulic acid and quercetin.
Abstract: Results: The total phenol, flavonoid and tannin content were estimated to be 1.03%, 5.33% and 1.83% respectively. HPTLC studies revealed the presence of β-sitosterol, lupeol, rutin, ellagic acid, ferulic acid and quercetin in 50% ethanolic extract. The extract showed significant free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 110.36μg/ml. Ascorbic acid was taken as the standard antioxidant and its IC50 value was 42 μg/ml. The extract showed significant antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, though it inhibited the growth of S. aureus more effectively as compared to E. coli. Conclusion: The results are suggestive that leaves of A. indica possess significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and contain phytoconstituents that may contribute to its medicinal properties.
65 citations
TL;DR: Alternative methods to formulate botanical extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) to improve its biological stability are described and both the importance of the preparation of botanical products, which should be formulated with reproductive levels of active compounds, and also should be characterized by using analytical tools in quality control programs are highlighted.
64 citations
TL;DR: Histological observations evidenced that neem extract effectively rescues the kidney from CP-mediated oxidative damage, and the oral administration of MLEN to CP-intoxicated rats for 5 days brought back MDA, NO production, and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants to near normalcy.
Abstract: We investigated the effects of methanolic leaves extract of Azadirachta indica (MLEN, 500 mg/kg bwt) on cisplatin- (CP-) induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. CP (5 mg/kg bwt) was injected intraperitoneally and MLEN was given by gastric gavage for 5 days before or after CP injection. After 5 days of CP injection, CP-induced injury of the renal tissue was evidenced (i) as histopathological damage of the renal tissue, (ii) as increases in serum uric acid, urea, and creatinine, (iii) as increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), (iv) as decreases in the level of glutathione and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase, and (v) as increase in the expression of nuclear factor kappa B and apoptosis in kidney tissues. However, the oral administration of MLEN to CP-intoxicated rats for 5 days brought back MDA, NO production, and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants to near normalcy. Moreover, the histological observations evidenced that neem extract effectively rescues the kidney from CP-mediated oxidative damage. Furthermore, PCR results for caspase-3 and caspase-9 and Bax genes showed downregulation in MLEN treated groups. Therefore, Azadirachta indica can be considered a potential candidate for protection of nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin.
62 citations
TL;DR: The direct and indirect actions of neem phytochemicals on insect pests are described and practical implications for future pest control strategies are discussed.
55 citations
TL;DR: The results from the study suggest that the leaves of guava, green tea, neem and marigold show anibacterial activity against different bacterial species, which could be used as alternatives to common antimicrobial agents for treatment of bacterial infections.
54 citations
TL;DR: Garlic cloves and papaya seed extract produced complete failure of eclosion of eggs from the treated ticks even at lower concentrations; however, neem, calotropis, and datura was capable of reducing hatchability by 20, 50, and 70 %, respectively.
Abstract: The crude methanolic extract of Datura stramonium, Azadirachta indica, and Calotropis procera leaves, Allium sativum (AS) cloves, and Carica papaya (CP) seeds collected from Banaskanta, Gujarat (India) was tested for its acaricidal properties against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The percent adult mortality within 15 days, reproductive index, percentage inhibition of oviposition, hatching of laid ova, and percentage larval mortality were studied at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml. At the highest concentration (100 mg/ml), the adult tick mortality was 66.67, 73.33, 80.00, and 93.33 % for C. procera, D. stramonium, A. sativum, and C. papaya extracts, respectively, and it was statistically significant (P < 0.001). However, for A. indica, mortality was low and estimated to be 33.33 %. Inhibition of oviposition at the highest concentration of A. indica, C. procera, D. stramonium, A. sativum, and C. papaya extract-treated ticks was 20.73, 71.34, 77.17, 85.83, and 100.00 %, respectively. Inhibition of fecundity of treated groups differed significantly from the control and was concentration dependent. Larvae treated with all the tested concentrations of A. indica, C. procera, D. stramonium, A. sativum, and C. papaya extracts by larval packet test showed significant mortality (P < 0.001) than that of control tick larvae, and at the highest concentration, it was 55.2, 63.2, 71.8, 69.0, and 82.2 %, respectively. Garlic cloves and papaya seed extract produced complete failure of eclosion of eggs from the treated ticks even at lower concentrations; however, neem, calotropis, and datura was capable of reducing hatchability by 20, 50, and 70 %, respectively. The results pointed that the crude extracts of A. sativum cloves and C. papaya seeds have very good acaricidal properties and could be a potential component of alternative R. (B.) microplus tick control strategy.
TL;DR: In this paper, the inhibition effect of Neem extract on microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of API 5L X80 linepipe steel by a sulfate-reducing bacterial (SRB) consortium was investigated.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that plant VOCs contain diversified molecules that affect M. incognita mobility, pathogenicity and reproduction, and suggests that irrigation performed directly after incorporation may trap the V OCs in soil water and thereafter retain nematode toxicity longer than incorporation that is performed later.
TL;DR: Experimental evidence is provided supporting that EEA causes a decreased expression of anti-apoptotic genes and increased pro-APoptotic gene expression at the level of both transcription and translation, for the first time that antifilarial activity of EEA is mediated by ROS up regulation and apoptosis.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the AgNPs synthesized using aqueous extracts of leaves and bark of Az.
Abstract: Green synthesis technology is one of the rapid, reliable and best routes for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). There are bioactive compounds with enormous potential in Azadirachta indica (Neem). The extraordinary mosquitoes warrant nanotechnology to integrate with novel molecules. This will be sustainable technology for future. Here, we synthesized AgNPs using aqueous extracts of leaves and bark of Az. indica (Neem). We tested AgNPs as larvicides, pupicides and adulticides against the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi and filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus. The results were obtained using UV-visible spectrophotometer and the images were recorded with a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The efficacy tests were then performed at different concentrations varying many hours by probit analysis. The synthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape and with varied sizes (10.47-nm leaf and 19.22-nm bark). The larvae, pupae and adults of filariasis vector C. quinquefasciatus were found to be more susceptible to our AgNPs than the malaria vector An. stephensi. The first and the second instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus show a mortality rate of 100 % after 30 min of exposure. The results against the pupa of C. quinquefasciatus were recorded as LC50 4 ppm, LC90 11 ppm and LC99 13 ppm after 3 h of exposure. In the case of adult mosquitoes, LC50 1.06 μL/cm2, LC90 2.13 μL/cm2 and LC99 2.4 μL/cm2 were obtained after 4 h of exposure. These results suggest that our AgNPs are environment-friendly for controlling malarial and filarial vectors.
TL;DR: In this article, silica and phosphate based bioactive glass nanoparticles (58SiO2-33CaO-9P2O5) with doping of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder and silver nanoparticles were prepared and characterised.
Abstract: Silica and phosphate based bioactive glass nanoparticles (58SiO2-33CaO-9P2O5) with doping of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder and silver nanoparticles were prepared and characterised. Bioactive glass nanoparticles were produced using sol-gel technique. In vitro bioactivity of the prepared samples was investigated using simulated body fluid. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of prepared glass particles reveals amorphous phase and spherical morphology with a particle size of less than 50 nm. When compared to neem doped glass, better bioactivity was attained in silver doped glass through formation of hydroxyapatite layer on the surface, which was confirmed through XRD, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. However, neem leaf powder doped bioactive glass nanoparticles show good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and less bioactivity compared with silver doped glass particles. In addition, the biocompatibility of the prepared nanocomposites reveals better results for neem doped and silver doped glasses at lower concentration. Therefore, neem doped bioactive glass may act as a potent antimicrobial agent for preventing microbial infection in tissue engineering applications.
TL;DR: In the CPN group, the histological damage and apoptosis induction caused by CP was improved, whereas morphological findings of neem before and after CP injection implied a well preserved brain tissue.
Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Azadirachta indica leaves against cisplatin (CP)-induced neurotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats were treated with vehicle (control); a single intraperitoneal 5 mg/kg CP (CP group); neem leaves (orally 500 mg/kg) for 5 and 10 days, N5 and N10 groups, respectively; neem leaves (500 mg/kg) for 5 days after CP injection, collagenous protein nitrogen (CPN) group; neem leaves (500 mg/kg) for 5 days before CP injection, noncollagenous protein group and neem leaves in a dose of 500 mg/kg for 5 days before and after CP injection, noncollagenous protein nitrogen group. Rats were sacrificed 5 days after CP injection to determine neural lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH) levels. The neuronal antioxidant enzymes were evaluated in brain homogenates. Results: CP injection increased LPO, NO levels and decreased GSH level, whereas neem reversed these effects. Morphological brain damage and apoptosis induction were apparent in the CP group. In the CPN group, the histological damage and apoptosis induction caused by CP was improved, whereas morphological findings of neem before and after CP injection implied a well preserved brain tissue. No changes, in biochemical parameters were observed with neem treated groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that methanolic extract of neem leaves may be of therapeutic benefit when used with CP.
TL;DR: This study showed that combination of both extracts has better hypoglycemic effect than the single treatment of A. indica or G. procumbens and was potential to develop as a blood glucose-lowering agent for diabetic patients.
Abstract: Purpose: Exploration of plant combinations could be an alternative approach for diabetes treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of combination of A. indica and G. procumbens ethanolic extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: Powder of A. indica and G. procumbens leaves were macerated with ethanol 70%. Determination of rutin in A. indica and quercetin in G. procumbens were performed by TLC-densitometry. Hyperglycemia in rats was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at a single dose of 150 mg/kgBW. The rats were treated with 3 dosage variation of combinations for 15 days. Hypoglycemic effect was evaluated by estimating the blood glucose levels and the rats pancreas histological study.
Results: A. indica contained 2.90±0.15% of rutin and G. procumbens contained 18.86±0.86% of quercetin. Combination at the ratio of 50mg/kgBW A. indica:112.5mg/kgBW G. procumbens showed the highest hypoglycemic effect: 68.74±4.83% (preprandial) and 73.91±3.18% (postprandial). Histological studies indicated that this combination improved the morphology of the islets of Langerhans and β cells. It also increased insulin expression and decreased the elevated-glucose concentrations.
Conclusion: This study showed that combination of both extracts has better hypoglycemic effect than the single treatment of A. indica or G. procumbens. Combination of both extracts was potential to develop as a blood glucose-lowering agent for diabetic patients.
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21 Mar 2014TL;DR: The formation of healthy plants after hardening under outdoor conditions showed that A. indica could be successfully propagated by mini-cuttings techniques and revealed significant effect of different auxins and rooting media on the Neem establishment.
Abstract: Azadirachta indica (Neem), a prodigious multipurpose tree, has immense potential to benefit mankind and to protect the environment. In order to investigate the effects of the auxins hormone and rooting media on root formation in mini-cuttings of A. indica , an experiment was conducted using mist system in poly house in summer 2012. The experiment was established on three different rooting media: sand, vermiculite and soil assembled with six concentrations (100; 250; 500; 750; 1,000 and 1,500 mg L -1 ) of the auxins IBA (indole-3-butyric acid), IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and NAA (α-naphthalene acetic acid) with randomized block design, each block containing four replicates. The basal long soak methods were used for treating cuttings. The data revealed significant effect of different auxins and rooting media on the Neem establishment. The rooted mini-cuttings were assessed for rooting percent, number of roots, root length and number of leaves. In present finding among all the auxins and rooting media, , IBA (250 mg L -1 ) showed better results with sand in terms of rooting percent (80%), number of roots (70.63), root length (11.13) and number of leaves (5.25) per rooted mini-cuttings. The formation of healthy plants after hardening under outdoor conditions showed that A. indica could be successfully propagated by mini-cuttings techniques.
TL;DR: Assessment of antibacterial as well as antiherpes virus activity of sulfonoquinovosyldiacylglyceride (SQDG), a glycolipid, isolated from the leaves of Azadirachta indica has been described, showing significant inhibitory activity against Salmonella typhi and two isolates of Shigella dysenteriae.
Abstract: Assessment of antibacterial as well as antiherpes virus activity ofsulfonoquinovosyldiacylglyceride (SQDG), a glycolipid, isolated from the leavesof Azadirachta indica has been described. Antimicrobial activity was evaluatedagainst Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and herpes simplex virus.SQDG showed significant inhibitory activity against Salmonella typhi and twoisolates of Shigella dysenteriae with MIC values 32 lgml 1 , while three isolatesof Salm. typhi, Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae were inhibited at 64 lgml 1 and have shown zone diameter ranging from 6 2to12 3 mm. The growthkinetics study of SQDG on Salm. typhi and Sh. dysenteriae revealed that thegrowths were completely inhibited at their MIC values within 24 h ofexposure. Interestingly, SQDG inhibits herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and2 with the EC 50 of 9 1 and 8 5 lgml 1 , compared with acyclovir (2 2 and2 8 lgml 1 against HSV-1 and HSV-2). The selectivity index (SI) was foundto be 12 4 against HSV-1 and 13 41 with HSV-2. Furthermore, the expressionof proinflammatory cytokines of HSV-infected and SQDG-treated macrophagesusing ELISA kit revealed that SQDG significantly downregulated theproduction of TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-12 and IL-6.IntroductionThe use of medicinal plants and their compounds as thesource of antimicrobial drugs have become more relevantnow-a-days due to the growing incidence of drug-resis-tant pathogens (Samy and Gopalakrishnakone 2010).Moreover, the incidence of recurrent herpes infection,caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and 2(HSV-2), has increased over the past decade, althoughHSV has been successfully treated with acyclovir since1970s, but its long-term use yielded drug resistance(Whitley and Roizman 2001). Thus, the antimicrobialagents constitute an important class of compounds andtherefore continue to be an attractive field in antimicro-bial therapy.The plant Azadirachta indica A. (Meliaceae) popularlyknown as neem has attracted attention of the researchersfor a long time as it is reported to have several biologicalactivities including antimalarial (Jones et al. 1994), immu-nomodulatory (Van der Nat et al. 1987), antifungal (Sund-arasivarao and Madhusudhanarao 1977), antibacterial (Raoet al. 1986) and so on. As a part of our continuous search
TL;DR: A, B, and C are very promising as oviposition deterrents against the arbovirus vector A. albopictus since they are proved as rich in active metabolites, cheap, and really effective at low doses.
Abstract: Industrial plant-borne by-products can be sources of low-cost chemicals, potentially useful to build eco-friendly control strategies against mosquitoes. Neem cake is a cheap by-product of neem oil extraction obtained by pressing the seeds of Azadirachta indica. Neem products are widely used as insecticides since rarely induce resistance because their multiple mode of action against insect pests and low-toxicity rates have been detected against vertebrates. In this research, we used field bioassays to assess the effective oviposition repellence of neem cake fractions of increasing polarity [n-hexane (A), methanol (B), ethyl acetate (C), n-butanol (D), and aqueous (E) fraction] against Aedes albopictus, currently the most invasive mosquito worldwide. These fractions, already characterized for low nortriterpenoids contents by HPLC analyses, were analyzed for their total content by HPTLC, highlighting striking differences in their chemical composition. Field results showed that B, A, and C tested at 100 ppm exerted higher effective repellence over the control (71.33, 88.59, and 73.49 % of ER, respectively), while E and D did not significantly deter A. albopictus oviposition (17.06 and 22.72 % of ER, respectively). The highest oviposition activity index was achieved by A (−0.82), followed by C (−0.63), and B (−0.62). Lower OAIs were achieved by D (−0.14) and E (−0.09). On the basis of our results, we believe that A, B, and C are very promising as oviposition deterrents against the arbovirus vector A. albopictus since they are proved as rich in active metabolites, cheap, and really effective at low doses.
TL;DR: Evaluated compounds were evaluated for their melanogenesis‐inhibitory activities in B16 melanoma cells induced with α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) and revealed potent cytotoxicities against one or more cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 4.5–9.9 μM.
Abstract: A new limonoid, 7-O-acetyl-7-O-debenzoyl-22-hydroxy-21-methoxylimocinin (2), and two new flavonoids, 3'-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)naringenin (7) and 4'-O-methyllespedezaflavanone C (9), along with nine known compounds, including two limonoids, 1 and 3, and seven flavonoids, 4-6, 8, and 10-12, were isolated from a MeOH extract of the flowers of Azadirachta indica A.Juss. var. siamensis Valeton (Siamese neem tree; Meliaceae). The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. All of these compounds were evaluated for their melanogenesis-inhibitory activities in B16 melanoma cells induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Compound 2 (16.9% melanin content at 30 μM), 6-deacetylnimbin (3; 49.6% melanin content at 100 μM), and kaempferide (10; 41.7% melanin content at 10 μM) exhibited inhibitory effects with no, or almost no, toxicity to the cells (81.0-111.7% cell viability). In addition, evaluation of their cytotoxic activities against HL60, A549, AZ521, and SK-BR-3 human cancer cell lines, isoazadironolide (1), 4'-O-methyl-8-prenylnaringenin (5), euchrestaflavanone A (8), 9, and 3-methoxy-3'-prenylnaringenin (12) revealed potent cytotoxicities against one or more cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 4.5-9.9 μM.
TL;DR: Six new limonoids, 7‐benzoyl‐17‐epinimbocinol (5), 3‐acetyl‐7‐tigloylnimbidinin (8), 1‐isovaleroyl-1‐detigloylsalanninolide (15), 2,3‐dihydro‐3α‐methoxynimbolide(16), deacetyl-20,21‐epoxy‐20,
Abstract: Six new limonoids, 7-benzoyl-17-epinimbocinol (5), 3-acetyl-7-tigloylnimbidinin (8), 1-isovaleroyl-1-detigloylsalanninolide (15), 2,3-dihydro-3α-methoxynimbolide (16), deacetyl-20,21-epoxy-20,22-dihydro-21-deoxyisonimbinolide (26), and deacetyl-20,21,22,23-tetrahydro-20,22-dihydroxy-21,23-dimethoxynimbin (27), along with 28 known limonoids, 1-4, 6, 7, 9-14, 17-25, and 28-34, and two known flavonoids, 35 and 36, have been isolated from the extracts of bark, leaves, roots, and seeds of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. var. siamensis Valeton (Siamese neem tree; Meliaceae). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. All of these compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against leukemia (HL60), lung (A549), stomach (AZ521), and breast (SK-BR-3) cancer cell lines. Eleven compounds, 1, 2, 4-7, 13, 16, 17, 29, and 30, exhibited potent cytotoxicities against one or more cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 0.1-9.3 μM. Compound 16 induced apoptotic cell death in AZ521 cells upon evaluation of the apoptosis-inducing activity by flow cytometric analysis. Western blot analysis on AZ521 cells revealed that compound 16 activated caspases-3, -8, and -9, while increasing the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. This suggested that 16 induced apoptosis via both mitochondrial and death receptor pathways in AZ521. In addition, upon evaluation of all compounds against the melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), 20 limonoids, i.e., 1-3, 6, 9-11, 18, 19, 21-29, 32, and 34, and two flavonoids, 35 and 36, exhibited melanogenesis-inhibitory activities, with no, or almost no, toxicities to the cells at lower and/or higher concentrations, which were more potent than the reference arbutin, a known melanogenesis inhibitor. Western blot analysis showed that nimbin (18) reduced the protein levels of microphtalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosine-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2 mostly in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that 18 inhibits melanogenesis on a α-MSH-stimulated B16 melanoma cells by, at least in part, inhibiting the expression of MITF, followed by decreasing the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2.
TL;DR: Neem irrigant has anti-microbial efficacy and can be considered for endodontic use and found the maximum reduction in microbial loads, when analyzed by culture method, with a combination of SHC and the experimental neem irrigation.
Abstract: Objective: The anti-microbial efficacy of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (SHC) and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate were compared with an experimental irrigant formulated from the Neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Materials and Methods: A sample of 36 single rooted anterior teeth with periapical radiolucency and absence of response to vitality tests that required root canal treatment were selected for this study. The test irrigants and their combinations were assigned to five different groups and saline served as the control. Access cavities were prepared using an aseptic technique and samples collected for both anaerobic culture and Gram stained smears, followed by irrigation and sample collection again. The number of organisms were expressed in colony forming units/ml after 72 h of incubation; the smears were analyzed for their microbial loads and tissue clearance and assessed as per defined criteria. Results: Our results found the maximum reduction in microbial loads, when analyzed by culture method, with a combination of SHC and the experimental neem irrigant. Maximum tissue clearance on the Gram Stained smears was also found with the same combination. Conclusion: Neem irrigant has anti-microbial efficacy and can be considered for endodontic use.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported the modification of Azadirachta indica Juss oil (renewable source) fatty amide by the piperazine molecule to develop a new polyol.
Abstract: We report the modification of Azadirachta indica Juss oil (renewable source) fatty amide by the piperazine molecule to develop a new polyol. Two pack polyurethane (PU) coatings on mild steel plates were prepared by reacting newly developed polyol with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) at room temperature. Spectral studies of Azadirachta indica Juss oil based fatty amide and piperazine modified fatty amide were carried out using spectroscopic techniques to confirm the modification. The prepared resins were also characterized by end group analysis such as amine and hydroxyl values. Anticorrosive properties of the prepared PU coatings were examined by immersion test in an aqueous salt solution. The thermal stability of coatings was studied by TGA. Other coating properties such as gloss, scratch hardness, adhesion, flexibility, impact resistance and chemical resistance were evaluated using standard methods. It was observed that the presence of nitrogen containing piperazine moiety in the back bone of the PU chain shows better anticorrosive properties compared with the Azadirachta indica Juss oil fatty amide based PU coatings.
TL;DR: In response to a polluted atmosphere, the phenology of Ficus benyalensis and Eucalyptus sp. was highly affected as discussed by the authors, and the yield of seeds and fruits of Gunincun officinale and Azadirachta indica was lessened at polluted sites.
Abstract: In response to a polluted atmosphere, the phenology of Ficus benyalensis and Eucalyptus sp. was highly affected. The yield of seeds and fruits of Gunincun officinale and Azadirachta indica was lessened at the polluted sites. The automobile emissions significantly reduced the productivity in G. officinale, F. bengalensis and Eucalyptus sp., whereas, A. indica was comparatively resistant to vehicle exhaust pollution. Leaf area and dry weight were significantly reduced in most of the plants.
TL;DR: The results indicate that neem oil ingestion affects the replacement of midgut epithelium, causing cytotoxic effects that can alter the organism's physiology due to extensive cellular injuries.
TL;DR: Although compound 5 was not cytotoxic against any of the tested cancer cell lines, 5 showed cytotoxicity against KB-C2 cells in the presence of 2.5 μM colchicine, suggesting that 5 might have an MDR-reversal effect.
TL;DR: The first report of any gene expression data in neem tissues is presented, showing that NHMGR was present in fruit, endocarp and mesocarp tissues, but absent in subtractive libraries, revealing that it was successfully eliminated during subtraction.
Abstract: Azadirachta indica (neem) is a medicinally important plant that is valued for its bioactive secondary metabolites. Higher levels of the bioactive phytochemicals are accumulated in fruits than in other tissues. In the present study, a total of 387 and 512 ESTs, respectively, from endocarp and mesocarp of neem fruits were isolated and analyzed. Out of them 318 ESTs (82.17 %) clones from endocarp and 418 ESTs (81.64 %) from mesocarp encoded putative proteins that could be classified into three major gene ontology categories: biological process, molecular function and cellular component. From the analyses of contigs, 73 unigenes from the forward subtracted library and 35 unigenes from the reverse subtracted library were obtained. The ESTs from mesocarp encoded cytochrome P450 enzymes, which indicated hydroxylation to be a major metabolic event and that biogeneration of hydroxylated neem fruit phytochemicals was differentially regulated with developmental stage-specificity of synthesis. Through this study, we present the first report of any gene expression data in neem tissues. Neem hydroxy–methyl glutaryl–coenzyme A reductase (NHMGR) gene was used as expressing control vis-a-vis subtracted tissues. NHMGR was present in fruit, endocarp and mesocarp tissues, but absent in subtractive libraries, revealing that it was successfully eliminated during subtraction. Eight genes of interest from subtracted libraries were profiled for their expression in fruit, mesocarp and endocarp. Expression profiles validated the quality of the libraries and functional diversity of the tissues. The subtractive cDNA library and EST database described in this study represent a valuable transcript sequence resource for future research aimed at improving the economically important medicinal plant.
TL;DR: Camphor oil was found to be highly antifungal and most effective against A niger, and A. flavus, compared with Penicillium sp and gave 100 percentage of growth inhibitions at 5, 1 and 15 ml/dl minimum inhibitory concentration respectively.
Abstract: The whitish tender leaves of Palmyrah are used for making handicrafts. The problem with these articles is discolouration with time and become more brittle due to fungal attack. This could be prevented by some protective coating. Instead of expensive and harmful chemicals we decided to test natural plant essential oils to control fungal attack. Palmyrah leaf article decay fungi were isolated from two different sites of Jaffna peninsula. In this investigation Antifungal Activity of different plant essential oils from neem (Azadirachta indica), castor (Ricinus communis), citronella (Cymbopogon sp) and camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) obtained from local market have been evaluated against isolated fungi. For screening of Antifungal activity, tests and controls were set to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Percentage of Growth Inhibition. Morphologically three different types of Palmyrah leaf decay fungi were isolated and characterized as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium sp. Neem and castor oils have recorded no significant (0.05 > P) antifungal activity while citronella and camphor oils showed significantly different antifungal activity compared with control. Camphor oil and Citronella oil showed 100, 58.13% of average growth inhibition for A. niger. 96.38, 51.32% for A.flavus and 84.99, 72.76% for Penicillium sp respectively. Camphor oil showed highest percentage of growth inhibition at lowest minimum inhibitory concentration compared with citronella oil. Camphor oil was found to be highly antifungal and most effective against A niger, and A. flavus, compared with Penicillium sp and gave 100 percentage of growth inhibitions at 5, 1 and 15 ml/dl minimum inhibitory concentration respectively. Significantly higher broad-spectrum of antifungal activity was observed in camphor oil than other tested oils because it showed highest percentage of growth inhibition at lowest inhibitory concentration. Therefore it could be used for the development of new environmental friendly antifungal agent for the preservation of leafy handicrafts. Further formulation, field experiments are necessary to achieve this target.