A review on regeneration potential and commercialization of Azadirachtaindica: A multifunctional tree species

Abstract

“Azadirachta indica” commonly called as neem, nimtree or Indian lilac, is a tree representing plant family “Meliaceae”. It is commonly and natively found in tropical and semi-tropical regions. It has high industrial demand due to its immediate application as an eco-friendly, biodegradable pesticides and immediate availability. The only trading and commercialized way to produce neem is extraction of seeds from the plant, but the seed availability is very limited as the tree flowers once in a year. Also due to firm and harsh out-breeding nature of the plant, seeds are heterozygous, resulting in the production of inconsistent metabolite. But now a day the production of azadirachta has been influenced by various strategies which involve androgenic cultures, beta cell generation, callus cultures, leaf, ovary, zygotic embryo cultures or many other ways. A.indica has been now used as a supplement for drug industry, cosmetics, photochemical, pharmacological and as a therapeutic because of the high content of antioxidant. It is used for the treatment of skin disorders with the help of various commercial products. Azadirachta indica also possesses anticancer activity and as a wound healer. There are many products available in market that can be used for various purposes either it can be for human use or for agricultural or poultry use or as biopesticides, certified by the government. They do not have any side effects and only target the micro-organisms for which they are designed. During pandemic covid-19 also Azadirachta indica has been recommended for different purposes to minimize the infection rate. The present review is to highlight the importance of A.indica, commercialization and with special focus on regeneration protocol development to multiply and enhance the important phytochemicals within it.