Growth Regulating Effects of Natural Pesticide, Azadirachtin from Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on Insects: A Review

Abstract

Azadirachtin is a tetranortriterpenoid derived from the neem tree Azadirachta indica A. juss. Azadirachtin has attracted worldwide attention as promising feeding deterrent, insect growth disruptor and sterilent. Azadirachtin based pesticides become very much popular because of its biodegradability and least toxicity to non- target organisms. It has now been promoted as an alternative insecticide in integrated pest management programmes. Azadirachtin has an ability to modify or suppress haemolymph ecdysteroid and juvenile hormone titres through inhibition of the secretion of brain peptides prothoracicotropic hormone and allatotropic hormone, which are responsible for inducing the synthesis and release of ecdysone from the prothoracic gland and juvenile hormone from corpora allata, respectively. Blocking the synthesis and release of ecdysone and juvenile hormone leading to disruption of coordination of moulting process. Furthermore, this compound is known to cause degenerative changes in the cells of insect endocrine glands. This review focuses on growth regulating effects of natural pesticide, azadirachtin from neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on insects.