Medicinal Importance of Azadirachta indica: An Overview

Abstract

Background: The neem tree has a long history of being referred to as a "wonder tree." Since the time of the Vedic civilization, neem has been used therapeutically in many different ways in India. The various components of the neem tree, including the stem, bark, roots, leaves, gum, seeds, fruits, and flowers, have a no. of chemical constituents and have been used as traditional medicines. The seeds, leaves, blossoms, and bark of this tree, are used for treating various diseases. Since ancient times, neem tree extracts have been widely employed in health management because they possess a number of health-promoting qualities. Some of the chemical constituents are named quercetin, azadirachtin, a number of limonoids, nimbosterol, etc.
 Objective: The aim of this review is to highlight the potential of Azadirachta indica in the treatment of various ailments and prospects associated with the delivery of Azadirachta indica.
 Methods: We reviewed the literature from journal publication websites and electronic databases, such as Bentham, Springer, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, etc.
 Results: The abundant availability of sources of Azadirachta indica makes a point in favor of exhaustive exploration of this plant. This plant has been used in the treatment of a number of ailments from ancient times by human beings and these are reported to be having anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antihyperglycemic, and antioxidant potential.
 Conclusion: There are a number of health benefits of Azadirachta indica. The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is found to have various medicinal/pharmacological actions.
 Keywords: Azadirachta indica, quercetin, carcinogenic, pharmacological effect, hepatoprotective, peroxidation.