Pharmacological Potentials of Melia Azedarach L. - A Review

Abstract

Medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medicinal practitioners to cure different diseases due to their world-wide availability and fewer side effects. Melia azedarach L. (Ghoda Neem locally) belongs to the family Meliaceae, is a highly significant medicinal plant found almost everywhere in Bangladesh. Traditionally, different parts such as leaf, flower, seed, fruit, and young branches of have been used for the treatment of malaria, diabetes, purgative, cough, skin disease, and so on. Experimental and clinical studies prove that it has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, analgesic, anticancer, antiulcer, antipyretic, antiplasmodial and male contraceptive properties. For the last few decades or so, extensive research work has been done to prove its biological activities and pharmacology of its extracts. The present compendium review will focus on is traditional uses and pharmaceutical activities found on different scientific research and reports. This review also includes reports on phytochemistry, taxonomy, morphology, monographs, distribution and toxic effects of M. azedarach.