Effect Of Azadirachta Indica Research Articles

Effect of Azadirachta indica on paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in albino rats.

Azadirachta indica, a plant used widely in Ayurveda, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and adaptogenic properties. The present study evaluates its hepatoprotective role. Fresh juice of tender leaves of Azadirachta indica (200 mg/kg body wt. p.o.) inhibited paracetamol (2 g/kg body wt. p.o.)-induced lipid peroxidation and prevented depletion of sulfhydryl groups in liver cells. There was an increase in serum marker enzymes of hepatic damage (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase) after paracetamol administration. Azadirachta indica pretreatment stabilized the serum levels of these enzymes. Histopathological observations of liver tissues corroborated these findings.

Effects of Azadirachta indica (Neem) Extract on Livestock Fleas in Morogoro District, Tanzania

Aqueous neem seed kernels extracts (NSKE) were used to treat flea-infested goats in Morogoro, Tanzania to determine their efficacy for flea control. Mean population densities of the insects were significantly lower in the treated goats compared to their untreated counterparts (P < 0.05). It was concluded that NSKE has potential in controlling livestock fleas, but further studies are needed to determine the active principals against fleas and their mode of action.

Antipyretic effect of Azadirachta indica in bacteria endotoxin induced fever in the rat

Antipyretic effect of Azadirachta indica in bacteria endotoxin induced fever in the rat

Antipyretic effect ofAzadirachta indica in bacteria endotoxin induced fever in the rat

Fever was induced in rats with a single i.p. injection of 30 μg/kg E. coli endotoxin. The effect of the alcohol leaf extract of Azadirachta indica was investigated in this model. Pretreatment of rats with the leaf extract (125–375 mg/kg) did not significantly reduce endotoxin-induced fever. The rectal temperature remained significantly high. In contrast, administration of the same doses of the extract during the early phase of fever development (during temperature rise) produced a significant fall in the rectal temperature to near normal. The maximum rise was 1.0°C which later dropped to 0.18°C, and was sustained even beyond the experimental session. The data obtained suggest the beneficial antipyretic effect of the leaf extract of Azadirachta indica in bacteria endotoxin induced fever. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of trees on the yield of irrigated wheat crop in semi-arid regions

A study was conducted in the semi-arid regions of Haryana, in Northern India, to see the effect of Azadirachta indica, Prosopis cineraria, Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia nilotica on the yield of irrigated wheat crop. Data on crop yield for each tree species at different distances (1, 3, 5 and 7 m) and four directions (east, west, north and south) from the tree bases and control (no trees) were collected. Results indicate that A. indica and P. cineraria did not show any significant difference in the wheat yield while the other two species (D. sissoo and A. nilotica) showed a reduction in wheat yield. A. nilotica had the most significant and prominent effect, and a reduction of nearly 40 to 60% wheat yield was observed. The effect of this tree species was observed even beyond the spread of the crown. D. sissoo reduced yield by 4 to 30% but the reduction was only up to a distance of 3 m. In general, the impact of trees on wheat yield was observed up to 3 m distance and there is little, if any, impact up to 5 m distance and almost no impact at 7 m distance. In all the tree species, the wheat yield was reduced to a maximum on the north side of the trees and had almost no effect in the southern direction. Crop maturity was observed to be delayed by three weeks under A. nilotica, by 9–10 days under D. sissoo, and only by 6–7 days under P. cineraria and A. indica.

Biochemical studies on hypoglycemic agents (I) effect ofAzadirachta indica leaf extract

It was confirmed that extracts of some plants were used in folklore medicine as hypoglycemic agents. Of these plants isAzadirachta indica (“neem”), which grows in tropical regions. The present study deals with biochemical effects of the “neem” leaf water extract given orally to experimental animals, especially the hypoglycemic characteristics. Normals as well as alloxan diabetic rats have been used in this work. The results showed that the “neem” leaf extract produced some hypoglycemia in normal rats when given in two doses, while in diabetic rats there was a decrease in blood sugar, but it could not alleviate the diabetic state. However, the “neem” leaf extract produced some toxic effects in rats, as observed that the clotting time of blood was higher than that of the normal. Serum cholesterol level increased with concomitant decrease in the liver fat as compared to normal levels. There was also a drop in liver proteins which was dose-related. The results were compared with those obtained with an oral hypoglycemic drug (Glibenclamide).

Effect ofAzadirachta indica andPongamia glabra leaf extracts on food utilization and modulation of efficiency of digestive enzymes inEuproctis fraterna (Lepidoptera: Lymantridae)

The effect of application ofAzadirachta indica andPongamia glabra leaf extracts on food consumption and utilization in fifth instar larvae ofEuproctis fraterna, a serious lepidopterous pest on castor,Ricinus communis, is assessed. Reduction in food consumption byEuproctis fraterna feeding on castor leaves treated with extract ofAzadirachta indica was 11% higher than that recorded for castor leaves treated withPongamia glabra. Consumption, assimilation, production and their rates showed a negative correlation with the concentration of the extracts used.