Neem - A Cynosure of Modern Medicine: A Review

Abstract

Azadirachta indica, commonly known as Neem, has attracted worldwide prominence in recent years, owing to its wide range of medicinal properties. Neem has been extensively used in Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathic medicine and thus has become a cynosure of modern medicine. Neem elaborates a vast array of biologically active compounds that are chemically diverse and structurally complex. More than 140 compounds have been isolated from different parts of neem. Each part of the neem tree has some medicinal property. All parts of the neem tree - leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots and bark have been used traditionally for the treatment of inflammation, infections, fever, skin diseases and dental disorders. A wide array of biological activities have been demonstrated in neem such as anti-inflammatory,  anti-arthritic, anti-pyretic, hypoglycaemic, anti-gastric, anti-ulcer, spermicidal, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, diuretic, anti-malarial, anti-tumor, anti-viral, immunomodulatory, etc. In animals too, neem has a profound role to play, especially in wound healing and in treatment of reproductive disorders in bovine. The following review summarises the wide range of pharmacological activities of neem.