Neem (Azadirachta Indica): A Wonderful Gift of Nature
Abstract:
distributed other tropical and subtropical parts of the world. It is the most beneficial and versatile traditional medicinal plant in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Different parts of thi plant, including, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, bark and oil have many curative properties due to their rich source of antioxidant that have been documented in the ancient literature. Neem bark is used as an active component in a number of toothpastes and toothpowders. Neem twigs are used as oral spray, toothache reliever and for rubbing of teeth. In the modern era, it is now considered as a valuable source of unique natural products for development of medicines against various human diseases and produces a large number of phytochemicals with wide spectrum of numerous biological and pharmacological activities and also for the advancement of industrial products. It’s most important bioactive constituent are Azadirachtin, Nimbidin, Nimbinin. This review gives a view mainly on the biological activities of the Neem and some of their compounds isolated, pharmacological actions of the neem extracts, clinical studies and plausible medicinal applications of neem along with their safety evaluation.