Aryaveppu

Aryaveppu

Family: Meliaceae

Botanical Name: Azadirachta inaica Juss

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

Sanskrit: Nimba, Arista, Hinguniryasa, Manda, Tiktaka

English: Neem tree, Margosa tree

Hindi: Neem, Nimb

Malayalam: Aryaveppu, Veppu

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Neem tree is used to stop the bleeding from the nose and mouth due to the bite of vipers. The bark of the tree is used for the preparation of medicinal decoctions.Azadirachta inaica Juss is an herb extensively used in Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathic systems of medicine [7] to treat many health related problems and ailments, and also known to exert anticancer, antioxidant, wound-healing, and antimicrobial properties [5,6,7] is also known to be one of these plants from which almost every part is used, from the Neem oil extracted from its seeds to the leaves and branches.   

NEEM ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS

More than 140 compounds have been isolated from different parts of neem. All parts of the neem tree as leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots and bark have been used traditionally for the treatment of inflammation, infections, fever, skin diseases and dental disorders. Among those active constituents Neem has thirty-one nortriterpenoids, including 28 limonoids and 3 degraded limonoids, and one diterpenoid [3], as well as azadirachtin.

ANTI-MICROBIAL AND ANTI-BACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM)

Among all the properties and health benefits exerted by Azadirachta indica (Neem) we shall highlight one, its ability to treat skin and skin related problems, either as part of poly herbal anti-acne face wash gels formulations [1], or part of anti-microbial preparations against some groups of bacteria as Escherichia coli (E.coli) [2].  Azadirachta indica (Neem) by itself doesn't seem to be much different from any other plant from its family and genus, but when we look closer we find some major differences that may indicate why this plant is so different, its active constituents, among which we find thirty-one nortriterpenoids, including 28 limonoids and 3 degraded limonoids, and one diterpenoid [3]. Image right: Neem tree by Wendy Cutler under Creative Common license (CC BY 2.0).

At least one study reported how five of those active constituents found in Azadirachta indica (Neem) showed an important inhibitory effect on the melanogenesis in the B16 melanoma cells, with results of 74 to 91% reduction of melanin content at 25 microg/ml and almost no toxicity to healthy cells[3], with which Neem becomes one of these plants to be noted for the development of new drugs based on the active constituents of this plant.

Neem leaves are known to possess immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycaemic, antiulcer, antimalarial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antimutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties [5,7], being one of the most active parts of the plant.

ANTI-GINGIVITIS AND ANTIPLAQUE PROPERTIES OF NEEM

The use of Azadirachta indica (neem) for the treatment of dental ailments as gingivitis, plaque and periodontitis has been reported in India since several decades ago, mainly due to its antiseptic properties and activity [9]. In a study in the subject, forty five subjects with plaque induced gingivitis divided in three groups were asked to rinse with 15 ml of mouthwash twice a day.

The study showed that Azadirachta indica (neem) was as effective in reducing periodontitis as Chlorhexidine, reducing significantly gingival, bleeding and plaque indices in the non-placebo groups [9].

NEEM FOR CERVICAL CANCER

In at least one study on the antioxidant properties of neem (Azadirachta indica) in inducing apoptosis of cervical cancer cells, neem demonstrated to be a potent inducer of apoptosis in biopsies of cervical cancer patients [10].