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Azadirachta indica (neem): a plant of multiple biological and pharmacological activities

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Abstract

Azadirachta indica, commonly called neem or ‘dogonyaro’ in Nigeria, is a plant that has found varied use in ecological, medicinal and agricultural sectors. Biological and pharmacological activities attributed to different parts and extracts of these plants include antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomal, antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, larvicidal and fungicidal activities. Others include antiulcer, spermicidal, anthelminthic, antidiabetic, anti-implantation, immunomodulating, molluscicidal, nematicidal, immunocontraceptive, insecticidal, antifeedant and insect repellant effects. But toxicological activities such as allergic, genotoxic, cytogenetic and radiosensitizing effects have also been reported in humans and some economic animals, particularly, aquatic organisms, chicks and goats. Bioassay-guided studies and phytochemical analyses utilizing modern state-of-the-art techniques such as HPLC–MS, GC–MS, NMR and Infra Red spectroscopy have revealed that phytocompounds like azadirachtins, nimocinol, isomeldenin, azadirachtol (a tetranortriterpernoid), 2,3′-dehydrosalanol gedunin, nimbin, nimolicinol, odoratone, azadironolide, isoazadironolide, naheedin and mahmoodin are responsible for the varied biological, pharmacological and toxicological properties observed. In this paper, we review how a developing country like Nigeria can harness the numerous opportunities presented by the multi-biological and multi-pharmacological nature of A. indica to solve some of her myriad problems, including those in the agricultural, health and economic sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemistry Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

    Sunday E. Atawodi

  2. Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

    Joy C. Atawodi

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  1. Sunday E. Atawodi
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  2. Joy C. Atawodi
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Correspondence to Sunday E. Atawodi.

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This article is based on a presentation at UNIDO Expert Group Meeting on Strengthening South–South Cooperation and Technology Transfer/Adaptation for the Utilization of Neem in the Production of Biopesticides and Other Products. Abuja Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja Nigeria, November 20–22nd, 2007.

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Atawodi, S.E., Atawodi, J.C. Azadirachta indica (neem): a plant of multiple biological and pharmacological activities. Phytochem Rev 8, 601–620 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-009-9144-6

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