An overview on medicinal effects of Indian Magic plant, “Neem”
Abstract:
Most of the diseases have been treated by plant products because they have no side effect. Neem is cultivated in Indo-Pak sub continent. Neem (Azadirachta indica) is the useful traditional plant which has medicinal properties. It has maximum non-wood products as compared to other species, these are leaves, flowers, fruits, bark, seeds, oil, gum and cake. These products are anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-scabic, insecticidal, and spermicidal and some others. Considerable progress has been achieved due to the biological activity.
Key words: Traditional plant, Neem, Neem products, Biological activity
Introduction:
Herbs are used for their medicinal values from many centuries because herbal treatment are easily available, cheap and less toxic (Tewari, 1992).Plants always behave friendly with mankind, they provide food, shelter and also cure elemants. (Charis.2000). Neem is an omnipotent tree. It is a sacred gift of nature. Neem tree is cultivated in Indo-Pak sub continent. Its botanical name is Azadirachta indica. It has been cured various ailments by human beings.(Neem Foundation .All about Neem Mumbai :Neem Foundation; 2012).
In the Western world, people are becoming aware of side effects of synthetic drugs so their interest was increased in plant based medications. The extensive and wide use of synthetic incesticides as DDT during World War II was harmful. Medicinal plants are of great importance in the treatment and cure of diseases.
The height of neem plant is 40-50 feet. It is 70 cm in diameter. Its bark is rough dark brown which consist of white longitudinal fossuries separated by flat ridges. Its leaves are compound imparipinnate, each comparising 5-15 leaflets. (Parotta et al) .Its fruits are of green color. It becomes yellow on ripening. It can be grown on dry, stony shallow soils. It requires little quantity of water and abundance of sunshine. “Azad Darakht-E-Hind” which means “Free tree of India”. It become productive in 20 years ( Thakkar at el).
Neem tree is known as due to its unique characters as fast growth and resistant to drought conditions. (Dalziel, 1995).
Indian rural called this tree as Village Pharmacy cures various diseases from teeth caves to ulcer and malaria (Nix, 2007) .In therapeutic treatments Neem leave, bark extract and oil are used(Tewari,1992).Neem is also known as Village Dispensary in India. Neem tree is also used for solving global problems (Biswas et al.,2002).The US National Academy Of Sciences recognized importance of Neem by publishing a report entitled as “Neem-a tree for solving global problems”(Schmutterer.H et al).
Neem is used as pesticide and it is antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, antipyretic, anti-malaria and anti-fertility. Neem is also used as to control blood glucose level in the patients of Diabetes mellitus.
Taxonomical classification:
(Garish.K at el 2008)
1. Kingdom: Plantae
2. Order: Rut ales
3. Sub order: Rutinae
4. Family: Maliaceae
5. Sub family: Melioideae
6. Tribe: Melieae
7. Genus: Azadirachta
8. Species: Indica
Vernacular Names:
(Parotta J.A at el 2001)
I. Bengali: Nim, Nimgachh
II. Gujrati: Limbado, Limbra, Limdo
III. Hindi: Nim, Nimb
IV. Sanskrit: Nimba, Nimbah, Arista
V. English: Indian Lilac, Margosa tree, Neem tree
VI. Punjabi: Nim, Bakam, Drekh
Botanical description:
The height of neem plant is 40-50 feet. Its bark is rough dark brown which consist of wide longitudinal fissures which is separated by flat ridges. Its leaves are compound, imparipinnate each comprising 5-15 leaflets. Fruits are green and becomes yellow on ripening. Fresh leaves and flowers produce in March-April. Fruits mature between April and August depending upon locality (Protta J.A., et al 2001).
Neem tree propagation:
Neem has extensive and deep root system. It can grow in marginal and leached soils having altitude of 1500m.It has ability to tolerate drought and requires annual rainfall 5001150mm. Neem are not withstand in water-logged areas and poorly drained soils. It can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. Its seeds can germinate readily in 14-21 days at 19-22 oC. Neem tree will grow in full sun. Tree can also grow well in pots. Its size is easily maintained by pruning.
Biological activity of some neem compounds:
About 135 compounds have been isolated from different parts of neem. These compounds have 2 major groups: Isoprenoids (diterpenoids, triterpenoids) and non-isoprenoids (proteins, carbohydrates, sulphurous compounds, polyphenolics) (Biswas et al.,2002).Its chemical composition has 3-4 related main compounds and 20 others are present in smaller quantity but they are also useful. These useful compounds are triterpenes with the most effective limonoids. At least nine limonoids can inhibit the insect growth. Of these limonoids, Azadirachitin is the main ingredient for fighting insects and pests. It has ability to damage the life cycle of insects.
The first compound to be studied was nimbin. It can be obtained from seed oil. It is spermicidal. Nimbin and nimbidin are the compounds which are found in neem tree. They are antiviral and antifungal. They are useful for humans and animals. Nimbidin is antipyretic, spermicidal, antifungal, antibacterial, diuretic, hypoglycaemic, anti-arthritic, anti-gastric ulcer.
Medicinal uses:
Neem tree has many medicinal uses. Sanskrit medical writing tells the benefits of neem’s fruits, seeds, oils, leaves, bark and roots. Each part has been used in the Indian Ayurvedic medicine. It is now using in pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Neem fruits, seeds, oil, bark, leaves and roots are used as antiseptics, antimicrobials and to cure inflammatory diseases.
Advantages of various Neem parts:
All parts of neem are used as medicine from many centuries. All parts of neem tree has some medicinal effect (Brototi.,B et al 2011).
Neem oil:
Neem oil is useful for cosmetics, medicines and some pest controls. Neem oil is derived from crushing the seeds. It is a powerful vermifuge. It is used in aromatherapy. It is effective in the treatment of head lice in children.
Neem seed cake:
Neem seed cake is useful as natural fertilizer and insecticide (Brototi.,B et al).It is also used as animal feed, soil-moisturizer, soil neutralizer and soil protecting.
Neem leaves:
Neem leaves are useful for chicken pox, immune system and foot fungi .It also reduces fever caused by malaria(Brototi.,Bet al).Leaves are antifungal, anticlotting agent, antitumour, antiseptic, antiviral and insect repellent.
Neem bark and roots:
It fights against skin infections such as acne, scabies and eczema, It also cures diabetes, AIDS, cancer, heart diseases, ulcers, allergies, hepatitis and many other diseases (Brototi.,B et al).
Neem wood:
Neem wood is used as agricultural implements, carts, boats, building articles, furniture, idols and tools. In some areas neem wood is used as fuel.
Neem flower:
They are useful for bile suppression and elimination of intestinal worms (Chaurasia et al).They are also used to reduce cough and to balance body temperature. Its flowers are also used in soaps (Brototi.,B et al 2011).
Neem fruit:
Fruits are bitter and purgative in nature. They are also vermifuge (Brototi.,B et al).They can cure piles, intestinal worms, eye problem, diabetes and wounds (Chaurasia et al).
Neem twigs:
Neem twigs are useful for cough, asthma, piles and urinary disorder (Chaurasia et al).
Neem gum:
It is useful for scabies, wounds, ulcers and some skin diseases ( Chaurasia et al).
Neem seeds:
Neem seeds are useful for intestinal worms (Chaurasia et al).
Therapeutic uses:
Adult female take hot water extract of the bark orally as a tonic and emmenagouge (Ross I.A et al 2001).
Hot water extract of leaf and flower is used as an antihysteric treatment (Ross I.A et al 2001).
The dried flower is used orally for diabetes (Ross I.A et al 2001).
The extract of dried fruit in hot water is useful for piles, skin diseases and ulcers (Ross I.A et al 2001).
The extract of entire plant in hot water is used as an insecticide, anthelmintic and purgative (Ross I.A et al 2001).
The juices of bark are used orally for treatment of filariasis (Ross I.A et al 2001).
Fruit leaf and root is mixed with dried ginger and taken orally with lukewarm water for the treatment of common fever (Ross I.A et al 2001).
Bathing with leaves of neem is useful for itching and some skin diseases (Ghani N et al).
Leaf juice is used for nasal infections (Ghani N et al).
Inflammation of throat can be cured by steam inhalation of bark (Ghani N et al).
The twigs of neem tree can be used as tooth brush (Kabeeruddin H et al).
It keeps the body system healthy.It also clean the mouth and breath (Kabeeruddin H et al).
Seed oil is used to cure chronic ulcer(Ghani N et al).
Health and personal care products:
Personal care products are obtained from seed,oil and leaf.In skin care ,having eczema cream and antiseptic cream.In hair care,shampoo and hair oils are included.In oral hygiene,neem twigs are used as tooth brush.Neem leaves are used as tea.Its powder is used in household products,soaps and candles.
Neem and Agriculture:
About one third of the world’s agricultural food is destroying due to the field and storage pests(Mc Ewen,F.L 1998).TO prevent this loss synthetic pesticides are applied,only 1% reaches the target pest other 99% contaminate the ecosystem. Agriculture needs cost-effective,non toxic biodegradable,eco friendly and botanical soft-pesticides(Sateesh,M.,K et al 1998).Neem has the list of 2400 plant species which have pesticidal properties and ecosystem friendly.Neem is also used as biocontrol agent to control many plant diseases(Kak,R.D., et al 2000).
Discussion:
It is the most important tree which is involved in the treatment of various ailments. All parts of neem have some medicinal properties. It has ability to solve major problems of health and food. United Nations announced Neem as the “Tree of the 21th century”. Researchers are trying to search out its more therapeutic uses which are not known. Due to its different characters, it is also known as ‘Village pharmacy or’ ‘Doctor tree’ or ‘Wonder tree of India’.