Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
with the activity lasting up to 4 h after the dosing.
251
One of the constituents, nimbidin, showed
significant anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic properties.
252
The insecticidal and antifeedant prop-
erties of neem on various insects have been well documented, and the activity has been claimed
to be comparable with conventional insecticides such as DDT, hexachlorocyclohexane (B-isomer)
(HBC), and carbamyl. The antibacterial activity of the oil has been evaluated (for further reading
on the insecticidal, antifeedant, and antimicrobial activities, see References 253-258).
Azadirachta
extracts and constituents have shown significant broad-spectrum antibacterial activity,
259
as well as
anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antiproliferative activities.
260
Toxicity —
Neem has been associated with liver toxicity. It is likely that it is the nonpolar
extractives that cause the hepatotoxicity, and the therapeutically useful aqueous dosage form may
be devoid of any serious side effects. Liver biopsy of experimentally induced margosa-oil-poisoned
mice demonstrated pronounced fatty infiltration of the liver and proximal renal tubules as well as
cerebral edema and mitochondrial damage. Toxicity of neem has been associated with the etiology
of Reyes syndrome—usually characterized by vomiting, drowsiness, metabolic acidosis, PMN leu-
kocytosis, and encephalopathy—observed in 13 infants within a few hours of ingestion of the oil.
261
Such serious toxicity symptoms have not been reported from the leaves, stem, or root extract. Some
of the constituents of
Azadirachta
have been shown to be cytotoxic.
253,262
Neem-based consumer products used in health care and for cosmetic purposes appear to be
well tolerated, and the toxicity has been detected only in very high doses and after chronic use.
Histopathological exams showed that toxicity was observed in the testicles, liver, and kidneys at a
very high dose of 1600 mg/kg/day.
263
Detailed investigation of the biochemical mechanism of action
and toxicity of this very important medicinal plant is strongly advocated.
BALANITES AEGYPTIACA
Botanical Name —
Balanites aegyptiaca
(L) Del.
