Abstract

REVIEW ON THERAPEUTIC ROLE OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA NEEM AND THEIR ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS IN DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Jamuna K. Gadekar*, Amruta H. Kakde, Priyanka A. Shelke and Dr. Gajanan S. Sanap

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Abstract

Neem (Azadirachtaindica) is a member of the Meliaceae family and its role as health-promoting effect is attributed because it is rich source of antioxidant. It has been widely used in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Unani medicines worldwide especially in Indian Subcontinent in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Earlier finding confirmed that neem and its constituents play role in the scavenging of free radical generation and prevention of disease pathogenesis. The studies based on animal model established that neem and its chief constituents play pivotal role in anticancer management through the modulation of various molecular pathways including p53, pTEN, NF-𝜅B, PI3K/Akt, Bcl-2, and VEGF. Neem plays role as free radical scavenging properties, prevention of disease pathogenesis antibacterial, antifungal and antiinflammatory. It also play a key role as anticancerous agent, antipyretic, hypolgcemic, antigastric ulcer, and antitumour activities. In the present review we have summarized the role of Azadirachtaindica in the prevention and treatment of diseases via the regulation of various biological and physiological pathways. In traditional medicine most of the diseases have been treated by administration of plant or plant product. Neem (Azadirachtaindica A. Juss) is the most useful traditional medicinal plant in India. Each part of the neem tree has some medicinal property. During the last five decades, apart from the chemistry of the neem compounds, considerable progress has been achieved regarding the biological activity and medicinal applications of neem. It is now considered as a valuable source of unique natural products for development of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial product.

Keywords: Traditional medicine, azadirachtaindica, pharmacological action.