Ethnopharmacognostical survey of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae)

Literature data on respectively botany, chemistry, ethnopharmacology, pharmacology and toxicology of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) are reviewed and evaluated. In traditional literature, preparations of the tree are claimed to be vulnerable in wide spectrum of diseases. Especially for inflammation-related diseases a good correlation is found with the results of recent experimental investigations. In addition, a variety of other biological activities are reported. Most frequently the effects can be attributed to compounds representing the structural classes of the limonoids, phenolics and macromolecules. Reported toxicity of preparations and isolated compounds are low, except for the seed oil. In conclusion, A. indica can be regarded as a valuable plant source for the rationalisation of its use in traditional medicine and for modern drug development.