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Brief Introduction
Synonyms--- Neem, Azadirachta indica, Melia azadirachta L. Antelaea azadirachta (L.) Adelb.
Azadirachtin
Chemical Name:dimethyl (2aR,3S,4S,R,S,7aS,8S,10R,10aS,10bR)- 10- (acetyloxy)- 3,5-dihydroxy- 4-[(1S,2S,6S,8S,9R,11S)- 2-hydroxy- 11-methyl- 5,7,10-trioxatetracyclo [6.3.1.02,6.09,11] dodec- 3-en- 9-yl]- 4-methyl- 8-{[(2E)- 2-methylbut- 2-enoyl]oxy}octahydro- 1H-furo[3',4':4,4a]naphtha [1,8-bc]furan- 5,10a(8H)-dicarboxylate
Molecular Formula: C35H44O16
Mol. Wt.: 720.71 g/mol
Molecular Structure:
Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to India, China, Burma, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Pakistan, growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 1520 m (about 5065 feet).
The Indian scientists were the first scientist to bring the plant to the attention of phytopharmacologists. In 1942, while working at the Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory at DelhiUniversity, British India, he extracted three bitter compounds from neem oil, which he named nimbin, nimbinin, and nimbidin respectively. The seeds contain a complex secondary metabolite azadirachtin, and azadirachtol. The leaves and barks contain Alkaloids, Saponins, Tannins, Glycosides Combined anthraquinones, Anthraquinone derivatives, Terpenes, Flavonoids , Reducing sugars, Ketones, Pentoses, Monosaccharide, General Carbohydrates, and etc.
In India, the tree is variously known as "Sacred Tree," "Heal All," "Nature's Drugstore," "Village Pharmacy" and "Panacea for all diseases." Products made from neem tree have been used in India for over two millennia for their medicinal properties: Neem products have been observed to be anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative. Neem products are also used in selectively controlling pests in plants. It is considered a major component in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine and is particularly prescribed for skin disease.
All parts of the tree are said to have medicinal properties (seeds, leaves, flowers and bark) and are used for preparing many different medical preparations.
Part of the Neem tree can be used as a spermicide
Neem oil is used for preparing cosmetics (soap, neem shampoo - Sunsan herbal, balms and creams, for example Margo soap), and is useful for skin care such as acne treatment, and keeping skin elasticity. Neem oil has been found to be an effective mosquito repellent.
Neem derivatives neutralise nearly 500 pests worldwide, including insects, mites, ticks, and nematodes, by affecting their behaviour and physiology. Neem does not normally kill pests right away, rather it repels them and affects their growth. As neem products are cheap and non-toxic to higher animals and most beneficial insects, they are well-suited for pest control in rural areas.
Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine recommend t