@article {1442, title = {Formulation and Evaluation of Azadirachta indica Taste Masked Oral Pellets for Gut Microbiome Modulation}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {June 2025}, pages = {823-830}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {823}, abstract = {

Introduction: Azadirachta indica has long been known for its therapeutic benefits, which include immunomodulatory and antibacterial activities. Human health is greatly influenced by the gut microbiota, and disturbances with this composition have been connected to a number of illnesses. Using natural items like Azadirachta indica to alter the gut flora provides a fresh strategy for preserving gut health and averting illness. Aim and Objectives: The purpose of the present research was to create and assess Azadirachta indica taste masked oral pellets for their capacity to alter the gut microbiota and support a balanced microbial population. Materials and Methods: The extrusion-spheronization technique was used to combine Azadirachta indica extract into oral pellets. An evaluation of the physicochemical properties of Azadirachta indica extract was carried out. The pellets were assessed for flow properties, loss on drying, friability, disintegration time to predict taste masking, microbial limit test and in vitro gut microbiome modulation using rat fecal samples. Results: Acceptable physicochemical properties were displayed by the prepared pellets. A well-balanced formulation for quick disintegrating and effective flavor masking is shown by disintegration period, which makes oral pellets highly palatable and suitable for oral administration. Potential for gut microbiome modification was indicated by in vitro study, which showed that prepared pellets specifically suppressed harmful bacteria while encouraging the growth of healthy gut microbiota. Conclusion: The Taste masked oral pellets made from Azadirachta indica demonstrated encouraging outcomes in regulating the microbes in the gut by promoting the development of beneficial bacteria. Potential applications in gut health treatments and as a prophylactic against illnesses linked to the microbiota are suggested by this.

}, keywords = {Azadirachta indica, Extrusion-spheronization, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Taste masked oral pellets etc}, doi = {10.5530/pres.20252118}, author = {Sarika Ankushrao Nikam and Priyatama Vijaysing Powar and Vaibhav Ravindra Vaidya and Devendra Shriram Shirode and Akshaykumar A. Sankaye and Neetu Ashok Khatri} } @article {1137, title = {Investigating the Pharmacognostic and Pharmacological Activities of Azadirachta indica L. through Biochemical Assays}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {February 2023}, pages = {242-254}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {242}, abstract = {

Background: Azadirachta indica L., commonly known as {\textquoteleft}neem{\textquoteright} is a member of the Mahagony family, widely available in Indian sub-continents. Neem tree is popularly known for its vast therapeutic properties such as antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, insecticides and pesticides. The plant leaves are commonly used in several Ayurvedic formulations such as {\textquoteleft}kwath{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}churna.{\textquoteright} Due to its high therapeutic value, it is important to standardize and document the quality parameters of the plant leaves. The A. indica leaves were collected, shade dried and pharmacognostic parameters were performed using techniques such as microscopy, physicochemical tests, viz., extractive values, total ash, acid insoluble ash. Apart from this, pharmacological assays for antioxidant, antidiabetic and antimicrobial activities were performed. Based on the assays and preliminary phytochemical analysis, best extract was selected for further compound(s) detection by HPLC and HPTLC. Results: Neem methanolic extract was found to possess various phytochemicals compared to hexane extract, the methanolic extract of neem leaves also exhibited excellent antioxidant and antidiabetic activity along with good antimicrobial against gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Through HPLC and HPTLC analysis, presence of rutin hydrate, ellagic acid, and quercetin was observed in the neem leaf methanolic extract. The pharmacognostic tests values were found similar to that of stated in IP-2022. Conclusion: This is one of the first kind of research to provide a comprehensive pharmacognostic profile of leaves of A. indica L. as well as its pharmacological evaluation along with compounds detection by high throughput analysis.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant assay, Azadirachta indica, HPLC, HPTLC., Physicochemical analysis, α-amylase enzyme inhibition assay}, doi = {10.5530/pres.15.2.026}, author = {Mamta Yadav and Smita Mishra and Ritu Tiwari and Bhavna Kumari and Mayank Shukla and Meenakshi Dahiya and Anil Teotia and Varsha Mehra and Vivekanandan Kalaiselvan and Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi} } @article {1192, title = {Physicochemical and in vitro Analysis of Herbal Drugs A. indica, C. longa, P. pinnata, P. corylifolia, W. fruticosa for Potential Effect in Psoriasis}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {October 2023}, pages = {831-840}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {831}, abstract = {

Background: Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae), Psoralea corylifolia (Fabaceae), Pongamia pinnata (Fabaceae), and Woodfordia fruticosa (Lythraceae) stand as renowned medicinal plants in India. Traditionally, different parts of these plants have been employed for healing, particularly in the context of treating psoriasis and various other ailments. This catalyzed our investigation into the potential antipsoriatic properties of these botanicals. Objectives: We set out to evaluate the preliminary phytochemical analysis and in vitro antipsoriatic capabilities of acetone, ethanol, and water extracts derived from Curcuma longa, Azadirachta indica, Psoralea corylifolia, Pongamia pinnata, and Woodfordia fruticosa. Materials and Methods: The antipsoriatic potential of these extracts was assessed through the MTT assay, using HaCaT cells. Additionally, we conducted LDH assays and utilized confocal microscopy to gain further insights. Results: Our investigations unveiled the promising antiproliferative activity of these plants on skin keratinocytes. Notably, compounds A, B, and C demonstrated a significant decrease in cell viability compared to the control group. In contrast, compounds D and E did not exhibit significant differences compared to the control. Discussion and Conclusion: These findings substantiate the traditional uses of these plants in the treatment of psoriasis and underscore their potential as valuable resources in the quest for effective antipsoriatic treatments.

}, keywords = {Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, haCaT cells, Pongamia pinnata, Psoralea corylifolia, Woodfordia fruticosa}, doi = {10.5530/pres.15.4.088}, author = {Arun Kumar and Saurabh Singh and Bimlesh Kumar and Sheetu Wadhwa and Dileep Singh Baghel and Narendra Kumar Panday and Sachin Kumar Singh and Shivani and Vikas Kumar Pal} } @article {61, title = {High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis and Antioxidant Activities of Extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) Leaves}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2021}, month = {February 2020}, pages = {29-34}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {29}, abstract = {

Background: Extracts from Azadirachta indica (A. indica) tend to provide numerous health benefits including antioxidant activity. The main objectives for this research were to use standard procedures to determine total phenols, total alkaloids, total flavonoid, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH)-scavenging activity, ferric reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity and analyze active components of the extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Materials and Methods: In vitro antioxidant potential of the A. indica extract was evaluated using DPPH and total antioxidant ability assays. Ferric reducing power ability of the extract was also examined using tannic acid and ascorbic acid as standard. Concentrations of plant extracts ranging from 0.02 to 0.10 mg/ml were prepared and mixed with appropriate volumes of reagents. Results: Methanol extract of A. indica exhibited higher content of phytochemical compounds (alkaloid = 1.9 mg QE/g; flavonoids = 3.5 mg QE/g; and phenols = 4.9 mg QE/g) at concentration 0.1 mg/ml compared to the acetone/water extract (alkaloid = 1.7 mg QE/g; flavonoids = 1.4 mg QE/g; and phenols = 2.6 mg QE/g). An overall trend found in the present study highlights the fact that the methanol extracts have better antioxidant capacities (DPPH, total antioxidant ability, and ferric reducing antioxidant property) than the acetone/water extract. HPLC analysis conducted also reveals seven peaks for methanol extract and six for acetone{\textendash}water extract with different heights. Conclusion: HPLC analysis of A. indica extracts exhibited the presence of azadirachtin compound. The study showed that the extracts can competently protect the body against oxidative stress and therefore can be used as a source of potent natural antioxidant compounds.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant activity, Azadirachta indica, High-performance liquid chromatography analysis, Leaf extracts, Phytochemicals}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_14_19}, author = {Emmanuel Ekow Biney and Matthew Nkoom and Williams Kweku Darkwah and Joshua Buer Puplampu} } @article {211, title = {Antihypertensive Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract of Azadirachta indica is Mediated through Suppression of Renal Caspase 3 Expressions on Nω-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester Induced Hypertension}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {January 2021}, pages = {460-465}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {460}, abstract = {

Background: Azadirachta indica (AI) Adr Juss (Meliaceae), known as neem, has been used traditionally for the treatment of various disease conditions including obesity and hypertension. Objective: The antihypertensive effect and mechanism of action of modulatory effect of AI were investigated after the induction of hypertension using Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Materials and Methods: Five groups of ten rats divided as follows: Control; L-NAME (40 mg/kg); L-NAME + 100 mg/kg AI; L-NAME and 200 mg/kg AI; and L-NAME and Enalapril (25 mg/kg) were used. Results: following the application of L-NAME, hypertension (elevated systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressures) and increased levels of oxidative stress markers were observed in rats. Immunohistochemistry showed increased caspase-3 expressions in hypertensive rats compared to normotensive rats. Conversely, AI treatment resulted in restoration of physiological antioxidant status and normotension, comparable to the standard antihypertensive agent enalapril. Conclusion: AI leaf is a good candidate for the management of high blood pressure.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant, Apoptosis, Azadirachta indica, Hypertension, Oxidative stress, Phytotherapy}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_10_20}, author = {Temidayo Olutayo Omobowale and Ademola Adetokunbo Oyagbemi and Olumuyiwa Abiola Adejumobi and Fisayo Ugbor and Ebunoluwa Racheal Asenuga and Temitayo Olabisi Ajibade and Jeremiah Moyinoluwa Afolabi and Blessing Seun Ogunpolu and Olufunke Olubunmi Falayi and Idayat Titilayo Gbadamos and Olufunke Eunice Ola-Davies and Adebowale Bernard Saba and Anofi Ashafa and Momoh Audu Yakubu and Adeolu Alex Adedapo and Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju} } @article {461, title = {Chemopreventive effect of methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica on experimental Trypanosoma brucei induced oxidative stress in dogs}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {June,2015}, pages = {249-258}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {249}, abstract = {

Introduction: The medicinal properties of Azadirachta indica have been harnessed for many years in the treatment of many diseases in both humans and animals. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five apparently healthy dogs weighing between 3 and 8 kg were randomly divided into five groups with five dogs in each group. Ameliorative effect of A. indica on erythrocyte antioxidant status and markers of oxidative stress were assessed. Liver and kidney function tests were also performed. Results: Pre-treatment with methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica (MEAI) at different doses did not significantly alter the values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity in Trypanosoma brucei infection. Although, serum creatinine significantly (P \< 0.05) decreased with pre-treatment with 50 mg/kg A. indica, after 2 weeks of T. brucei infection. However, the reduced glutathione (GSH) content of the erythrocyte increased significantly in animals pre-treated with 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of A. indica respectively. Markers of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide generated were higher in animals infected with T. brucei with no significant (P \>0.05) difference compared to the values obtained in pre-treated animals. Pre-treatment with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of A. indica significantly (P \< 0.05) decreased serum myeloperoxidase activity at 2 weeks post-infection with T. brucei. Conclusion: From this study, MEAI showed significant ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation during experimental T. brucei infection.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant enzymes, Azadirachta indica, Inflammation, Oxidative stress, Trypanosoma brucei.}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.157972}, author = {Temidayo O. Omobowale and Ademola A. Oyagbemi and Oyefunbi A. Oyewunmi and Olumuyiwa A. Adejumobi} }