Neem (Azadirachta Indica): A Review of Its Phytochemical Constituents, Pharmacological Activities, and Therapeutic Applications

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) is an evergreen tree of the family Meliaceae which grows widely in India and other tropical countries. It has been used in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha for thousands of years, and people in villages still call it the "village pharmacy". Many parts of the tree, such as leaves, bark, seeds, flowers and oil, are used as medicine. Neem contains a large number of chemical compounds, mainly limonoids (azadirachtin, nimbin, salannin), flavonoids, polyphenols and fatty acids. Because of these compounds, neem shows many pharmacological activities, for example antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimalarial, anticancer and wound healing effects. This article gives a simple review of the botanical features, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, therapeutic uses and safety of neem, based on the available literature.