Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Azadirachta indica, a member of the Meliaceae family, is commonly known as neem and its role in disease cure has been documented. Different parts of this tree contain numerous types of ingredients such as azadirachtin and quercetin and limonoids such as nimbin, nimbidin, and nimbinin with diverse pharmacological activities. Neem tree parts have also been used as a general folk medicine, and more recently, its constituents have been purified and found to possess greater antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancerous activities. Moreover, its constituents also show therapeutic implications in the modulation of cell signaling pathways involved in the management of cancer. Moreover, neem and its ingredient might be a potential candidate in prevention and treatment of tumor due to its broader pharmacological activities. This review presents an overview of the health‑promoting effects of neem and its ingredients through modulation of biological activities.