Title: Neem
Synonyms: Nim; Margosa tree; Indian lilac
Literature References: Tropical evergreen tree,
Azadirachta indica, A. Juss. (
Melia azadirachta L.)
Meliaceae. Habit. India, Southeast Asia, also in Indonesia, Australia, Western Africa. Key active constituent is the limonoid, azadirachtin,
q.v. Medicinal portions are the bark, leaves, fruits, and seeds; traditionally used as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and anthelmintic. Series of articles on chemistry and activity of neem extracts:
Natural Pesticides from the Neem Tree, Proc. 1st Int. Neem Conf., 1980, H. Schmutterer
et al., Eds. (German Agency for Technical Cooperation, Eschborn, 1981) 291 pp. Antifeedant activity of extracts against pea aphid: J. D. Stark, J. F. Walter,
J. Agric. Food Chem. 43, 507 (1995). Use in traditional medicinal remedies: R. N. Chopra
et al., Indigenous Drugs of India (U. N. Dhur & Sons, Calcutta, 2nd ed., 1958) pp 360-363. Cytogenetic toxicity of leaf extract: P. K. Khan, K. S. Awasthy,
Food Chem. Toxicol. 41, 1325 (2003). Review of biological activity of isolated compounds, medicinal use and safety: K. Biswas
et al., Curr. Sci. 82, 1336-1345 (2002); of component and pesticide toxicity in humans and animals: S. J. Boeke
et al., J. Ethnopharmacol. 94, 25-41 (2004); of pharmacology and use in pest management: G. Brahmachari,
Chembiochem. 5, 408-421 (2004); of medicinal and pharmacological activities of leaf extacts: R. Subapriya, S. Nagini,
Curr. Med. Chem. Anticancer Agents 5, 149-156 (2005).
Derivative Type: Fixed oil
CAS Registry Number: 8002-65-1
Synonyms: Oil of neem
Literature References: Obtained by extraction from seeds.
Constit. Limonoids including azadirachtin, nimbin, nimbiol, salannin; fatty acids including oleic, stearic, palmitic. Properties and constituents: J. Kumar, B. S. Parmar,
J. Agric. Food Chem. 44, 2137 (1996). Determn by HPLC of azadirachtin variation among seeds: O. P. Sidhu
et al., J. Agric. Food Chem. 51, 910 (2003); by LC-MS of oils: S. Barrek, P. Paisse,
Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 378, 753 (2004). Toxicology of debitterized oil: N. Chinnasamy
et al., Food Chem. Toxicol. 31, 297 (1993).
Properties: Yellow oil with bitter taste and odor of garlic. d425 0.83-0.98.
nD27 1.4575-1.4675. Sol in ether, chloroform. Practically insol in alcohol, water
Index of refraction: nD27 1.4575-1.4675
Density: d425 0.83-0.98
Use: Insect repellent, antifeedant.
