The objective of this study is to synthesize neem-silver nitrate nanoparticles (neem-AgNPs) using aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica A. Juss for malaria therapy. Neem leaves collected from FRIM Malaysia were authenticated and extracted using Soxhlet extraction method. The extract was introduced to 1 mM of silver nitrate solution for neem-AgNPs synthesis. Synthesized AgNPs were further characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and the electron-scanning microscopy. Meanwhile, for the anti-plasmodial activity of the neem-AgNPs, two lab-adapted Plasmodium falciparum strains, 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive), and W2 (chloroquine-resistant) were tested. Red blood cells hemolysis was monitored to observe the effects of neem-AgNPs on normal and parasitized red blood cells. The synthesized neem-AgNPs were spherical in shape and showed a diameter range from 31-43 nm. When compared to aqueous neem leaves extract, the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the synthesized neem-AgNPs showed a four-fold IC50 decrease against both parasite strains with IC50 value of 40.920 µg/mL to 8.815 µg/mL for 3D7, and IC50 value of 98.770 µg/mL to 23.110 µg/mL on W2 strain. The hemolysis assay indicates that the synthesized neem-AgNPs and aqueous extract alone do not have hemolysis activity against normal and parasitized red blood cells. Therefore, this study shows the synthesized neem-AgNPs has a great potential to be used for malaria therapy.
The divine tree neem (Azadirachta indica) is mainly cultivated in the Indian subcontinent. Neem has been used extensively by humankind to treat various ailments before the availability of written records which recorded the beginning of history. The world health organization estimates that 80% of the population living in the developing countries relies exclusively on traditional medicine for their primary health care. More than half of the world's population still relies entirely on plants for medicines, and plants supply the active ingredients of most traditional medical products. The review shows the neem has been used by humankind to treat various ailments from prehistory to contemporary.
Azadirachta indica has long been used in traditional medicine. This study focused on isolation and characterisation of active ingredients in the extract, its fractions (NF-EA, NF-AQ, NF-G) and its effect on the cholesterol absorption activity. The NF-EA fraction was identified by marker compounds by LC-ESI-QTOF/MS. Cholesterol absorption activity was performed by measuring the solubility and size of cholesterol micelles. The intestinal motility was also examined by isolated rat's ileum to test the contraction. The extract and its fractions consist of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, like quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin. We found that A. indica extract and NF-EA increase cholesterol micelles size, while the extract, NF-AQ, myricetin and quercetin, reduced the solubility of cholesterol in micelles. The extract and quercetin inhibited the contraction induced by KCl up to 29 and 18%, respectively, and also decreased CaCl2-induced contraction. This finding is in support to traditional uses of A. indica as cholesterol-lowering agents and regulator of gastrointestinal motility.
Currently, the search to identify treatments and vaccines for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are ongoing. Desperation within the community, especially among the middle-and low-income groups acutely affected by the economic impact of forced lockdowns, has driven increased interest in exploring alternative choices of medicinal plant-based therapeutics. This is evident with the rise in unsubstantiated efficacy claims of these interventions circulating on social media. Based on enquiries received, our team of researchers was given the chance to produce evidence summaries evaluating the potential of complementary interventions in COVID-19 management. Here, we present and discuss the findings of four selected medicinal plants (Nigella sativa, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Eurycoma longifolia), with reported antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects that might be interesting for further investigation. Our findings showed that only A. indica reported positive antiviral evidence specific to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) based on preliminary in silico data while all four medicinal plants demonstrated differential anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effects. The definitive roles of these medicinal plants in cytokine storms and post-infection complications remains to be further investigated. Quality control and standardisation of medicinal plant-based products also needs to be emphasized. However, given the unprecedented challenges faced, ethnopharmacological research should be given a fair amount of consideration for contribution in this pandemic.
Azadirachta indica (neem) has been used for a long time in agricultural and alternative medicine. Neem
had been proved effective against certain fungi that could infect human body. This pilot study aims to
demonstrate the antifungal effect of Malaysian neem leaf extracts on the pathogenic fungi in otomycosis,
Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. This is a laboratory-controlled prospective study conducted at
Universiti Sains Malaysia. The powder form of Malaysian neem leaf was prepared. Ethanol and aqueous
extracts of the neem leaf was diluted with sterile water to establish five different concentrations of 50 g/
ml, 25 g/ml, 12.5 g/ml, 6.25 g/ml and 3.125g/ml. The extract was tested on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar
suspended with Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger respectively. Well diffusion method was used
and zone of inhibition was measured. Growth of the fungi was inhibited in both alcohol and aqueous
extract concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Malaysian neem aqueous extract
against Candida albicans was 11.91 g/ml, neem ethanol extract against Candida albicans was 5.16 g/
ml, neem aqueous extract against Aspergillus niger was 7.73 g/ml and neem ethanol extract against
Aspergillus niger was 9.25 g/ml. Statistical analysis showed that the antifungal activity of Candida
albicans is better in alcohol neem than aqueous extract (p
The present work reports the successful synthesis of biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) with the use of non-toxic leaf extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The successful synthesis was confirmed by infrared spectra analysis with strong peak observed between 400-600 cm-1 that corresponds to magnetite nanoparticles characteristics. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that iron oxide nanoparticles were of high purity with crystalline cubic structure phases in nature. Besides, the average size of magnetite nanoparticles was observed to be 9-12 nm with mostly irregular shapes using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and was supported by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Energy dispersive X-ray analysis shown that the elements iron (Fe) and oxygen (O) were present with atomic percentages of 33.29% and 66.71%, respectively. From the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis it was proven that the nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic properties with a magnetization value of 73 emu/g and the results showed superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, suggesting potential applications for a magnetic targeting drug delivery system.
Thirteen Malaysian plants; Artocarpus champeden, Azadirachta indica, Fragaria x ananassa, Garcinia mangostana, Lawsonia inermis, Mangifera indica, Nephelium lappaceum, Nephelium mutobile, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Psidium guajava and Syzygium aqueum, selected for their use in traditional medicine, were subjected to a variety of assays. Antioxidant capability, total phenolic content, elemental composition, as well as it cytotoxity to several cell lines of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from different parts of these selected Malaysian plants were determined. In general, the ethanolic extracts were better free radical scavengers than the aqueous extracts and some of the tested extracts were even more potent than a commercial grape seed preparation. Similar results were seen in the lipid peroxidation inhibition studies. Our findings also showed a strong correlation of antioxidant activity with the total phenolic content. These extracts when tested for its heavy metals content, were found to be below permissible value for nutraceutical application. In addition, most of the extracts were found not cytotoxic to 3T3 and 4T1 cells at concentrations as high as 100 microg/mL. We conclude that although traditionally these plants are used in the aqueous form, its commercial preparation could be achieved using ethanol since a high total phenolic content and antioxidant activity is associated with this method of preparation.
AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Soluneem ™ when used as an irrigating solution along with other commonly used irrigating solution sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) against Enterococcus faecalis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microorganism used in this study was E. faecalis (Microbial Type Culture Collection 439). Test substance used was Soluneem ™, which was obtained from Vittal Mallya Scientific Research Foundation (VMSRF), Bengaluru. This study was conducted in a microbiology laboratory (Biocare Research India Pvt., Ltd. Laboratory, Ahmedabad, Gujarat) to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of Soluneem ™ (Azadirachtin) on E. faecalis. Antimicrobial activity testing was performed using the macrobroth dilution method according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. All determinations were performed thrice.
RESULTS: Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was seen as 2.6% for Soluneem ™ while the same was seen at 0.1% for NaOCl. Independent sample t-test was carried out to compare the MBC of Soluneem ™ and NaOCl, which showed that there was no statistically significant difference between them, i.e., 2.6% Soluneem ™ was as effective as 0.1% NaOCl.
CONCLUSION: Soluneem ™ showed antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis at various concentrations. It was also found that the efficacy of Soluneem ™ at 2.6% concentration and above was relatively similar to that of gold standard irrigating solution (NaOCl) on inhibition of E. faecalis.