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- Synergistic activity of cold pressed seed oils from Indian neem (Azadirachta indica), karanja (Pongamia glabra) and aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis) in a cosmeceutical moisturizerPublication . Ferraz Oliveira, Rita; Barreiros, Luisa; Cruz, Agostinho; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Dias, A; Pinho, Cláudia; Fernandes, S; Santos, NM; Morgado, JThe increased interest and knowledge on the beneficial activity of plants and their compounds in human health have contributed to the development of several drugs, widely used in clinical practice worldwide
- Chemistry, bioactivities, extraction and analysis of azadirachtin: State-of-the-artPublication . Fernandes, Sara; Barreiros, Luisa; Ferraz Oliveira, Rita; Cruz, Agostinho; Prudêncio, Cristina; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Pinho, Cláudia; Santos, Nuno; Morgado, JoaquimAzadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem) is an Indian tree recognized for its activity as pesticide, as well as several pharmacological properties. Among the various compounds already isolated and studied from Neem tree, azadirachtin (AZA) was identified as the main bioactive compound. Azadirachtin can be found at different parts of the Neem plant but assumes its maximum concentration at the seed level. This compound features a quite complex chemical structure, which justifies the 20-plus-year difficulty to identify the synthetic pathway that subsequently permitted to carry out its artificial synthesis. Azadirachtin is widely used as a basis for production of biopesticides; nevertheless, other properties have been recognized for this substance, among which the anticancer and antimalarial activity stand out. The methods available for azadirachtin extraction are diverse, including solid-liquid extraction and extraction with solvents at high or low temperatures. Alcohol based solvents are associated with higher extraction yields and are therefore preferred for the isolation of azadirachtin from plant parts. Clean-up of the extracts is generally required for further purification. The highest azadirachtin levels have been obtained from Neem seeds but concentration values present a large variation between batches. Therefore, in addition to extraction procedures, it is essential to establish routine methods for azadirachtin identification and quantification. Chromatography-based techniques are preferably selected for detection and quantification of azadirachtin in plant matrices. Overall, this process will guarantee a future reproducible, safe and effective use of the extracts in formulations for commercial applications.
- Azadirachta indica A. Juss. In Vivo Toxicity—An Updated ReviewPublication . Braga, Teresa M.; Rocha, Lídia; Chung, Tsz Yan; Ferraz Oliveira, Rita; Pinho, Cláudia; Oliveira, Ana I.; Morgado, Joaquim; Cruz, AgostinhoThe Neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss., is known for its large spectrum of compounds with biological and pharmacological interest. These include, among others, activities that are anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. Some neem compounds are also used as insecticides, herbicides, and/or antifeedants. The safety of these compounds is not always taken into consideration and few in vivo toxicity studies have been performed. The current study is a literature review of the latest in vivo toxicity of A. indica. It is divided in two major sections—aquatic animals toxicity and mammalian toxicity—each related to neem’s application as a pesticide or a potential new therapeutic drug, respectively.