A Mini-review on the Phytochemistry and Pharmacobiology of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae): Towards future research directions
Blaise Mbembo Wa Mbembo
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Colette Masengo Ashande
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Gbado-Lite, Nord-Ubangi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Lionel Asamboa Shotsha
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Samy Ngunde Te Ngunde
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Higher Pedagogic Institute of Yakoma, Nord-Ubangi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Blanchard Mayele Masasi
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Joseph Tshidibi Dipa
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sylvain Zogi Ngbo
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Jean-Jacques Amogu Domondo
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Dorothée D. Tshilanda
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Damien S. T. Tshibangu
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Pius T. Mpiana
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Koto-Te-Nyiwa Ngbolua *
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Gbado-Lite, Nord-Ubangi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Medicinal plants are suppliers of molecules used in both modern and traditional therapy. One of these plants is Azadirachta Indica (also known as the neem tree).Originally from Asia (India), this plant is currently widespread and cultivated in several countries in the world, including in Africa, because of its extraordinary therapeutic properties. A survey carried out on the Internet revealed that A. indica contains various secondary metabolites such as: Azadirone, Nimocimol, Azadiradione, Epoxyazadiradione, nimbinin, salannin, nimbanal, salannol acetate, nimbandiol, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, gedunin, nimbinene, nimbolide, mahmoodin, margolonone, isomargolonone, azadirachtin, epicatechin, catechin, phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, anthraquinone, anthocyanins. The main structures of these different molecules were drawn using the ChemBioDraw Ultra 12.0 software package. As a result, it has been demonstrated that these compounds confer several pharmacological properties on the neem tree, including anticancer, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, antiplasmodial, and anthelmintic activities. Because of its high anthocyanin content, A. indica could be an interesting candidate for the development of an anti-sickle cell drug.
Keywords: Azadirachta indica, neem tree, medicinal plants, biological activities, anthocyanins