| |  | | |
| | (Source: American Journal of Neuroradiology) |
| | Abstract (Source: Phytotherapy Research) |
| | Journal of Natural Products, Volume 0, Issue 0, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable). (Source: Journal of Natural Products) |
| | Authors: Chakraborty K, Bose A, Chakraborty T, Sarkar K, Goswami S, Pal S, Baral R
Previous studies have shown that the CC chemokine receptor CCR5 is downregulated on monocyte/macrophage (MO/Mphi) surfaces in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients (stage IIIB). Ligands (RANTES, MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta) of this chemokine receptor were also secreted in lesser quantity from MO/Mphi of HNSCC patients in comparison with healthy individuals. In an aim to restore this dysregulated receptor-ligand signaling, we have used neem leaf glycoprotein (NLGP), a novel immunomodulator reported from our laboratory. NLGP upregulated CCR5 expression, as evidenced from studies on MO/Mphi of peripheral blood from HNSCC patients as well as healthy individuals. Expression of RANTES, MIP-1alpha... |
| | The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of the natural products, neem oil and pyroligneous extract, and the synthetic insecticide, lufenuron, at 2.50mL water (0.25 %) on the mortality of 2-, 4- and 6-day-old caterpillars of S. frugiperda, and their selectivities against fourth instar larvae of Eriopis connnexa Germar (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Four- and 6-day-old S. frugiperda caterpillars showed higher mortality after exposure to neem oil (83.33 +/- 0.83 and 89.58 +/- 0.90 %, respectively) and lufenuron (95.83 +/- 0.96 and 85.41 +/- 0.83 %), compared to pyroligneous extract (68.75 +/- 0.69 and 31.25 +/- 0.31 %). The deleterious effect of pyroligneous extract was higher in 2- (83.33 +/- 0.83 % mortality) and 4-day-old (68.75 +/- 0.69 %) S. frugiperda caterpillars than i... |
| | (NaturalNews) Are you a health-conscious person looking to visit the Valley of Longevity in Ecuador? The small town of Vilcabamba sits in that valley, just 45km South of the city of Loja. For people who are new to the area, it's sometimes difficult to know where to find healthy foods and products, so here's a quick guide for visitors:In Loja, you'll want to stop at the health food store called Alivinatu. Located just half a block East of the Southeast corner of the Loja town square, Alivinatu offers fresh juices, soy burgers for lunch, nutritional supplements, herbal medicines, vitamins and even a health spa on the second floor.It's not quite a Whole Foods, but it's the closest thing you'll find in Loja. The owners and staff are friendly, too. Prices are a bit on the steep side for Ecuador... |
| | Authors: Foerster S, Monfort SL
Because of their mediating role in the stress response and potential effects on fitness, glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are increasingly used to assess the physiological costs of environmental and behavioral variation among wild vertebrates. Identifying the proximate causes of GC variation, however, is complicated by simultaneous exposure to multiple potentially stressful stimuli. Here, we use data from a partially provisioned social group of Sykes' monkeys to evaluate the effects of potential psychological and metabolic stressors on temporal and individual variation in fecal GC (fGC) excretion among 11 adult females. Despite high rates of agonism over provisioned foods fGCs declined during periods of high provisioning frequency when fruit availability was... |
| | Authors: Sarkar K, Goswami S, Roy S, Mallick A, Chakraborty K, Bose A, Baral R
Vaccination with neem leaf glycoprotein matured carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) enhances antigen-specific humoral and cellular immunity against CEA and restricts the growth of CEA(+) murine tumors. NLGP helps better CEA uptake, processing and presentation to T/B cells. This vaccination (DCNLGPCEA) elicits mitogen induced and CEA specific T cell proliferation, IFNgamma secretion and induces specific cytotoxic reactions to CEA(+) colon tumor cells. In addition to T cell response, DCNLGPCEA vaccine generates anti-CEA antibody response, which is principally IgG2a in nature. This antibody participates in cytotoxicity of CEA(+) cells in antibody-dependent manner. This strong anti-CEA ce... |
| | Authors: Kw.ua W, Sengsai S, Kuleung C, Euawong N
Utilization of neem plant (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) extract for pest control in agriculture has raised concerns over contamination by the residues to the environment. Such residues, particularly azadirachtin (Aza), may cause deleterious effect to non-target organisms. This investigation was conducted to find out if Aza could be inactivated through exposures to sunlight. Activity of Aza was assessed as its ability to cause cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in the forms of nuclei abnormality and chromosome aberration as measured by mitotic index (MI) and mitotic aberration (MA). Varying concentrations of Aza were tested on Allium cepa and Eucrosia bicolor. It was found that the MI of all root tip meristematic cells of A. cepa and E. bico... |
| | Authors: Zhang YQ, Xu J, Yin ZQ, Jia RY, Lu Y, Yang F, Du YH, Zou P, Lv C, Hu TX, Liu SL, Shu G, Yi G
From a petroleum ether extract of neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) the new tetrahydrofuranyl diester 1 was isolated as an anti-bacterial constituent. 1 showed significant activities against three standard bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella enteritidis CMCC (B) 50041.
PMID: 20362038 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Fitoterapia) |
| | In this study free fatty acids present in Azadirachta indica (Neem) oil were esterified with our synthesized phosphoric acid modified catalyst. During the esterification, the acid value was reduced from 24.4 to 1.8mg KOH/g oil. Synthesized catalyst was characterized by NH(3) TPD, XRD, SEM, FTIR and TGA analysis. During phosphoric acid modification hydrophobic character and weak acid sites of the mordenite were increased, which lead to better esterification when compared to H-mordenite. A kinetic study demonstrates that the esterification reaction followed pseudo-first order kinetics. Thermodynamic studies were also done based on the Arrhenius model.
PMID: 20346652 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioresource Technology) |
| | Conclusion - This study showed that A. indica grafted onto M. azedarach rootstock produces azadirachtin, and also that its fruits are free of meliatoxins from rootstocks, confirming that this graft forms an excellent basis for breeding vigorous Neem trees in cooler regions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Phytochemical Analysis) |
| | O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade anti-fungica (in vitro) do neem (Azadiracta indica A. Juss.) e de jurema preta (Mimosa tenuiflora (Wild) Poir.) sobre cepas de Candida spp. isoladas de casos de mastite subclínica em vacas no Estado de Pernambuco. As folhas do neem foram coletadas em árvores de fazendas do município de Patos-PB e a casca da jurema-preta foi coletada na UFCG, Campus de Patos e preparados extratos etanólicos. As amostras de Candida spp. foram coletadas de leite de vacas com mastite subclínica e semeadas em placas de Petri contendo ágar-base acrescido de 5% de sangue desfibrinado de ovino Sabouraud. As placas foram incubadas em estufa bacteriológica a 37 ºC e a leitura foi realizada com 24 e 48 h. Os ensaios foram realizados em duplicata e o resultado fi... |
| | Conclusions:
This work demonstrated in vivo transmission blocking activity of an azadirachtin-enriched neem seed extract at an azadirachtin dose compatible with 'druggability' requisites. These results and evidence of anti-plasmodial activity of neem products accumulated over the last years encourage to convey neem compounds into the drug discovery & development pipeline and to evaluate their potential for the design of novel or improved transmission-blocking remedies. (Source: Malaria Journal) |
| | The role of azadirachtin, an active component of a medicinal plant Neem (Azadirachta indica), on TNF-induced cell signaling in human cell lines was investigated. Azadirachtin blocks TNF-induced activation of nuclear factor B (NF-B) and also expression of NF-B-dependent genes such as adhesion molecules and cyclooxygenase 2. Azadirachtin inhibits the inhibitory subunit of NF-B (IB) phosphorylation and thereby its degradation and RelA (p65) nuclear translocation. It blocks IB kinase (IKK) activity ex vivo, but not in vitro. Surprisingly, azadirachtin blocks NF-B DNA binding activity in transfected cells with TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF)2, TNF receptor-associated death domain (TRADD), IKK, or p65, but not with TNFR, suggesting its effect is at the TNFR level. Azadirachtin blocks bindi... |
| | Underwear infused with extracts from the Indian neem tree and woven with
threads of silver is claimed to be the latest miracle cure for cellulite. (Source: Telegraph Health) |
| | We report here that an aqueous extract preparation from the barks of neem plant Azardirachta indica acts as a potent entry inhibitor against HSV-1 infection into natural target cells. The neem bark extract (NBE) significantly blocked HSV-1 entry into cells at concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 [mu]g/ml. The blocking activity of NBE was observed when the extract was pre-incubated with the virus but not with the target cells, suggesting a direct antiHSV-1 property of the neem bark. Further, virions treated with NBE failed to bind the cells which implicate a role of NBE as an attachment step blocker. Cells treated with NBE also inhibited HSV-1 glycoprotein-mediated cell-cell fusion and polykaryocytes formation suggesting an additional role of NBE at the viral fusion step. These findings op... |
| | Choudhury M KIndian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2009 71(5):562-563The <i>in vitro</i> toxicity of neem seed oil (<i>Azadirachta indica</i> A. Juss, family: Meliaceae, Dogon yaro in Hausa language in Nigeria) was tested against the larvae of a one-host tick, <i>Boophilus decoloratus</i> (family: <i>Ixodidae</i> or hard tick, commonly known as blue tick) parasitic mainly to cattle generally found in savannas of tropical equatorial Africa. The 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% concentrations of neem seed oil were found to kill all (100% mortality) the larvae after 27, 27, 27, 27 and 24 h respectively. (Source: Indian Journal... |
| | Neem (Azadirachta indica) is an Indian tree well known for its several pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial activity. More than 300 composites have already been isolated and azadirachtin (AZA) is its main active component. In the present work, Neem leaves hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared by percolation in 96% ethanol different concentrations (50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% (v/v)). The presence of AZA was tested by TLC by eluting the extracts and a standard solution of AZA through a chromatographic plate developed with anisaldehyde/sulfuric acid solution followed by heating. By HPLC, extracts elution took place on a C18 column, water:acetonitrile (60:40) as mobile phase, 1.0 mL/min flow rate and detection at λ217 nm. The extracts did not display AZA spots or peaks, however,... |
| | (Source: Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods) |
| | The European Association of Urology (EAU) regularly organises regional meetings in Europe, such as the upcoming North Eastern European Meeting (NEEM). These are platforms where new clinical or experimental work from the region is presented to an international audience. Young urologists are especially invited to participate. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) |
| | Authors: Madhaiyan M, Poonguzhali S, Lee JS, Lee KC, Saravanan VS, Santhanakrishnan P
Microbacterium strain AI-S262T was isolated from the rhizoplane of neem seedlings in the Botanical garden of Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India and subjected to phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genetic characterization. Cells of these strains were Gram-positive, motile, non-spore-forming, short rods and formed light yellow-pigmented colonies on nutrient agar. These strains contained MK-12 and MK-13 as the main respiratory quinines, fatty acids that were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, peptidoglycan-type B2beta with glycolyl residues and DNA G+C content was 69.5 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 98.0-98.6% pair wise similarity with r... |
| | (Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres) The first season of the international drilling project NEEM (North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling) in north-western Greenland was completed at Aug. 20. A research team, with the participation of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association, has drilled an ice core of altogether 1,757.87 m length on the Greenland inland ice within 110 days. It is expected to contain data on climate history of about 38,000 years. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology) |
| | CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that because of its emergence inhibition activity, NeemAzal T/S 1.2 per cent EC could be a promising candidate for the use in integrated vector management programme and replace chemical insecticides.
PMID: 19797810 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Indian J Med Res) |
| | (NaturalNews) I didn't write a July 4th article this year. I was busy harvesting food out of my garden in Ecuador. Instead of celebrating geopolitical independence (which is what America's July 4th holiday is about, after all), I was celebrating my food independence.This was the weekend that my gardens and orchards broke through a milestone, producing more than 50 percent of the food my wife and I consume daily. To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, check out what we did this weekend:• Pulled 40 fresh avocados off the tree.
• We have hundreds of fresh, sweet tangerines off the tree each week.
• Our garden is producing large quantities of cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli.
• We have an unlimited supply of green onions and red raspberries (year-round).
• We ... |
| | Authors: Riaz T, Nawaz Khan S, Javaid A
A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extracts of six plant species, namely Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (neem), Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., Lawsonia alba Lam., Allium cepa L., A. sativum L. and Zingiber officinale Roscoe, and a systemic fungicide carbendazim 50% (w/w) WP, to manage the corm-rot disease of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) caused by a fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli (Massey) Snyd. & Hans. Fusarium inoculation showed 80% disease incidence with 54 disease lesions per corm. Recommended dose of the chemical fungicide carbendazim significantly reduced the disease incidence to 13% and number of lesions to six per corm. Plant extract treatments exhibited variable effects on the i... |
| | Methane gas released as flatulence from livestock is a significant source of greenhouse gas, but entrepreneurs may have found a ready antidote to the problem: garlic. Mootral (“moo” and “neutral”), produced by Neem Biotech in Cardiff, Wales, contains a natural garlic extract--allicin--that when fed to cows and sheep limits the growth of certain methane-producing bacteria in the animals’ digestive systems. In two small trials, methane output in cows and sheep was reduced by 15 percent. David Williams, chair and CEO, expects further research will allow output to be cut in half; simulations using laboratory equipment have reached as high as 94 percent.Tests are also being done to determine the best way to feed the natural antibiotic to the animals--as a food supp... |
| | Methane gas released as flatulence from livestock is a significant source of greenhouse gas, but entrepreneurs may have found a ready antidote to the problem: garlic. Mootral (“moo” and “neutral”), produced by Neem Biotech in Cardiff, Wales, contains a natural garlic extract--allicin--that when fed to cows and sheep limits the growth of certain methane-producing bacteria in the animals’ digestive systems. In two small trials, methane output in cows and sheep was reduced by 15 percent. David Williams, chair and CEO, expects further research will allow output to be cut in half; simulations using laboratory equipment have reached as high as 94 percent.Tests are also being done to determine the best way to feed the natural antibiotic to the animals--as a food supp... |
| | Authors: Gurulingappa H, Tare V, Pawar P, Tungikar V, Jorapur YR, Madhavi S, Bhat SV
The major non-azadirachtin limonoids such as gedunin (1), epoxyazadiradione (3), nimbocinol (4), and nimolicinol (5) from Azadirachta indica A. Juss ('neem') and their derivatives were evaluated for their toxic action against fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti L. and Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Gedunin exhibited 100% toxic action against both the mosquito larvae at 50 and 10 ppm. Epoxyazadiradione and epoxynimolicinol also showed significant toxicities (>/=50%) against larvae of both mosquito species at 50 ppm. These neem limonoids can have benefits in mosquito-control programs.
PMID: 19551731 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Chemistry and Biodiversity) |
| | Conclusion:
The neem oil formulation was found effective in controlling mosquito larvae in different breeding sites under natural field conditions. As neem trees are widely distributed in India, their formulations may prove to be an effective and eco-friendly larvicide, which could be used as an additional tool for malaria control. (Source: Malaria Journal) |
| | Toxicity and physiological effects of neem pesticides applied to rice on the Nilaparvata lugens Stl, the brown planthopper.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2009 Jun 3;
Authors: Senthil-Nathan S, Choi MY, Paik CH, Seo HY, Kalaivani K
The effects of two different neem products (Parker Oil and Neema((R))) on mortality, food consumption and survival of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stl (BPH) (Homoptera: Delphacidae) were investigated. The LC(50) (3.45ml/L for nymph and 4.42ml/L for adult in Parker Oil treatment; 4.18ml/L for nymph and 5.63ml/L for adult in Neema((R)) treatment) and LC(90) (8.72ml/L for nymph and 11.1ml/L for adult in Parker Oil treatment; 9.84ml/L for nymph and 13.07ml/L for adult in Neema((R)) treatment) were identified by probit analysis. The LC(9... |
| | SummaryLimonoids from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) have attracted considerable research attention for their cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines. However, the antiproliferative
and apoptosis inducing effects of neem limonoids have not been tested in animal tumour models. The present study was therefore
designed to evaluate the relative chemopreventive potential of the neem limonoids azadirachtin and nimbolide in the hamster
buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis model by analyzing the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p21waf1, cyclin D1, glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-P), NF-κB, inhibitor of κB (IκB), p53, Fas, Bcl-2, Bax, Bid, Apaf-1, cytochrome
C, survivin, caspases-3, −6, −8 and −9, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) by RT-... |
| | (Source: Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods) |
| | Chemotherapy 2009;55:137-144 (DOI:10.1159/000211558) (Source: Chemotherapy) |
| | Authors: Sarkar K, Bose A, Haque E, Chakraborty K, Chakraborty T, Goswami S, Ghosh D, Baral R
Involvement of the nitric oxide (NO) release in CEAMvarphiNLGP (carcinoembryonic antigen pulsed macrophages with neem leaf glycoprotein) vaccination and its relationship with vaccine induced type 1 immune response were aimed to study in the present communication. Vaccination with CEAMvarphiNLGP resulted macrophage activation as evidenced by its increased number and expression of CD69 marker. Activated macrophages demonstrated upregulation in synthesis of IL-12 and downregulation in IL-10, along with excess IFNgamma production in splenic cells, as evidenced from mRNA analysis. Induction of such type1 immunity was further confirmed by expression of type 1 specific transcription factor, T-bet and... |
| | Authors: Siddiqui BS, Ali ST, Rajput MT, Gulzar T, Rasheed M, Mehmood R
The present article describes the analysis of an n-hexane soluble fraction of fresh flowers of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem), possessing larvicidal activity against Anopheles stephensi Liston, a vector of malarial parasite. Forty-one compounds were identified in non-polar to less-polar fraction as well as in essential oil. These identifications were basically made through GC-EIMS. Thus 5 sesquiterpenes, 3 aromatics, 17 fatty acids, 5 fatty acid esters, three steroids and 8 hydrocarbons were identified. The compounds 1-5, 10, 14-17, 21a and 36-38 were reported previously from different parts of the tree including flowers. The rest of the compounds are reported for the first time from flowers.
PMID: 19235028 ... |
| | Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Volume 0, Issue 0, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable). (Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry) |
| | In the first step by a developing country to stop multinational companies patenting traditional remedies from local plants and animals, the Indian government has effectively licensed 200,000 local treatments as "public property" free for anyone to use but no one to sell as a "brand".The move comes after scientists in Delhi noticed an alarming trend – the "bio-prospecting" of natural remedies by companies abroad. After trawling through the records of the global trademark offices, officials found 5,000 patents had been issued — at a cost of at least $150m (£104m) — for "medical plants and traditional systems"."More than 2,000 of these belong to the Indian systems of medicine … We began to ask why multinational companies were spending millions of dollars to patent treatments that so ... |
| | (Source: Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology) |
| | H2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors are now used extensively to control gastric and duodenal ulcer, inflammation and pain, but these drugs have limitations and are not always affordable. The development of novel nontoxic antiulcer drugs, including from medicinal plants, is therefore desirable, and Azadirachta indica A. Juss, commonly known as Neem, is known to have potent gastroprotective and antiulcer effects. This review deals with the pharmacological and biochemical studies carried out regarding the antiulcer activities of Neem extracts and their mechanism of action, including the inhibition of acid secretion. A comparison with ranitidine and omeprazole in some animal models has been included and clinical studies, where available, have also been incorporated, along with a sa... |
| | This article is intended to review: (i) composition/structure and conditions for the formation of lipid rafts in plasma membranes, (ii) interaction of HIV-1 with lipid rafts and (iii) to introduce a novel concept that dietary and plant-derived compounds, which can target lipid rafts, could have potential preventive/therapeutic values against the progression of AIDS. More emphasis has been given to the roles of omega-3 fatty acids and plant-derived various triterpenes, especially euphane-types of triterpenes extracted from Neem tree, targeting lipid rafts and its major component cholesterol.
PMID: 19149536 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Drug Targets) |
| | Page: 42DOI: 10.1097/CJI.0b013e31818e997dAuthors: Bose, Anamika *; Chakraborty, Krishnendu *; Sarkar, Koustav *; Goswami, Shyamal *; Chakraborty, Tathagata *; Pal, Smarajit +; Baral, Rathindranath * (Source: Journal of Immunotherapy) |
| | Authors: Veitch GE, Boyer A, Ley SV
Azadirachtin has been the subject of intensive research within the scientific community ever since its isolation from the neem tree in 1968. There are now over 1000 publications relating to this natural product which cover all aspects of structural, biological and synthetic studies. Herein, we describe the worldwide synthesis efforts towards this fascinating molecule.
PMID: 19031481 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Angewandte Chemie) |
| | Authors: Kharwar RN, Verma VC, Kumar A, Gond SK, Harper JK, Hess WM, Lobkovosky E, Ma C, Ren Y, Strobel GA
The endophytic fungus Chloridium sp. produces javanicin under liquid and solid media culture conditions. This highly functionalized naphthaquinone exhibits strong antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas spp., representing pathogens to both humans and plants. The compound was crystallized and the structure was elucidated by X-ray crystallography. The X-ray structure confirms the previously elucidated structure of the compound that was done under standard spectroscopic methods. The importance of javanicin in establishing symbiosis between Chloridium sp. and its host plant, Azadirachta indica, is briefly discussed.
PMID: 19018591 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cu... |
| | Authors: Mancebo A, Hernndez O, Gonzlez Y, Aldana L, Carballo O
The determination of acute eye and skin irritation is included in international regulatory requirements for the testing of chemicals, because of the possibility of exposure during the production, transport, marketing, and disposal of products. Although there have been some advances in the areas of refinement and reduction, no single battery of tests has emerged as being acceptable as a complete replacement for the conventional Draize rabbit eye and skin irritation tests. Currently, dermal irritation and ocular irritation are generally evaluated in a sequential manner in the context of tiered assessment strategies. In this work, we show how 14 products, mostly designed to be used in agriculture, were evaluated i... |
| | Authors: Bose A, Chakraborty K, Sarkar K, Goswami S, Haque E, Chakraborty T, Ghosh D, Roy S, Laskar S, Baral R
Neem leaf glycoprotein (NLGP)-mediated immune activation and associated immune polarization was studied. NLGP-induced activation is reflected in upregulation of early activation marker CD69 on lymphocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells. Activation is also denoted by CD45RO enhancement, with a decrease in CD45RA phenotype and CD62L (L-selectin). NLGP-activated T cells secrete greater amount of signature T-helper (Th)1 cytokines interferon-gamma and a lower amount of the Th2 cytokine interleukin (IL)-4. Similar type 1 directiveness is also observed in antigen-presenting monocytes and dendritic cells by upregulation of IL-12, tumor necrosis factor -alpha and downregulation of IL... |
| | SummaryWe investigated the cytotoxic effects of nimbolide, a limonoid present in leaves and flowers of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) on human choriocarcinoma (BeWo) cells. Treatment with nimbolide resulted in dose- and time-dependent inhibition of growth
of BeWo cells with IC50 values of 2.01 and 1.19μM for 7 and 24h respectively, accompanied by downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen.
Examination of nuclear morphology revealed fragmentation and condensation indicating apoptosis. Increase in the generation
of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that was reversed by addition of reduced glutathione suggested ROS involvement in the cytotoxicity
of nimbolide. A decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio with increased expression of Apaf-1 and caspase-3, and cleavage o... |
| | Authors: Sirisuda S, Kabkaew LS, Budsabong K, Kom S
The effect of neem, Azadirachta indica A. Juss, on ultrastructural alteration of larvae and puparia of the blow fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and house fly, Musca domestica (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Muscidae), was investigated in the laboratory by using neem extract containing 0.24% azadirachtin A. Larvae of both species exposed to single dipping with the neem product exhibited swelling of the integument in relation to the control as determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed slight thickness of epicuticle, but intense thickness of procuticle. Multiple treatment of the larvae displayed noticeably swelling integument and bleb formation on the i... |
| | (NaturalNews) Three new downloadable audio programs in MP3 format are available now on NaturalNews.com. The first is an interview with Jay Robb, the founder of Jay Robb Enterprises, makers of the industry's best-tasting natural whey protein and egg protein products. In the interview, Jay talks about personal integrity and leadership in an industry where many competing protein products are made with chemical additives and sweeteners. He also discusses his "Fruit Flush Diet" which is featured in a book by the same name. Jay Robb's protein products are completely natural and a favorite of health-oriented fitness enthusiasts. (www.JayRobb.com)This MP3 file can be downloaded now at:
http://www.naturalnews.com/Index-Podcasts.html#53A second interview has also been posted with Alan Friedman, foun... |
| | Conclusions:
With a high abundance of neem plants in many villages in this area, the results of this study suggest that larval control using neem seed powder offers a sustainable additional tool for malaria vector control in the Sahel region of Niger. (Source: BioMed Central) |
| | (NaturalNews) Sales of anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals are a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet as we've learned with the Vioxx fiasco and all the tens of thousands of deaths surrounding that drug, anti-inflammatory medications can be extremely dangerous. Sure, it stops the pain, but sometimes it also stops your heart.Not surprisingly, consumers are looking for healthier, safer and more natural alternatives to dangerous anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals. And here's the good news: There are many truly remarkable anti-inflammatory foods, herbs and supplements available right now, and in my view they work far better than anti-inflammatory drugs! At the same time, they have absolutely no negative side effects. In fact, many of these natural remedies enhance immune function and actually boost... |
| | Authors: Sarkar K, Bose A, Chakraborty K, Haque E, Ghosh D, Goswami S, Chakraborty T, Laskar S, Baral R
In an objective to generate effective carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) specific anti-tumor immune response in Swiss mice, CEA was presented using macrophages with adjuvant help from neem leaf glycoprotein (NLGP). Such vaccination generates significantly higher antibody (IgG2a) and T cell response than immunization protocol without NLGP. NLGP controls the function of both B cells and macrophages by altering the expressions of various regulatory molecules, like, CD19, CD11b, etc. NLGP also directs CEA vaccination towards Th1 bias, by modulating cytokine secretion. This NLGP-generated anti-CEA immune response would be effective as a vaccine to lyse CEA(+) tumors in vitro and in vivo.
... |
| | (NaturalNews) Dr. Jameth Sheridan is the founder and chief formulator of Healthforce Nutritionals, one of the top-flight superfood suppliers in the world. He's the creator of Vitamineral Green, Fruits of the Earth, Intestinal Drawing Formula, and Earth, all of which are high-density superfood powder products renowned in the industry for their almost fanatical quality and potency.These are the gold standard powdered products of the superfood industry, and Dr. Sheridan is a living, breathing example of a company leader who demonstrates the same kind of commitment to superior health that he puts into his product line. That's why HealthForce Nutritionals has earned the NaturalNews Editor's Choice Award for Best Superfood Product.A few weeks ago, Dr. Sheridan joined the Health Ranger in person ... |
| | We report a patient who presented with an acute case of contact dermatitis on the scalp and face after the use of neem oil for alopecia and present a review of the literature regarding its uses, toxicity, and regulation.
PMID: 18627678 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Dermatitis) |
| | Authors: Mukherjee AK, Doley R, Saikia D
A compound (AIPLAI (Azadirachta indica PLA(2) inhibitor)) purified from the methanolic leaf extract of A. indica (Neem) inhibits the cobra and Russell's viper venoms (RVVs) phospholipase A(2) enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of catalytic and tested pharmacological properties of cobra venom (Naja naja and Naja kaouthia) PLA(2) enzymes by AIPLAI is significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to the inhibition of PLA(2) enzymes of crude RVV (Daboia russelli) when tested under the same condition. Kinetic study reveals that in in vitro condition, AIPLAI inhibits the purified N. kaouthia PLA(2) enzymes in a non-competitive manner. The AIPLAI is quite stable at room temperature. The present study shows that AIPLAI holds good promise for the... |
| | Page: 108DOI: 10.1097/MJT.0b013e31804c6d1dAuthors: Udeinya, J I PhD 1; Shu, E N PhD 2; Quakyi, I PhD 3; Ajayi, F O PhD 4 (Source: American Journal of Therapeutics) |
| | Please join the Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellowship Program for the next Schweitzer Symposium:
Perspectives on Health and Human Rights
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Geary Auditorium A, New College Building (off 1st floor lobby)
Drexel University Hahnemann Campus
245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia
Guest speakers include:
Nan Feyler, JD, MPH
Immigration, HIV/AIDS and Civil Rights Expert
Sabina Neem, MSS, MLSP
Prevention Specialist, The Attic
Alex Otieno, MPH, PhD Candidate
Instructor of Sociology and International Peace & Conflict Resolution, Arcadia University
Refreshments are provided and pre-registration is strongly recommended. Please email Schweitzersymposium@gmail.com to register.
Please see the attached flyer for more information. (Source: What's New on JE... |
| | Authors: Sujanya S, Devi BP, Sai I
The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of nutritional alteration on biomass content and azadirachtin production in cell suspensions of the elite neem variety crida-8.Variations in total nitrogen availability in the medium in terms of different ratios of nitrate: ammonium showed that the ratio 4:1 revealed a profound effect, leading to a 1.5-fold increase in the total extracellular azadirachtin production (5.59 mg/l) over the standard MS medium.Reduction in sucrose (15 mg/l) in the medium exhibited a reduction in biomass and absence of azadirachtin, whereas total phosphate reduction raised intracellular azadirachtin production (6.98 mg/l). An altered medium with a nitrate: ammonium ratio of 4:1 coupled with complete elimination of phosphate en... |
| | Biotechnology Law Report Feb 2008, Vol. 27, No. 1: 1-10. (Source: Biotechnology Law Report) |
| | Neem oil is used for preparing cosmetics (soap, hair products, body hygiene creams, hand creams) and in folk or traditional medicine, in the treatment of a wide range of afflictions. The most common use, however, is as an agricultural or household pesticid... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated)) |
| | Gemma E. Veitch, Andrea Pinto, Alistair Boyer, Edith Beckmann, James C. Anderson, and Steven V. LeyWeb Release Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST (Letter) DOI: 10.1021/ol7027898 (Source: Organic Letters) |
| | Authors: Chakraborty K, Bose A, Pal S, Sarkar K, Goswami S, Ghosh D, Laskar S, Chattopadhyay U, Baral R
Interaction between CXCL10 and CXCR3 is dysregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and hampers chemotaxis of cytotoxic cells at tumor site. In continuation of the demonstration of significant immunomodulatory effects of neem leaf preparation (NLP), the active ingredient of NLP is characterized as a glycoprotein (NLGP). NLGP is responsible for in vivo immunomodulation to restrict the growth of mice tumors. Effect of NLGP in rectification of the dysregulated IFNgamma dependent chemokine and its receptor CXCR3 splice variants was investigated. Upregulated expression of CXCR3B in HNSCC-PBMC were downregulated following in vitro NLGP treatment. Unchanged expression of C... |
| | We report an unusual case of neem oil poisoning in a previously normal 5 year old child. The child presented with refractory seizures and was having metabolic acidosis. Late neurological sequelae in the form of auditory and visual disturbances, and ataxia were present.
PMID: 18250509 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Indian Pediatrics) |
| | Foodborne Pathogens and Disease Nov 2007, Vol. 4, No. 4: 481-488.
The antibacterial activity of guava (Psidium guajava) and neem (Azadirachta indica) extracts against 21 strains of foodborne pathogens were determined—Listeria monocytogenes (five strains), Staphylococcus aureus (four strains), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (... (Source: Foodborne Pathogens and Disease) |
| | Prashant GM, Chandu GN, Murulikrishna KS, Shafiulla MDIndian Journal of Dental Research 2007 18(4):148-151 (Source: Table of Contents : Indian Journal of Dental Research : 2006 - 17(3)) |
| | Effect of azadirachtin on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and histology of the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stl).
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2007 Aug 31;
Authors: Senthil Nathan S, Young Choi M, Yul Seo H, Hoon Paik C, Kalaivani K, Duk Kim J
The effect of azadirachtin (AZA), a tetranortriterpene from neem, on the mortality, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and the development of the ovaries of female brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stl) was tested in laboratory experiments. The lethal concentrations were determined and applied topically to the adult female BPH (LC(50)=0.47ppm and LC(90)=0.96ppm). The treated insects exhibited toxic symptoms with a dose-dependent mortality. The LC(50) concentrations were tested against AChE activity of th... |
| | Tests on Neem Active Toothpaste with Calcium show the product contains harmful bacteria in addition to diethylene glycol, Health Canada warns. (Source: CBC | Health) |
| | Health Canada is warning that a toothpaste from India that was earlier discovered to contain a chemical found in antifreeze also contains high levels of harmful bacteria. (Source: CTV Health) |
| | A British team reports the first synthesis of azadirachtin, a natural compound that stops predatory insects from feeding. Plants have a variety of defense mechanisms to deter insect attack. Investigation of these mechanisms often allows researchers to discover molecules with interesting biological properties. One such compound is azadirachtin, which was first isolated from the neem tree (also known as the Indian lilac) in 1968. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines) |
| | Bounty of the Indian neem tree replicated in the lab (Source: Chemistry World | Latest News) |
| | Mycoses Volume 0, Issue 0, Page ???-???.
SummaryAflatoxins are secondary metabolites that are produced by toxigenic strains of some Aspergillus species on foods. Neem plant is a known inhibitor of aflatoxin production. We studied the effects of different concentrations of aqueous neem leaf extrac... (Source: Mycoses) |
| | news@nature630 (2007). doi:10.1038/448630a
Author: Katharine Sanderson
Neem-tree insecticide made in lab - but was it worth it? (Source: news@nature.com) |
| | Page: 369DOI: 10.1097/MJT.0b013e3180a72199Authors: Mbah, A U FMCP 1; Udeinya, I J PhD 2; Shu, E N PhD 1*; Chijioke, C P MD, FRCP 1; Nubila, T MSc 3; Udeinya, F MSc 2; Muobuike, Angela MBBS 4; Mmuobieri, Ancila MBBS 4; Obioma, Maria S MBBS 5 (Source: American Journal of Therapeutics) |
| | We did a search of Medline, TRIP and Cochrane and found no clinical trials of Neem Leaves in diabetics. The only information we found referred to diabetic rats. (Source: NLH Question Answering Service) |
| | A neem leaf preparation (NLP) was investigated for its role in the induction of tumor cell apoptosis to elucidate the mechanism of NLP mediated immunoprophylaxis in tumor growth restriction. As NLP did not induce direct apoptosis of human tumor cell lines KB, MCF7 and K562, it was used instead to stimulate human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for 72 h. The PBMC derived culture supernatant (NLP-CS) was observed to induce the restriction of tumor cell proliferation as well as apoptosis. An enzyme linked immunosorbant assay revealed the presence of cytotoxic cytokines, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, in the NLP-CS. The inhibition of secretion of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in NLP-CS caused a significant decrease in tumor cell apoptosis. Furthermore, stimulation of these tumor cells with NLP-C... |
| | Authors: Pravin Kumar R, Manoj MN, Kush A, Annadurai RS
In silico docking analysis reported here suggests that insect cellular cytoskeletal beta-actin could be the target of Azadirachtin A (Aza-the principle bioactive compound of neem seeds). The best docking energy of -40.09kcal/mol at 8.73A RMSD and predicted hydrogen bond between Arg210 and carboxymethyl group of Aza accompanied with seven hydrophobic interactions in the proposed binding site strongly support this hypothesis. This is of specific interest due to the non-affinity of Aza to mammalian beta-actins under the same set of conditions, although beta-actins across the species are highly conserved. Our results show that few scattered amino acid changes have caused significant steric hindrance in the binding pocket for mammalian... |
| | Authors: Anuradha A, Annadurai RS, Shashidhara LS
Limonoids isolated from the Indian neem tree (Azadirachta indica) have been gaining global acceptance in agricultural applications and in contemporary medicine for their myriad but discrete properties. However, their mode of action is still not very well understood. We have studied the mode of action of Azadirachtin A, the major limonoid of neem seed extracts, using Drosophila melanogaster as the model system. Azadirachtin A induces moderate-to-severe phenotypes in different tissues in a dose-dependent manner. At the cellular level, Azadirachtin A induces depolymerization of Actin leading to arrest of cells and subsequently apoptosis in a caspase-independent manner. Azadirachtin A-induced phenotypes were rescued by the over-expression o... |
| | Conclusion:
Neem oil has good larvicidal properties for An. gambiae s.s. and suppresses successful adult emergence at very low concentrations. Considering the wide distribution and availability of this tree and its products along the East African coast, this may prove a readily available and cheap alternative to conventional larvicides. (Source: BioMed Central) |
| | Authors: Mandal-Ghosh I, Chattopadhyay U, Baral R
An 85-kDa breast tumor associated antigen (BTAA) has been identified and partially characterized from human breast tumors. As BTAA is poorly immunogenic, enhancement of the anti-tumor immunity induced by BTAA is required to obtain an objective clinical response. The potent immune activation by an aqueous preparation of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf (NLP) suggests its possible utility for enhancing immune responses to tumor vaccines. Mice (Swiss and Balb/c) and rats (Sprague Dawley) immunized with BTAA and NLP have a higher IgG antibody response and a lower IgM response than mice immunized with BTAA alone. Antibody generated by immunization with BTAA and NLP can induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and cytotoxic T cell... |
| | Authors: Mohanty S, Patra AK, Chhonkar PK
A laboratory experiment was conducted to examine the potentiality of a natural resource neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel powder (NSKP) to reduce the urease and nitrification activities in different soils (viz., normal, acid, and sodic) at contrasting moisture (1:1 soil to water and field capacity) and temperature regimes (10 degrees C and 37 degrees C). Results have revealed that application of NSKP with urea did not exhibit any urease inhibitory property in normal and sodic soils, but in acid soil it had maintained higher concentration of urea than the urea alone treated samples for two weeks after application. At 37 degrees C and under field capacity moisture level, urea hydrolysis was more rapid than at 10 degrees C and under waterlogge... |
| | Authors: Sarkar K, Bose A, Laskar S, Choudhuri SK, Dey S, Roychowdhury PK, Baral R
An immune serum generated in Swiss mice against an aqueous preparation from neem leaf was reactive with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and a peptide sequence derived from it. Using ELISA, we have demonstrated that CEA reactive antibody titer (chiefly IgG2a) was significantly decreased after absorption of the immune sera with CEA. Neem leaf preparation (NLP) generated immune sera was also reactive with CEA in immunoblotting and CEA reactive component in the NLP sera can be immunoprecipitated. Identical recognition of CEA expressed on human colorectal cancer specimens, by anti-CEA monoclonal antibody and NLP sera was documented by immunohistochemistry. NLP generated sera could also react with NLP in ELISA ... |
| | Authors: Khatoon H, Talat S, Younus H
Phospholipase D (PLD) activity has been identified in some new plant sources i.e. Brassica juncea (mustard) seeds, Zingibar officinale (ginger) rhizomes and Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves with the aim of identifying PLDs that possess high catalytic activity and stability. PLD from mustard seeds (PLD(ms)) exhibited the highest PLD specific activity, which was highly pH and temperature tolerant. PLD(ms) unlike many plant PLDs exhibited high thermal stability. The activity of PLD(ms) is optimum in the millimolar concentration of calcium ions and is independent of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). An active and stable enzyme like PLD(ms) may be utilized in the lipid industry.
PMID: 16949665 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Inte... |
| | Rajesh Kumar, C. Devakumar, Vandana Sharma, Garima Kakkar, Dinesh Kumar, and P. PanneerselvamWeb Release Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 EST (Article) DOI: 10.1021/jf0632177 (Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry) |
| | CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that ENLE exerts its anticancer properties by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing differentiation and apoptosis.
PMID: 16989797 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Clinical Biochemistry) |
| | Nimbolide, a triterpenoid extracted from the flowers of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), was found to have antiproliferative activity against some cancer cell lines. Treatment of cells with 0.5-5.0 [mgr]m concentrations of nimbolide resulted in moderate to very strong growth inhibition in U937, HL-60, THP1 and B16 cell lines. Flow cytometric analysis of U937 cells showed that nimbolide treatment (1-2.5 [mgr]m) resulted in cell cycle disruption by decreasing the number of cells in G0/G1 phase, with initial increases in S and G2/M phases. Cells exposed to a higher dose of nimbolide for a longer period displayed a severely damaged DNA profile, resulting in a remarkable increase in the number of cells in the sub-G1 fraction, with a reciprocal decrease of cells in all phases. Quantification ... |
| | Authors: Gopal M, Gupta A, Arunachalam V, Magu SP
The effect of 10% azadirachtin granules (alcoholic extract of neem seed kernel mixed with China clay) was studied on the population of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, Azotobacter and nitrifying bacteria; soil dehydrogenase, phosphatase and respiratory activities on 0, 15th, 30th, 60th and 90th days after application in sandy loam soil collected from the fields. It was observed that baring the Azotobacter sp., azadirachtin at all the doses exerted a suppressive effect on the rest of the microbial communities and enzyme activities in the initial 15day period. The population of bacteria, actinomycetes besides phosphatase and respiratory activities recovered after 60th day and subsequently increased significantly. The fungi and nitrifiers w... |
| | In this study, a laboratory strain of Anopheles stephensi was used to assess the effects of a commercial formulation (Neem Azal) (NA)), containing azadirachtin A at 34%, on blood feeding, oviposition and oocyte ultrastructure. Oral administration of Neem Azal) to A. stephensi females through artificial blood meals did impair blood intake and oviposition in a concentration dependent manner. Similar results were obtained on females, which had consumed Neem Azal) in sucrose solution before taking a blood meal of plain blood. Neem treated females displayed a delay in oocyte development in both the phase of vitellogenesis and the phase of choriogenesis. The ultrastructural studies on ovaries from Neem Azal) treated females revealed distinct structural modifications indicative of: (i) a complete... |
| | Pierluigi Caboni, Giorgia Sarais, Alberto Angioni, Ana Juan Garcia, Francesco Lai, Fabrizio Dedola, and Paolo CabrasWeb Release Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST (Article) DOI: 10.1021/jf062461v (Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry) |
| | This study was conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) on nematode parasites of sheep. Twelve Santa Ines cross bred sheep from a government farm were randomly selected and equally divided into control (n = 6) and treated groups (n =6). Faecal egg counts (FEC) using the modified McMaster technique and the FAMACHA score for assessing clinical anaemia were carried out daily and recorded for 6 weeks. At the end of the study all the animals were slaughtered and the total worm count (TWC) was done. The results of FEC showed that there was no significant difference between the control and treated group (p = 0.081). However, worm burden estimations showed that the number of parasites was significantly higher in the control group compared to the treated group (p &... |
| | A narrative review in the Lancet Seminar series covering scabies, a skin infestation by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei that can affect a range of mammals as well as humans. The authors note that this is a neglected disease that can be a major public health problem in resource-poor regions, as it can cause considerable morbidity from secondary infections and post-infection complications.
They discuss the lifecycle and transmission of the parasite, noting that although the mite can survive for several hours away from the host (up to a week under ideal conditions), close skin contact is normally required for successful transmission unless the infected host has a particularly high parasite load. Cases are generally sporadic in industrialised countries, and epidemics are associated with... |
| | Authors: Haque E, Baral R
We have reported earlier that pretreatment of mice with neem leaf preparation (NLP) causes prophylactic growth inhibition of murine Ehrlich's carcinoma (EC) and B16 melanoma. Using adoptive cell transfer technology, here we have established that NLP-mediated activation of immune cells may be involved in tumor growth restriction. Mononuclear cells from blood and spleen of NLP-activated Swiss and C57BL/6 mice causes enhanced cytotoxicity to murine EC cells in vitro. Fractionation of spleen cells exhibited greater percentage of tumor cell lysis in macrophage and B-cell-depleted NK and T-cell-rich fractions. Flow cytometric analysis revealed in both blood and spleen, NK cells (DX5+ or NK1.1+) and NK-T cells (CD3+/DX5+ or CD3+/NK1.1+) were increased in number in Sw... |
| | Authors: Jagannath JH, Radhika M
Polymeric bio-adhesives emulsion which is biodegradable and non-toxic containing antimicrobial agents can play an important role in preventing infection in wound covering and coating for surgical implants. Therefore a bioadhesive polymer was synthesized by semi-Interpenetrating Network process using blend of shellac, casein and polyvinyl alcohol and Maleic anhydride (MA) as reactive compatibilizer. The synthesized polymer was mixed with neem and turmeric extract and homogenized using an emulsifier. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to measure the molecular miscibility of biopolymer components and emulsion constituents. Stability of emulsion (coating) was measured by keeping property and accelerated stability test. Antimicrobial properties... | | | |
