Neem as antiviral agents

ABSTRACT

The neem plant [Azardirachata indica] belonging to the family Meliaceae has been widely used as a traditional medicine for many centuries in tropical countries. Neem is considered to be of divine origin according to Indian mythology. Earlier studies have indicated that neem contains substances with strong antiviral activity. Neem truly seems like miraculous natural drug. Various preparations of neem obtained from its different parts have been found to exert antibacterial, antiviral, anti malarial, antioxidant, antifungal, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, contraceptive and antiulcer activity. Azadirachta indica shows therapeutics role as antiviral agents due to rich sources of various types of ingredients. The review has facts that documented that neem extracts significantly inhibit the polio virus, HSV Influenza virus, HIV, coxsackie B group virus. Also neem extract act as a viricidal agent against coxsackievirus B-4 by virus inactivation. Similarly, inhibitory potential of neem extract at virus replication step for Dengue virus type-2 and certain other viruses.