Evaluation of cytotoxic and antiviral activities of aqueous leaves extracts of different plants against foot and mouth disease virus infection in farming animals

Cytotoxic and antiviral activity of aqueous leaves extracts of three plants: Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Morus alba against Foot and Mouth disease virus (FMDV) were determined using MTT assay (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide). Eight different concentrations of each plant were evaluated. Cytotoxic and antiviral activity of each extract was evaluated as cell survival percentage and results were expressed as Means ± S.D. From the tested plant extracts, Azadirachta indica & Moringa oleifera exhibited cytotoxicity at 200 & 100 μ/ml respectively. In case of antiviral assay, Moringa oleifera showed potent antiviral activity (p<0.05) while Azadirachta indica showed significant antiviral activity in the range of 12.5-50 μ/ml & 50-100 μ/ml respectively. In contrast no anti-FMDV activity in the present study was observed with Morus alba, although all the tested concentrations were found to be safe.

Toxicological evaluation of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil: acute and subacute toxicity

Neem (Azadirachta indica), popularly known as traditional medicine is a native plant in India. Neem oil is a vegetable oil derived from seeds or fruits of the neem tree through pressing or solvent extraction, and largely used in popular medicine to have antifungal, antibacterial, antimalarial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, as well as immunemodulatory properties in different animal species. In the present study, acute and 28-day subacute toxicity tests were carried out. In the acute toxicity test, the LD50 values of neem oil were found to be 31.95g/kg. The subacute treatment with neem oil failed to change body weight gain, food and water consumption. Serum biochemistry analysis showed no significant differences in any of the parameters examined under the dose of 1600mg/kg/day. Histopathological exams showed that the target organs of neem oil were testicle, liver and kidneys up to the dose of 1600mg/kg/day.

Removal of Remazol Blue RR dye from aqueous solutions with Neem leaves and evaluation of their acute toxicity with Daphnia magna

The removal of dyes present in industrial effluent has received great attention in the past few years. This is partly due to increasing environmental awareness and the implementation of ever stricter environmental rules. However, some treatments for color removal from these effluents do not guarantee the absence of other secondary toxic substances, often originating from the treatment process itself. The aim of this study is to evaluate the toxicity level of the adsorbent Neem, used in adsorption processes for color removal, as well as that of the dye solution before and after the adsorption process. The toxicity tests were carried out according to the Environment Agency FATMA regulation no. 017/02. They consisted of exposing representative microorganisms from the environment, for a certain time interval, to several concentrations of one or more substances, under different environmental conditions, and then evaluating the toxic effects. The results show that the Neem leaf extract had a harmful affect on the test organism used. Thus, it is recommended that the leaf extract is removed prior to effluent treatment, since the results of this study indicate that this will reduce the toxicity of the effluent and also improve the efficiency of the adsorption process.

Piscicidal potential of mesocarp of neem plant (Azadirachta indica L.) fruit on hybrid, "Heteroclarias"

The piscicidal potential of water-extract mesocarp of Azadirachta indica (L) was studied in static bioassay experiment with continuous aeration to determine its acute toxicity The mortality rate and opercular ventilation under laboratory conditions over 96 hr exposure were monitored. The 96 hrLC50 was 81.28 mgl(-1) while the threshold value was 21.13 mgl(-1). The fish exhibited respiratory distress (such as gasping air), loss of appetite, loss of balance and erratic swimming prior to mortality.

Effect of biopesticides on the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The effects of bacterial toxins (Bacillus thuringiensis) and botanical insecticides (Azadirachta indica and Vitex negundo) on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (the rice leaffolder) were evaluated. Bacterial toxins and botanical insecticides affected the LDH activity individually and in combination. When they were combined, the effect was more severe at low concentration. There was a decrease in enzyme activity over controls at all concentrations tested. The combined effect of the three biopesticides resulted in a considerable decrease in enzyme activity, indicating strong enzyme inhibition. Clear dose-response relationships were established with respect to enzyme activity.

Neem-An Omnipotent Plant: A Retrospection

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) has universally been accepted as a wonder tree because of its diverse utility. Multidirectional therapeutic uses of neem have been known in India since the Vedic times. Besides its therapeutic efficacies, neem has already established its potential as a source of naturally occurring insecticide, pesticide and agrochemicals. Safe and economically cheaper uses of different parts of neem in the treatment of various diseases and in agriculture are discussed in this article. It further deals with the active chemical constituents of various neem formulations. Commercially available neem products are also mentioned along with their respective applications. Furthermore, evaluation of safety aspects of different parts of neem and neem compounds along with commercial formulations are also taken into consideration. Systematic scientific knowledge on neem reported so far is thus very useful for the wider interests of the world community.

Cytogenetic toxicity of neem

The cytogenetic toxicity of the leaf extract of neem was evaluated in murine germ cells. The extract was found to induce structural and numerical changes in the spermatocyte chromosomes as well as synaptic disturbances in them at their first metaphase. A significant increase in the frequency of sperms with abnormal head morphology and the decrease in mean sperm count were also observed. This spermatotoxic effect of the neem extract corroborates its germ cell mutagenicity. The possible role of azadirachtin, the most active principle present in the neem extract, in producing the observed genotoxic effect is discussed.