Effect of the incorporation of Neem (Azadirachta indica) wood ash in Kodeck ceramic materials for the manufacture of fired bricks (Far-North Cameroon).

The current study evaluates the suitability of Neem (Azadirachta Indica) wood ash as raw material in the production of ceramic bricks for their application in construction. Accordingly, for the fabrication of bricks, compositions were prepared by adding increasing amounts of Neem wood ash (0%, 5%, and 10% in wt.). The specimens were manufactured by mixing clay with a Neem wood ash amendment and subsequently compacted and fired at 850 °C, 950 °C, and 1050 °C. The fired samples were characterized to determine their technological properties. The results indicate that brick formulations containing Neem wood ash decreased the bulk density up to 8%. Water absorption increased up to 10% and porosity also increased up to 20% with wood of ash. These values meet the Turkish TS EN standards for masonry structures. Due to the interesting performances observed, the potential used up to 10 wt% of Neem Wood ash in ceramic formulations of industrial interest was confirmed. Therefore, incorporating ash into a clay material reduces environmental problems and the total cost of raw material disposition. This is very important in the Sahelian zone and it provides a great opportunity for the inhabitants of this zone.

Performance of a hermetic device and neem (Azadirachta indica) in storing wheat seed: Evidence from participatory household trials in central Bangladesh.

Smallholder farmers in Bangladesh often use low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags contained within woven polypropylene bags to store wheat seed during the summer monsoon that precedes winter season planting. High humidity and temperature during this period can encourage increased seed moisture and pests, thereby lowering seed quality. Following a farm household survey conducted to inform trial design, eighty farmers were engaged in an action research process in which they participated in designing and conducting trials comparing traditional and alternative seed storage methods over 30 weeks. Factorial treatments included comparison of hermetic SuperGrainbags® (Premium RZ) against LDPE bags, both with and without the addition of dried neem tree leaves (Azadirachta indica). SuperGrainbags® were more effective in maintaining seed moisture at acceptable levels close to pre-storage conditions than LDPE bags. Both seed germination and seedling coleoptile length were significantly greater in hermetic than LDPE bags. Neem had no effect on seed moisture, germination, or coleoptile length. SuperGrainbags® were also more effective in abating seed damage during storage, although inclusion of neem within LDPE bags also had significant damage. Quantification of seed predating insects and diseases suggested that SuperGrainbags® also suppressed Coleopteran pests and blackspot, the latter indicative of Fusarium graminearum. Conversely, where farmers used LDPE bags, neem also had an additional though limited pest suppressive effect. Post-storage treatment scoring by farmers revealed a strong preference for SuperGrainbags® and no preference differences for or against neem. This study demonstrates a process by which farmers can be involved in the participatory co-design and testing of alternative wheat storage options, and stresses the need to develop SuperGrainbag® supply chains so hermetic storage can be made widely available.

The Antimicrobial Potential of the Neem Tree Azadirachta indica.

Azadirachta indica (A. Juss), also known as the neem tree, has been used for millennia as a traditional remedy for a multitude of human ailments. Also recognized around the world as a broad-spectrum pesticide and fertilizer, neem has applications in agriculture and beyond. Currently, the extensive antimicrobial activities of A. indica are being explored through research in the fields of dentistry, food safety, bacteriology, mycology, virology, and parasitology. Herein, some of the most recent studies that demonstrate the potential of neem as a previously untapped source of novel therapeutics are summarized as they relate to the aforementioned research topics. Additionally, the capacity of neem extracts and compounds to act against drug-resistant and biofilm-forming organisms, both of which represent large groups of pathogens for which there are limited treatment options, are highlighted. Updated information on the phytochemistry and safety of neem-derived products are discussed as well. Although there is a growing body of exciting evidence that supports the use of A. indica as an antimicrobial, additional studies are clearly needed to determine the specific mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and in vivo safety of neem as a treatment for human pathogens of interest. Moreover, the various ongoing studies and the diverse properties of neem discussed herein may serve as a guide for the discovery of new antimicrobials that may exist in other herbal panaceas across the globe.

Characterization of microRNAs from neem (Azadirachta indica) and their tissue-specific expression study in leaves and stem.

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a very popular traditional medicinal plant used since ancient times to treat numerous ailments. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, non-coding, short RNA molecules that play important regulatory roles in plant development and metabolism. In this study, deploying a high stringent genome-wide computational-based approach and following a set of strict filtering norms a total of 44 potential conserved neem miRNAs belonging to 21 families and their corresponding 48 potential target transcripts were identified. Important targets include Squamosa promoter binding protein-like proteins, NAC, Scarecrow proteins, Auxin response factor, and F-box proteins. A biological network has also been developed to understand the miRNA-mediated gene regulation using the minimum free energy (MFE) values of the miRNA-target interaction. Moreover, six selected miRNAs were reported to be involved in secondary metabolism in other plant species (miR156a, miR156l, miR160, miR164, miR171, miR395) were validated by qPCR and their tissue-specific differential expression pattern was observed in leaves and stem. Except for ain-miR395, all the other miRNAs were found overexpressed in the stem as compared to leaves. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of neem miRNAs and we believe the finding of the present study will be useful for the functional genomic study of medicinal plants. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02839-z.

Effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) versus 2.5% sodium hypochlorite as root canal irrigants on the intensity of post-operative pain and the amount of endotoxins in mandibular molars with necrotic pulps: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To assess the effect of Neem versus 2.5% NaOCl as root canal irrigants on the intensity of post-operative pain and amount of endotoxins following root canal treatment of mandibular molars with necrotic pulps. METHODOLOGY: This parallel, prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial with allocation ratio 1:1 was conducted in the out-patient clinic of the Endodontic Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt. Fifty healthy patients with mandibular molars with necrotic pulps were randomly assigned into two equal groups using computer software. In the intervention group, root canals were irrigated using Neem; whilst 2.5% NaOCl was used in the control group. A standard root canal treatment was performed in two visits using ProTaper Next rotary files, with no intracanal medication. Pain intensity was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS) 6, 12, 24 and 48 h following instrumentation and canal filling. Endotoxin samples were collected using three paper points before and after canal instrumentation and a sandwich ELISA method was used to quantify the level of endotoxins. Demographic, baseline, and outcome data were collected and analysed using chi-square tests (for the comparisons of categorical variables), Mann-Whitney tests (for non-normally distributed variables) and Student's t tests (for normally distributed variables), A P-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean pain scores within the two groups decreased continually over time. The mean pain scores in the Neem group were lower than those in the 2.5% NaOCl group at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h following instrumentation and canal filling with no significant difference between them except at 24 h following instrumentation (P = 0.012). Both irrigants significantly reduced endotoxin levels compared to the pre-instrumentation samples (P < 0.001) by 8% for the NaOCL group and 18% for the Neem group. CONCLUSION: Neem and 2.5% NaOCl were not significantly different in terms of reducing the intensity of post-operative pain during all follow-up periods except at 24 h following instrumentation where Neem was associated with lower pain intensity. Both irrigants significantly reduced endotoxin levels but were not effective in eliminating endotoxins completely from root canals of mandibular molars with necrotic pulps.

In vitro and in vivo effects of neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) products on larvae of the sheep nose bot fly (Oestrus ovis L. Díptera: Oestridae).

Two studies were carried out in order to test the effects of neem tree extracts (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on sheep bot fly larvae (Oestrus ovis L. Diptera: Oestridae). First, aqueous extracts from neem seeds (ASNE) at 0, 5 y 10% (w/v) concentrations were tested on larval mortality in vitro. In a second study, the effect of oral administration with neem seed meal (0, 100 y 200mg/kg) and neem leaves (1% of diet) on number of larvae found at necropsy and larval development was evaluated in experimentally O. ovis-infected sheep. Results in Experiment 1 showed a significant (P<0.05) effect of ASNE on time to L1 mortality in a dosis-dependent manner. In Experiment 2, oral administration of seeds or leaves did not affect the number of larvae found at necropsy of the sheep, but interfered with larval development and there was a tendency to reduce larval weight at the end of the infection period (55d).

Dinámica de nutrientes en plantaciones forestales de Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) establecidas para restauración de tierras degradadas en Colombia / Nutrient dynamics in forest plantations of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) established for resto- ration of degraded lands in Colombia

Azadirachta indica is a tree species which use is steadily increasing for restoration of tropical and subtropical arid and degraded lands throughout the world. The objective of this research study was to evaluate the potential of these plantations as an active restoration model for the recovery of soils under desertification in arid lands of Colombia. Litter traps and litter-bags were installed in twenty 250m² plots. Green leaves and soil samples inside and outside this species plantations were taken, and their elemental concentrations were determined. Litterfall, leaf litter decomposition and foliar nutrient resorption were moni- tored for one year. The annual contributions of organic material, such as fine litterfall, represented 557.54kg/ha, a third of which was A. indica leaves. The greatest potential returns of nutrients per foliar litterfall were from Ca (4.6kg/ha) and N (2.4kg/ha), and the smallest potential returns came from P (0.06kg/ha). A total of 68% of the foliar material deposited in litter-bags disappeared after one year. The greatest release of nutrients was that of K (100%), and the least was that of N (40%). P was the most limiting nutrient, with low edaphic availability and high nutrient use efficiency from Vitousek´s index (IEV=3176) and foliar nutrient resorption (35%). Despite these plantations are young, and that they have not had forestry management practices, as an active restoration model, they have revitalized the biogeochemical cycle, positively modifying the edaphic parameters according to the increases in organic material, P and K of 72%, 31% and 61%, respectively. Furthermore, they improved the stability of aggregates and the microbe respiration rates. The forest plantation model with exotic species has been opposed by different sectors; however, it has been acknowledged that these projects derive many benefits for the restoration of biodiversity and ecosystemic functions. The conditions of severe land degradation demand the initial use of species, such as A. indica, that can adapt quickly and successfully, and progressively reestablish the biogeochemical cycle.

Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Nim) ha sido ampliamente empleada en procedimientos de restauración, por lo tanto se evaluó el potencial de sus plantaciones para restaurar tierras secas degradadas por sobrepastoreo, vía reactivación del ciclo biogeoquímico. En 20 parcelas de 250m², se instalaron trampas de hojarasca y litter-bags. Se tomaron muestras de hojas maduras y de suelos dentro y fuera de las plantaciones, y se determinaron sus contenidos elementales. Fueron monitoreados la caída de hojarasca, la descomposición de hojarasca y la reabsorción de nutrientes foliares durante un año. Los aportes anuales de hojarasca fina representaron 557.54kg/ha (33% hojas de Nim). Los mayores retornos potenciales de nutrientes vía foliar fue- ron de Ca (4.6kg/ha) y N (2.4kg/ha) y los menores de P (0.06kg/ha). El 68% del material se descompuso tras un año. La mayor liberación de nutrientes fue de K (100%) y la menor de N (40%). El P fue el nutriente más limitante, con baja disponibilidad edáfica y alta eficiencia en su uso según el Índice de Vitousek (IEV=3 176) y la reabsorción foliar (35%). Estas plantaciones juveniles demostraron efectividad en la reactivación del ciclo biogeoquímico, que mejoraron parámetros edáficos, según incrementos de materia orgánica, P y K; 72%, 31% y 61%, respectiva- mente. Además mejoraron la estabilidad de agregados y las tasas de respiración microbiana.

Regenerative Potential of Aqueous Extract of Neem Azadirachta indica on the Stomach and Ileum Following Ethanol-induced Mucosa Lesion in Adult Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine whether neem Azadirachta indica possesses regenerative potential on the stomach and ileum at 500 mg/kg dose given every 12 hours after mucosa lesion was brought by the administration of 1 ml of 50% ethanol for 21 consecutive days in adult Wistar rats. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats used in the study were divided into 3 groups: group A received oral normal saline and served as control; group B received 1.0 ml of 50% ethanol orally every 12 hours; and group C received neem extract (500 mg/kg) orally 12 hours after ethanol (50%, 1.0 ml) administration to verify its regenerative potential. The experiment lasted for 21 days after which the animals were sacrificed following chloroform inhalation and the stomach and ileum excised and processed for histological and morphometric examinations. RESULTS: Ethanol treated rats showed marked gross mucosal lesions in the stomach and ileum. Ulcerated mucosa with marked apoptotic bodies and destruction of glandular elements were evident in the animals (group B). Neem extract administered 12 hours after the ethanol administration showed regenerative potential against ethanol-induced mucosal damage. This was characterized by mild restoration of the ulcerated mucosa epithelium and reorganization of the cyto-architechtural outline in group C. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation suggests that neem extract has a regenerative potential and may be adopted in the management of gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcer.