A REVIEW OF BIOACTIVE CONSTITUENTS, PHARMACOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA)

Neem (Azadirachta indica), a member of the Meliaceae family, is a well-known medicinal tree widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. It has been extensively utilized in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha for its remarkable therapeutic properties. Various parts of the plant-including leaves, bark, seeds, flowers, and oil- are rich in diverse bioactive constituents such as azadirachtin, nimbin, nimbidin, nimbolide, quercetin, and salannin. These phytochemicals are responsible for neem's broad pharmacological spectrum, which includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, and. Modern pharmacological investigations have validated many traditional uses of neem and highlighted its potential as a source for novel drug development. The mechanisms of action of its active compounds involve modulation of oxidative stress, inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators, and interference with cellular signaling pathways associated with disease progression. Furthermore, neem's biocompatibility and low toxicity profile make it an attractive candidate for formulating safe and effective herbal therapeutics. Despite significant progress, further clinical studies and advanced formulation research, including nanoformulations and targeted drug delivery, are needed to fully explore its potential. This review focuses on the diverse bioactive constituents of neem and their pharmacological and therapeutic significance, emphasizing its value as a versatile medicinal plant in modern drug discovery.