1.1 INTRODUCTION
The tree which is called neem (Azadirachta indica) a natural tropical evergreen tree and found to be deciduous in drier regions native to the Indian sub-continent [1]. It has been found that neem is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine for more than 1000ās of years because of its long-lasting medicinal properties. Neem is regarded as āaristaā in Sanskrit, this word means āperfect, imperishable, and completeā [2]. Most of the parts of this plant such as fruits, seeds, leaves, bark, and roots contain components, which are proved to have antiseptic, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, and antifungal uses. The Sanskrit name for neem called ānimbaā taken from the term ānimbatiswasthyamdadatiā which signifies āto give good health.ā The significance of the Neem tree is scripted in ancient documents āCharak-Samhitaā and āSusruta-Samhita,ā which builds the basics of the Indian system of natural treatment, Ayurveda. It is generally known as āMargosaā or āIndian lilacā and associates to the family Meliaceae. The Persian name of neem is termed āAzad-Darakth-E-Hindā which denotes the āFree tree of India.ā Neem is accepted to be a division of Indiaās genetic diversity [3, 4].
Neem tree is considered to be the most researched tree in the entire world and is regarded to be the most beneficial tree of the 21st century. It has been found that Neem holds great potential in the streams of environment protection, pest management, and medicine. Neem is a natural medium of pesticides, agrochemicals, and insecticides [5, 6].
Neem is a huge tree with a height, which grows up to 25 m, semi-erect to the straight trunk, has a girth of 3 m, and enlarged branches forming a broad ring. Generally, the Neem tree initially starts fruiting after a gap of 3ā5 years. In a span of 10 years, this tree becomes fully mature to produce. After 10 years and onwards, this tree becomes capable of producing up to 50 kg of fruit annually [7].
The plant āNeemā is reported to have a life of about two centuries. The tree has proved adaptability to a vast range of climatic, edaphic, and topo-graphic conditions. It rebels well in stony, dry, and shallow soils. Also, on soils, which have a solid calcareous or clay pan, at a facile depth. Neem tree needs a small amount of water and a huge amount of sunlight [3, 4].
This tree nurtures naturally in regions where rainfall of range 450 to 1200 mm is experienced. However, it has been proved that even in areas where the rainfall is as less as 150 to 250 mm this tree can grow. Neem is noticed to grow on altitudes which extend up to the area of 1500 m [8ā10]. This tree grows good in the vivid temperature range of 0Ā°C to 49Ā°C [11]. This tree is not prone. This tree withstands water-logged areas and a soil type which is poorly drained. It is found that this tree grows best in the pH, which ranges between 4 and 10. It is famous for its attribute that it can be grown on multiple types of soil including clayey, saline, and alkaline soil, but is noticed to be grown best on deep well-drained soil and black cotton soils with good partial soil water. Neem trees have the classic property to neutralize acidic soils by a notable property of calcium mining [11].
All these parts are proven to contain compounds which have antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and others use [12]. Traditionally, the Neem tree is used for the treatment of commonly known diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, and fever. Extracts of Neem are traditionally administered through the routes which include its application-oral, topical uses, and vaginal [13].
