The Pharmacological Study of Nimba (Azadirachta indica) in relation to SHALAKYA.
The Pharmacological Study of Nimba (Azadirachta indica) in relation to SHALAKYA.By: Dr. Pancha janya Kumar. Deevi P.G Scholar Shalakya- P.G unit. Dr. B.R.K.R.Govt. Ayurvedic College, Erragadda, Hyderabad Telangana.
ContentsIntroductionAbout the DrugPharmacological Study of propertiesPharmacological actions of the Nimba in diseases of ShalakyaConclusionReferences
Introduction Pranah panabhritah yatrasritah sarvenndriyanicha... (Charaka)Shiras is the vital organ (among the 3 marmas) according to Ayurveda.which is base for 5 senses, so it is called as Uttamanga of the entire body. The diseases pertaining to this part dealt in Shalakya tantra of Ashtanga Ayurveda. Nimba is vividly used in the treatments of Shalakya. The phytochemicals such as Nimbidin, Nimbin, Nimbinin etc.are present in it, make the plant useful in the treatment.
About the DrugNimba Azadirachta indica belong to family Meliaceae.The useful parts of the plant in Shalakya are: Leaves Oil Flowers Bark
Seeds
Twigs
About the DrugThe Ayurvedic properties of the Nimba are: Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya. Guna: Laghu. Virya: Sita. Vipaka: Katu.The Chemical compositions Bark - Nimbidin 0.5%, Nimbin0.03%, Nimbinin0.001%, Nibosterol0.03%, Olatile Oil0.02%, Tanin6%,and A Bitter Substance Margosine. Seed oil- Sulphur, Resins, Glucosides, Fatty Acids. Leaves- the flavanoid Quercetin and Nimbosterol as well as a number of Limonoids. Quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, is known to have Antibacterial and Antifungal properties.About the DrugThe therapeutic indications in Uttamanga : Its mainly used in Kapha Pitta janya vikaras.Nimba leaves-Netryam, Kriminut, Pittanuth,and, and in combination with other herbs acts as Sothaghna, Kandughna, Vyathapaha.
Nimba seeds: as paste (Kalka) indicated in bahya krimi (head lice).
About the DrugNimba oil: as Nasal drops in Palitya & khalitya.
Nimba bark: as kashayam (infusion) to clean the auditory canal.Nimba leaves and flowers: its juice used as eye drops in Abhishyanda etc diseases.
Nimba extract: in yuvana pitika and infective conditions.
Pharmacological Study of propertiesAnalgesic effect: In a Study done by Kumar et al., (2012) by using albino rats, it was found that Neem seed oil (NSO) of 2ml/kg body weight is comparable to morphine with a dose of 1mg/kg body weight, NSO produces a better analgesic effect than morphine with 45 minute of interval and in another similar study done by Srinivasa et al., (2014) it were stated that Neem resembles indomethacine.
Pharmacological Study of propertiesAntibacterial: In study done by Vashist and Jindal, (2012) the Azadirachta indica seeds poses an antibacterial activity against the bacteria that causes eye infection (Ophthalmic infection) such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Pharmacological Study of propertiesAntihyperglycemic agent: A dose of 250 mg/kg of aqueous extract of fresh leaves of Neem was administrated orally onto streptozotocin induced and its associated retinopathy in rats for 16 weeks and resulted in significant fall in blood glucose level and serum lipids and there were slight increase in HDL level. The slight increase indicates the extract as positive effect in lipid metabolism of diabetic rats. Furthermore the plant completely reversed the unusual changes in the retina of the rats (Hussain, 2002). Pharmacological Study of propertiesAntifungal effects Aqueous and ethanolic extract of Neem leaves were found effective against Candida albicans by which these organism shows sensitivity at the concentration of 15% and 7.5% on aqueous extract and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was 7.5%. In the ethanolic extraction Candida albicans were found to be susceptible at the concentration of 15%, 7.5% and 3.75%, besides that; the MIC were 3.75% ( Aarati et al., 2011).
Pharmacological Study of propertiesAntiviral The aqueous extract of Neem bark were found to be effective against Herpes simplex virus type 1 by blocking its entry into natural target cell (Tiwari et al., 2010).
Pharmacological actions of the Nimba in diseases of ShalakyaNetra rogas: Acc. to Ayurveda, Netra is Pitta dominant sense organ which is hurted by Kapha dosha. Nimba due to its tikta rasa mitigates both Kapha and Pitta simultaneously. So it can be used in conditions with Swelling, itching, and redness. Eg: Abhishyanda (conjunctivitis), Krimigranthi (chronic blepharitis).According to modern Pharmacology the drug can act as an Antibiotic, Antiviral, Antifungal and Analgesic so it can be used in above said conditions. In addition the Antihyperglycemic action it can be used in patients of Diabetic Retinopathy along with their parent medication.
Pharmacological actions of the Nimba in diseases of ShalakyaMukha rogas: Acc. to Ayurveda the oral hygiene is maintained by danta dhavana, kavala, gandusha dharana etc. For danta dhavana the twigs and for gandusha bark Kashaya are useful. Which protect the danta, danta- moola and talu by its tikta and Kashaya rasas, which prevent bleeding gums, halitosis, krimi danta etc.Acc. to modern Pharmacology by having Antibacterial and Antifungal properties the drug can fulfil above condition.
Pharmacological actions of the Nimba in diseases of ShalakyaKarna rogas: Acc. to Ayurveda in karna roga the cleaning has to be done with the Kashaya of Nimba due to its Kashaya rasa.Apart from that due to its ropana property the drug is used in combination for the dressing in post surgical cases. Eg: Vrana sodhana taila- karna pali sandhana.According to modern pharmacology the drug can be act as an Antibiotic, Antifungal and Analgesic so it supports the above point.
Pharmacological actions of the Nimba in diseases of ShalakyaSiro / kapala rogas: Acc. to Ayurveda the bahya krimis are yuka and liksha which are present on scalp. The seed paste is used for this purpose because of its krimihara property due to its tiktarasa and presence of Gandhaka amsa in it. Apart from this in khalitya (hair fall), Palitya (graying of hair) its oil used as nasal drops which pacifies the obstruction caused by Kapha and Pitta dosha at hair follicles.According to modern pharmacology the drug can as Germicidal which supports the first point. Coming to the second point by Anti fungal action.
Conclusion
The drug Nimba is well known for kushta and Antra Vikaras. The usages of its 5 parts in various forms Bahukalpam. The wide range of action of its chemical constituents Bahugunam.The drug is very economical and abundantly available in our county Sampanam. Yogyam its vividly used in the diseases of Uttamanga.Further studies on Nimba in the pharmacological front will give good number of products in our hand. That is the utmost attainment of a Pharmacological Study.ReferencesCharaka samhita by R.k Sharma and Bhagavan das sutra sthana trimarmiya adhyaya.Susruta samhita by Kavirak kunjan lal Bhishagratna uttara sthana.Dravyaguna viga by Acharya P.V.Sharma vol.2 Bhava prakasha nighantu of sri bhava mishra by sri brahma shankara mishra and sri rupalal ji vaisya.Action and uses of Indigenous Ophthalmic drugs by Dr.N.Srikanth.
References e-reference International Journal of Biosciences | IJB | ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print) 2222- 5234 (Online) http://www.innspub.net Vol. 5, No. 6, p. 104-112, 2014Pharmacological and non pharmacological activity of Azadirachta indica (Neem) - A review Muthulinggam Nishan1*, Partiban Subramanian2 1Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Biomedicine and Health, ASIA Metropolitan University 2Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Biomedicine and Health, ASIA Metropolitan University, G-8 Jalan Kemacahaya 11, Taman Kemacahaya, Batu 9, 43200 Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia .
Acknowledgement Dr. Ch. Ramadevi M.D, (PhD.) Associate. Professor.Dr. T. Praveen Kumar M.D, Professor. P.G.Shalakya Department.Organizers of SRESHTA -2015 Department of Dravya Guna. Dr.B.R.K.R.Govt. Ayurvedic college S.R.Nagar Hyderabad-500038.
