Immunomodulatory effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil

Int J Immunopharmacol. 1992 Oct;14(7):1187-93. doi: 10.1016/0192-0561(92)90054-o.

Abstract

Immunomodulatory effects of neem oil were studied in mice. The animals were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with neem oil; control animals received the emulsifying agent with or without peanut oil. Peritoneal lavage, collected on subsequent days, showed a maximum number of leukocytic cells on day 3 following treatment with neem oil; peritoneal macrophages exhibited enhanced phagocytic activity and expression of MHC class-II antigens. Neem oil treatment also induced the production of gamma interferon. Spleen cells of neem oil-treated animals showed a significantly higher lymphocyte proliferative response to in vitro challenge with Con A or tetanus toxoid (TT) than that of the controls. Pre-treatment with neem oil, however, did not augment the anti-TT antibody response. The results of this study indicate that neem oil acts as a non-specific immunostimulant and that it selectively activates the cell-mediated immune (CMI) mechanisms to elicit an enhanced response to subsequent mitogenic or antigenic challenge.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Glycerides / pharmacology*
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Leukocytes / drug effects
  • Leukocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology*
  • Terpenes / pharmacology*
  • Tetanus Toxoid / immunology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Glycerides
  • Plant Oils
  • Terpenes
  • Tetanus Toxoid
  • neem oil
  • Interferon-gamma