Toxicological evaluation of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil: acute and subacute toxicity.
Neem (Azadirachta indica), popularly known as traditional medicine is a native plant in India. Neem oil is a vegetable oil derived from seeds or fruits of the neem tree through pressing or solvent extraction, and largely used in popular medicine to have antifungal, antibacterial, antimalarial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, as well as immunemodulatory properties in different animal species. In the present study, acute and 28-day subacute toxicity tests were carried out. In the acute toxicity test, the LD50 values of neem oil were found to be 31.95g/kg. The subacute treatment with neem oil failed to change body weight gain, food and water consumption. Serum biochemistry analysis showed no significant differences in any of the parameters examined under the dose of 1600mg/kg/day. Histopathological exams showed that the target organs of neem oil were testicle, liver and kidneys up to the dose of 1600mg/kg/day.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China.
Yun-xia
YX
Deng
Mei
M
Cao
Dong-xia
DX
Shi
Zhong-qiong
ZQ
Yin
Ren-yong
RY
Jia
Jiao
J
Xu
Chuan
C
Wang
Cheng
C
Lv
Xiao-xia
XX
Liang
Chang-liang
CL
He
Zhi-rong
ZR
Yang
Jian
J
Zhao
D000818:Animals; D031601:Azadirachta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005989:Glycerides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D007194:India; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013729:Terpenes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D059551:Toxicity Tests, Subacute
D005989:Glycerides; D013729:Terpenes; C002443:neem oil