Utilizing larvicidal and pupicidal efficacy of Eucalyptus and neem oil against Aedes mosquito: An approach for mosquito control

The Antimicrobial Potential of the Neem Tree Azadirachta indica

Azadirachta indica (A. Juss), also known as the neem tree, has been used for millennia as a traditional remedy for a multitude of human ailments. Also recognized around the world as a broad-spectrum pesticide and fertilizer, neem has applications in agriculture and beyond. Currently, the extensive antimicrobial activities of A. indica are being explored through research in the fields of dentistry, food safety, bacteriology, mycology, virology, and parasitology. Herein, some of the most recent studies that demonstrate the potential of neem as a previously untapped source of novel therapeutics are summarized as they relate to the aforementioned research topics. Additionally, the capacity of neem extracts and compounds to act against drug-resistant and biofilm-forming organisms, both of which represent large groups of pathogens for which there are limited treatment options, are highlighted. Updated information on the phytochemistry and safety of neem-derived products are discussed as well. Although there is a growing body of exciting evidence that supports the use of A. indica as an antimicrobial, additional studies are clearly needed to determine the specific mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and in vivo safety of neem as a treatment for human pathogens of interest. Moreover, the various ongoing studies and the diverse properties of neem discussed herein may serve as a guide for the discovery of new antimicrobials that may exist in other herbal panaceas across the globe.

In vitro Anti-parasitic Activity of Pelargonium X. asperum Essential Oil Against Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasmosis is a global zoonotic disease, and one-third of the human population is chronically infected by Toxoplasma gondii. Due to the limited effectiveness and prominent side effects of the existing drugs, there is a dire need for the discovery of new therapeutic options in the treatment of toxoplasmosis. In this study, five essential oils (EO) were screened for their anti-parasitic activity against T. gondii. The cytotoxicity of essential oils was evaluated using the MTT assay on human foreskin fibroblast cells. The CC₅₀ values of Eucalyptus globulus EO, Cupressus sempervirens EO, Citrus aurantifolia EO, Melaleuca alternifolia EO, and Pelargonium X. asperum (Pa) EO were found to be 22.74, 7.25, 15.01, 6.26, and 4.77 mg/mL, respectively. Only PaEO exhibited anti-parasitic activity, and inhibited the growth of T. gondii in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with PaEO, was found to reduce the volume of T. gondii tachyzoites and make their membrane surfaces rough. These results showed that PaEO was able to inhibit the growth of T. gondii by reducing invasion, which may be due to its detrimental effect on the ability of tachyzoites to move. These findings suggest that PaEO could be a potential anti-T. gondii drug, which may facilitate the development of new and effective treatments against toxoplasmosis.