ABSTRACT

The characterization of Azadirachta indica was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrophotometer. The result reveals the present of the following compounds which include Aliphatic amines, Alkanes and Primary amines. The intensity of these peaks was used to determine the relative abundance of each functional group in the plant sample. The results obtained from this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the chemical composition of the plant and may be responsible for the use of this plant in the treatment of various diseases.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page    –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         i

Certification           –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         ii

Dedication   –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         iii

Acknowledgements         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         iv

Abstract       –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         v

Table of Contents  –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         vi

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the study  –         –         –         –         –         –         1

1.2     Aim and Objectives of the study          –         –         –         –         4

1.3     Scope and Limitation       –         –         –         –         –         –         5

1.4     Definition of terms –         –         –         –         –         –         –         5

CHAPTER TWO

2.0     LITERATURE REVIEW      

2.1     Azadirachta indica –         –         –         –         –         –         –         6

2.2     Origin of the plant –         –         –         –         –         –         –         8

2.3     Description of the plant   –         –         –         –         –         –         9

2.4     Taxonomy of the plant     –         –         –         –         –         –         10

2.5     Active compounds of Azadirachta indica      –         –         –         11

2.6     Antioxidant Activity        –         –         –         –         –         –         12

2.7     Anticancerous Activity    –         –         –         –         –         –         12

2.8     Effect of Neem as Anti-inflammatory –         –         –         –         13

2.9     Hepatoprotective Effect   –         –         –         –         –         –         14

2.10   Wound Healing Effect     –         –         –         –         –         –         15

2.11   Antidiabetic Activity       –         –         –         –         –         –         16

2.12   Antimicrobial Effect        –         –         –         –         –         –         16

2.12.1 Antibacterial Activity      –         –         –         –         –         –         17

2.12.2 Antiviral Activity            –         –         –         –         –         –         17

2.12.3 Antifungal Activity         –         –         –         –         –         –         17

2.12.4 Antimalaria Activity       –         –         –         –         –         –         18

2.13   Uses of Azadirachta indica        –         –         –         –         –         18

CHAPTER THREE

3.0     MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1     Sample Collection  –         –         –         –         –         –         –         19

3.2     Sample Preparation          –         –         –         –         –         –         19

3.3     Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Analysis –         –         –         19

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0     RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1     Results         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         21

4.2     Discussion   –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         22

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0     CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1     Conclusion  –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         25

5.2     Recommendations –         –         –         –         –         –         –         25

5.3     Suggestion for Further studies   –         –         –         –         –         26

References

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

The plant product or natural products show an important role in diseases prevention and treatment through the enhancement of antioxidant activity, inhibition of bacterial growth and modulation of genetic pathways. The therapeutics role of number of plants in diseases management is still being enthusiastically researched due to their less side effect and affordable properties. It has been accepted that drugs based on allopathy are expensive and also exhibit toxic effect on normal tissues and on various biological active drugs are derived from natural resources including medicinal plants (Zong et al., 2012). Various religious documents such as Bible and Quran also supported the herbs role in health care, and prevention. Islamic perspective also confirm the herbs role in diseases management and prophet Mohammed (PBUH) recommended various plant/fruits in the diseases cure (Al-Bukhari, 2016). Neem ingredients are applied in Ayurvedam Unami, Homeopathy and modern medicine for the treatment of many infectious, metabolic or cancer diseases.

Different types of preparation based on plants or their constituents are very popular in many countries in diseases management. In this vista, neem (Azadirachta indica), a member of the meliaceae family, commonly found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal has therapeutics implication in diseases cure and formulation based on the fact that neem is also used to treat various disease. Azadirachta indica has complex of various constituents including nimbin, nimbidin, nimbolide and limonoids and such types of ingredients play role in diseases management through modulation of various genetic pathways and other activities. Quercetin and B-sitosterol were first polyphenolic flavonoids purified from fresh leaves of neem and were known to have antifungal and antibacterial activities (Govindacharim 1998). Numerous biological and pharmacological activities have been reported including antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. Earlier investigators have confirmed their role as anti-inflammatory, antiarthriticm antipyretic, hypoglycemic, antigastic ulcer, antifungal, antibacterial, and antitumor activities and a review summarized the various therapeutics role if neem (Biswas et al., 2002). This review summarizes the roles of neem and its active ingredients in the diseases prevention and treatment through the modulation of various biological pathways.

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tree. The bark, leaves and seeds are used to make medicine. Less frequently, the root, flower and fruit are also used.

Neem leaf is used for leprosy, eye disorders, bleedy nose, intestinal worms, stomach upset, less of appetite, skin ulcers, diseases of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease), fever, diabetes, gum disease (gingivitis), and liver problems. The leaf is also used for birth control and to cause abortions.

The bark is used for malaria, stomach and intestinal ulcers, skin diseases, pain and fever. The flower is used for reducing bile, controlling phlegm, and treating intestinal worms. The fruit is used for hemorrhoids, intestinal worms urinary tract disorders, bloody nose, phlegm, eye disorders, diabetes, wounds and leprosy.

Neem wings are used for cough, asthma, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, low sperm levels, urinary disorders, and diabetes. People in the tropics sometimes chem twigs instead of using toothbrushes, but this can cause illness; neem twigs are often contaminated with fungi within 2 week of harvest and should be avoided.

The seed and seed oil are used for leprosy and intestinal worms. They are also used for birth control and to cause abortions. The stem root bark and fruit are used as a tonic and astringent. Some people apply neem directly to the skin to treat head lice, skin diseases, wounds and skin ulcers; as a mosquito repellent; and as a skin softener. Inside the virginal, neem is used for birth control. Neem is also used as an insecticide.

1.2     Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this research work is to characterize the ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR).

1.3     Scope and Limitation

This research work focuses on the characterization of ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica using Fourier Transform Infrared. Financial constraint, limited time and inadequate materials were the major limitation to the study.

1.4     Definition of Terms

Azadirachta indica: is a plant commonly known as Margosa, Neem, Nimtree or Indian lilac. It is a tree in the mahogany family meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta. It is native to the northeast of the Indian subcontinent and to Indochina, but is naturalized and grown around the world in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil.