IAzadirachta indica/I as a Potential Natural Active for Dermocosmetic and Topical Products: A Narrative Review

• Published in: Cosmetics (Basel) Vol. 9; no. 3
• Main Authors: Baby, André Rolim, Freire, Thamires Batello, Marques, Gabriela de Argollo, Rijo, Patricia, Lima, Fabiana Vieira, Carvalho, João Carlos Monteiro de, Rojas, John, Magalhães, Wagner Vidal, Velasco, Maria Valéria Robles, Morocho-Jácome, Ana Lucía
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01.06.2022
• Subjects: Analysis; Care and treatment; Composition; Extraction (Chemistry); Margosa; Materia medica, Vegetable; Methods; Plant extracts; Properties; Skin diseases; India
• ISSN: 2079-9284; 2079-9284
• DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics9030058

Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a large tree that is native to India and is traditionally used due to its several properties, mainly to treat skin diseases, as well as its “herbicidal” activity. Its bark, leaves, seeds, fruits and flowers are widely used in medicinal treatment due to the presence of active secondary metabolites with biological effects, mainly limonoids and tetranortriterpenoids, such as azadirachtin. Thus, A. indica was studied in a variety of conditions, such as anticancer, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive agents, as well as a biopesticide. Furthermore, differentiated cell tissue in A. indica cultivation was reported to produce active metabolites for different purposes. However, only a few studies have been developed regarding its potential use in cosmetics. For instance, most studies explained the antimicrobial properties in health conditions, such as acne, dandruff and personal health care. Here, we summarized not only the most common cosmetic claims to treat acne but also mitigating other skin disorders related to inflammatory and oxidant processes in recent in vivo studies and patents to aid researchers and industrialists to select A. indica derivatives as novel cosmetic ingredients.