A Review on Pharmacological Aspects of Arista

Arista (Azadirachta indica) is rapidly growing evergreen plant found commonly in India, Africa and America. Arista is the Sanskrit name of neem tree meaning “reliever of sickness’’ and hence is known as “sarbarogaribarini”. This contains many active chemicals viz., alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, steroids and ketones, biologically most active compound is azadirachtin. All parts of neem tree are commonly used in traditional Indian medicine for household remedy against various human diseases. This plant showed various medicinal activities such as antiallergic, antifungal, antibiotic, antidermatic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, larvicidal, antimalarial, and antiulcer. It also showed anti-cancerous and anti-HIV activity. Azadirachtin-A dose-dependently reduced hepatocellular necrosis in CCi4 imduced hepatotoxicity. The present paper enlightens the pharmacological profile of Arista vis-à-vis taxonomical status, chemical constituents and some major market formulations containing Arista as an important ingredient.