Neem and Bacterial Infections

[Guest guest]

Infectious Diseases and NeemBacterialPreliminary studies in laboratories have shown that there have beensignificant effects on several bacteria strains (Rao, 1969, 1986); (Chopra,1952, 1956, 1958); (Sankaram, 1986); (Rojanpo, 1985). Mahmoodin, one ofneem's many medicinal compounds, shows significant antibacterial activityagainst various gram-positive and gram-negative organisms (Seddiqui, 1992).The bacteria staphylococcus aureus that can cause peritonitis, cystitis andmeningitis is killed or rendered harmless by small doses of leaf extract(Schneider, 1986). The bacteria streptococcus pyogenes, cornebacterium andE. coli were affected by neem extracts (Thaker and Anjaria, 1986). Anotherbacteria, salmonella typhosa, that causes typhoid, food poisoning and bloodpoisoning, is similarly affected in other studies (Patel, 1962); (Chopra,1958) There has been no conclusive explanation for the actions againstthese bacteria, but research continues to seek the active compounds and modeof action (Rojanpo, 1985).