Article: THERAPEUTIC ROLE OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA) LEAVES PHYTOCONSTITUENTS IN ORAL LICHEN PLANUS: A MINI REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.1104114

Pages: 188-192

Author: Ashita R Kalaskar *, Rahul R Bhowate, Ritesh R Kalaskar, Sumeet Ghonmode

Abstract: Nature has in its store a host of constituents which have enormous beneficial effects on health. One such nature’s drug is Azadirachta indica, commonly called as Neem tree. Considered as a cynosure of medicine, Neem has been used in different pathies. In dentistry too it has been used in periodontal diseases and as root canal irrigating material. Of all the various parts of Neem tree, Neem leaves possess various constituents whose properties could be beneficial for chronic ulcerations in oral cavity like oral lichen planus. Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory pre-malignant condition in which patient experiences severe burning pain. Steroids are the standard therapy provided but at the cost of their side effects. Therefore an alternative, safe and natural medicine like Neem should be considered. This paper provides a literature review explaining the role of various phytoconstituents in Neem leaves that could have a beneficial role in oral lichen planus.

Keyword: Azadirachta indica, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, Neem tree, oral lichen planus, phytoconstituents.