Inhibitory potential of neem (Azadirachta indica Juss) leaves on Dengue virus type-2 replication

In the present study we report in vitro and in vivo inhibitory potential of crude aqueous extract of neem leaves and pure neem compound (Azadirachtin) on the replication of Dengue virus type-2. In vitro antiviral activity of aqueous neem leaves extract assessed in C-6:36 (cloned cells of larvae of Aedes albopictus) cells employing virus inhibition assay showed inhibition in dose dependent manner. The aqueous extract of neem leaves at its maximum non-toxic concentration of 1.897 mg/ml completely inhibited 100-10,000 TCID50 of virus as indicated by the absence of cytopathic effects. The in vivo protection studies with neem leaves extract at its maximum non-toxic concentrations 120-30 mg/ml resulted in inhibition of the virus replication as confirmed by the absence of Dengue related clinical symptoms in suckling mice and absence of virus specific 511 bp amplicon in RT-PCR. The pure neem i.e. Azadirachtin did not reveal any inhibition on Dengue virus type-2 replication in both in vitro and in vivo systems. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.