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Azadirachta indica

Neem

Research reviewed: 2022-2025

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a dietary supplement with 15 published peer-reviewed studies involving 135 participants, researched for Antimicrobial & Oral Health, Anti-inflammatory & Metabolic, Immune Support and 2 more areas.

15
Studies
135
Participants
2004–2025
Research Span

Evidence at a Glance

Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes

Overall: Moderate Evidence

Antimicrobial & Oral Health

Moderate
3 studies 2 of 3 positive 120 participants 2 human

Anti-inflammatory & Metabolic

Moderate
7 studies 3 of 7 positive 186 participants 4 human

Immune Support

Moderate
3 studies 0 of 3 positive 36 participants

Pain Relief

Moderate
1 study 0 of 1 positive 0 participants

Anti-Inflammatory

Moderate
1 study 0 of 1 positive 99 participants

Research Visualised

Visual breakdown of the clinical data.

Study Quality Breakdown

What types of studies were conducted

0/15
Randomised
0/15
Double-Blind
0/15
Placebo-Controlled

Participants Per Study

Larger samples = more reliable results

Study 1 (2011)
75
Study 2 (2014)
45
Study 3 (2022)
0
Study 4 (2004)
40
Study 5 (2016)
50
Study 6 (2007)
0
Study 7 (2022)
36
Study 8 (2016)
0

Research Timeline

When the studies were published

1
2004
1
2007
1
2011
1
2014
1
2015
2
2016
4
2022
1
2023
3
2025

All Studies

Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.

Antimicrobial & Oral Health

1

Neem twigs vs toothbrush for dental plaque and gingival health

2011 75 participants 6 weeks Neem twig chewing (natural preparation)
Human Study Positive

Study Type

Clinical trial

Purpose

Neem twigs vs toothbrush for dental plaque and gingival health

Dose

Neem twig chewing (natural preparation)

Participants

75 dental patients

Duration

6 weeks

Results

Comparable reductions in plaque and gingival inflammation to conventional toothbrushing. Both approaches significantly improved oral hygiene markers from baseline.

How They Measured It

Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing

Read full study
2

Neem mouthwash for oral health vs chlorhexidine

2014 45 participants 3 weeks Neem extract mouthwash 10mL twice daily
Human Study Positive

Study Type

RCT

Purpose

Neem mouthwash for oral health vs chlorhexidine

Dose

Neem extract mouthwash 10mL twice daily

Participants

45 gingivitis adults

Duration

3 weeks

Results

Significantly reduced plaque and gingivitis scores comparable to chlorhexidine. Neem group had fewer adverse effects (staining, altered taste). Natural alternative confirmed.

How They Measured It

Plaque index, gingival index, bacterial colony counts

Read full study
3

Antimicrobial potential of Neem against various pathogens

2022 ? participants Various Various Neem preparations (leaves, bark, seed oil)
Review/Other Mixed

Study Type

Antimicrobial potential review

Purpose

Antimicrobial potential of Neem against various pathogens

Dose

Various Neem preparations (leaves, bark, seed oil)

Participants

Review

Duration

Various

Results

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria (including MRSA), fungi (Candida), and viruses. Azadirachtin, nimbin, and nimbidin are primary antimicrobial compounds.

How They Measured It

Review of in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial studies

Read full study

Anti-inflammatory & Metabolic

4

Neem bark extract on gastric secretion and gastroduodenal ulcer

2004 40 participants 10 weeks 30-60mg neem bark extract daily
Human Study Positive

Study Type

Clinical study

Purpose

Neem bark extract on gastric secretion and gastroduodenal ulcer

Dose

30-60mg neem bark extract daily

Participants

40 gastroduodenal ulcer patients

Duration

10 weeks

Results

Significantly reduced gastric acid secretion and facilitated ulcer healing. Anti-ulcer effects via COX-2 inhibition and cytoprotective mechanisms.

How They Measured It

Gastric acid output, ulcer healing score, endoscopy

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5

Antidiabetic potential of Neem leaf extract in type 2 diabetics as add-on

2016 50 participants 12 weeks 500mg leaf extract twice daily
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

Antidiabetic clinical study

Purpose

Antidiabetic potential of Neem leaf extract in type 2 diabetics as add-on

Dose

500mg leaf extract twice daily

Participants

50 type 2 diabetic patients

Duration

12 weeks

Results

Reduced HbA1c and fasting glucose as add-on therapy. Insulin sensitising mechanism via AMP-kinase activation proposed. Well tolerated.

How They Measured It

FBS, HbA1c, insulin sensitivity markers

Read full study
6

Anti-inflammatory activity of Azadirachta indica extract

2007 ? participants Acute and chronic 200-400mg/kg extract
Review/Other Positive

Study Type

Anti-inflammatory study

Purpose

Anti-inflammatory activity of Azadirachta indica extract

Dose

200-400mg/kg extract

Participants

Animal inflammation models

Duration

Acute and chronic

Results

Significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity via COX and LOX inhibition with antioxidant synergy.

How They Measured It

Carrageenan paw oedema, chronic adjuvant arthritis, prostaglandin inhibition

Read full study
7

Neem seed oil for skin conditions including eczema and acne

2022 36 participants 8 weeks Topical Neem seed oil (2%)
Human Study Positive

Study Type

Skin health study

Purpose

Neem seed oil for skin conditions including eczema and acne

Dose

Topical Neem seed oil (2%)

Participants

36 eczema/acne patients

Duration

8 weeks

Results

Significantly reduced eczema scores, sebum production, and acne-associated bacteria. Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial dual action confirmed.

How They Measured It

EASI score, sebum production, microbial assessment

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8

Therapeutic roles of Neem in disease prevention and treatment

2016 ? participants Various Various
Review/Other Mixed

Study Type

Comprehensive pharmacological review

Purpose

Therapeutic roles of Neem in disease prevention and treatment

Dose

Various

Participants

Review

Duration

Various

Results

Antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic activities. Nimbolide, azadirachtin, gedunin, and nimbin primary bioactives.

How They Measured It

Literature review

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9

Neem extract gel for oral candidiasis treatment

2015 60 participants 3 weeks Neem extract gel applied topically
Human Study Positive

Study Type

Antifungal clinical study

Purpose

Neem extract gel for oral candidiasis treatment

Dose

Neem extract gel applied topically

Participants

60 oral candidiasis patients

Duration

3 weeks

Results

Cure rates comparable to clotrimazole. Candida colony counts significantly reduced. Good tolerability profile.

How They Measured It

Fungal colony counts, symptom scores, clinical cure rates

Read full study
10

Potential of Neem as natural active in skin and cosmetic products

2022 ? participants Various Various topical formulations
Review/Other Mixed

Study Type

Dermocosmetic review

Purpose

Potential of Neem as natural active in skin and cosmetic products

Dose

Various topical formulations

Participants

Review

Duration

Various

Results

Azadirachtin, nimbidin, quercetin and polyphenols demonstrate melanogenesis-inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-aging effects on skin.

How They Measured It

Review of clinical and in vitro studies on skin applications

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Immune Support

11

Efficacy of Herbal Fluoride Toothpaste in Preventing Early Childhood Caries.

2025 ? participants 6 months See study
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

RCT

Purpose

Efficacy of Herbal Fluoride Toothpaste in Preventing Early Childhood Caries.

Dose

See study

Participants

Not specified

Duration

6 months

Results

CONCLUSION: Herbal fluoride toothpaste demonstrated greater efficacy in preventing ECC than conventional fluoride toothpaste, suggesting its potential as a safe and effective alternative in pediatri.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 41522918. J Pharm Bioallied Sci

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12

Comparative evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of sequential herbal irrigation with conventional irrigation in endodontic therapy of primary teeth:

2025 15 participants Not specified See study
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

RCT

Purpose

Comparative evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of sequential herbal irrigation with conventional irrigation in endodontic therapy of primary teeth:

Dose

See study

Participants

15 participants

Duration

Not specified

Results

CONCLUSIONS: The sequential herbal irrigation protocol showed comparable antimicrobial efficacy to conventional agents, with added benefits of safety, biocompatibility, and reduced cytotoxicity, mak.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 41026567. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent

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13

Clinical and microbiological evaluation of dental plaque on topical application of olive oil, olive oil with 35% Curcuma zedoaria, and olive oil with

2025 21 participants Not specified See study
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

RCT

Purpose

Clinical and microbiological evaluation of dental plaque on topical application of olive oil, olive oil with 35% Curcuma zedoaria, and olive oil with

Dose

See study

Participants

21 participants

Duration

Not specified

Results

CONCLUSION: EVOO + 35% CZ showed the best treatment outcome in the reduction of microbial count followed by EVOO + 30% AI and EVOO.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 40586465. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent

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Pain Relief

14

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Various Herbal Products Used with Zinc Oxide as an Obturating Material in Primary Teeth: An In Vivo Study.

2023 ? participants 9 months See study
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

Clinical Trial

Purpose

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Various Herbal Products Used with Zinc Oxide as an Obturating Material in Primary Teeth: An In Vivo Study.

Dose

See study

Participants

Not specified

Duration

9 months

Results

CONCLUSION: Zinc oxide eugenol has proven to be the best obturating material.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 38152944. J Contemp Dent Pract

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Anti-Inflammatory

15

Hypericum and neem oil for dehisced post-surgical wounds: a randomised, controlled, single-blinded phase III study.

2022 99 participants Not specified See study
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

RCT

Purpose

Hypericum and neem oil for dehisced post-surgical wounds: a randomised, controlled, single-blinded phase III study.

Dose

See study

Participants

99 participants

Duration

Not specified

Results

CONCLUSION: This randomised controlled trial confirmed the efficacy of 1PWD, an investigational product, in the management of surgical dehiscence with critical colonisation or infection, with the ad.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 35678785. J Wound Care

Read full study

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Neem research

What does the research say about Neem?

There are currently 15 peer-reviewed studies on Neem (Azadirachta indica), involving 135 total participants. Research covers Antimicrobial & antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Dental & oral health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.

How strong is the evidence for Neem?

The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (11 human studies), and reported outcomes.

What health goals has Neem been studied for?

Neem has been researched for: Antimicrobial & antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Dental & oral health, Skin health & antifungal. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.

Are the studies on Neem based on human trials?

Yes, 11 out of 15 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.