Azadirachta indica A. juss.
In India, A. indica leaves, fruits, seeds, bark, and root extracts were used against
different types of diseases in Ayurveda over two millennia such as diabetic mellitus,
high blood pressure, fever, cold respiratory conditions, and cosmetics. Especially,
oils extracted from seeds and fruits have been used for traditional medicine against
redness, inflammation of the skin and acne. These results indicate that A. indica
leaves extract contains nimbinin and Azadirachtin phytochemicals, which are useful
for antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities. Neem oil contains oleic acid, palmitic
acid, linoleic acid, and stearic acid phytochemicals. Hence, it could be used in
synthesis of different cosmetics like nail polishes, toothpastes, shampoos, soaps,
and balms (Djibril et al. 2015; Galeane et al. 2017; Hashmat et al. 2012;
Mak-Mensah and Firempong 2011).
Table 19.3 Plants and its main parts used for preparation of cosmetics and cosmeceuticals and its
presumed active chemical constituents
Plant Scientific
name
Main plant part’s
used
Active chemical constituent
A. vera L.
Gel from fresh
leaves
Polysaccharides
A. indica, A. Juss
Fresh leaves and
seed
Limonoids
B. excelsa
Fresh leaves
Glycosides, saponins
C. guianensis
Seeds
Limonoids, fatty acids
C. nucifera L
Fruits and seed
Phenolic compounds, vitamin E, terpenes,
saponins
C. guyanensis
Trunk
Terpenes
C. sativus L.
Fruits
Water, antioxidants
C. citratus
Leaves
Essential oils
E. prostata L.
Leaves
Coumestans, glycosides, amyrins
E. oleracea Mart
Fruits, seeds
Anthocyanins
H. sabdariffa L.
Fresh calyces
Anthocyanins, vitamin E, flavonoids
L. aestuans L.
Leaves
Essential oils
L. nepetifolia L.
Leaves
Flavonoids, terpenes, essential oils, coumarins
M. maripa
Seeds
Vitamins A and E, fatty acids
M. citrifolia L.
Fruits and seeds
Flavonoids, fatty acids
M. olifeira
Leaves
Ben oil
Orchid spp.
Seed
Essential oils
P.boinicus
Leaves
Essential oils
S. alata L.
Leaves
Phenolic compounds, essential oils
T. indica L.
Leaves and seeds
Polyphenols, flavonoids, xyloglucan, fatty
acids
652
N. R. Desam and A. J. Al-Rajab
In India, A. indica leaves, fruits, seeds, bark, and root extracts were used against
different types of diseases in Ayurveda over two millennia such as diabetic mellitus,
high blood pressure, fever, cold respiratory conditions, and cosmetics. Especially,
oils extracted from seeds and fruits have been used for traditional medicine against
redness, inflammation of the skin and acne. These results indicate that A. indica
leaves extract contains nimbinin and Azadirachtin phytochemicals, which are useful
for antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities. Neem oil contains oleic acid, palmitic
acid, linoleic acid, and stearic acid phytochemicals. Hence, it could be used in
synthesis of different cosmetics like nail polishes, toothpastes, shampoos, soaps,
and balms (Djibril et al. 2015; Galeane et al. 2017; Hashmat et al. 2012;
Mak-Mensah and Firempong 2011).
Table 19.3 Plants and its main parts used for preparation of cosmetics and cosmeceuticals and its
presumed active chemical constituents
Plant Scientific
name
Main plant part’s
used
Active chemical constituent
A. vera L.
Gel from fresh
leaves
Polysaccharides
A. indica, A. Juss
Fresh leaves and
seed
Limonoids
B. excelsa
Fresh leaves
Glycosides, saponins
C. guianensis
Seeds
Limonoids, fatty acids
C. nucifera L
Fruits and seed
Phenolic compounds, vitamin E, terpenes,
saponins
C. guyanensis
Trunk
Terpenes
C. sativus L.
Fruits
Water, antioxidants
C. citratus
Leaves
Essential oils
E. prostata L.
Leaves
Coumestans, glycosides, amyrins
E. oleracea Mart
Fruits, seeds
Anthocyanins
H. sabdariffa L.
Fresh calyces
Anthocyanins, vitamin E, flavonoids
L. aestuans L.
Leaves
Essential oils
L. nepetifolia L.
Leaves
Flavonoids, terpenes, essential oils, coumarins
M. maripa
Seeds
Vitamins A and E, fatty acids
M. citrifolia L.
Fruits and seeds
Flavonoids, fatty acids
M. olifeira
Leaves
Ben oil
Orchid spp.
Seed
Essential oils
P.boinicus
Leaves
Essential oils
S. alata L.
Leaves
Phenolic compounds, essential oils
T. indica L.
Leaves and seeds
Polyphenols, flavonoids, xyloglucan, fatty
acids
652
N. R. Desam and A. J. Al-Rajab