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Schwabe News Volume 4 | Issue 7 | July 2013

Topi® Azadirachta Cream

Introduction

Azadirachta indica is the scientific name of neem. It is an evergreen tree, found throughout in India. It has been traditionally used in Indian system of medicine for many centuries.¹ Traditional Indian literatures have strong clinical observations and recommend for many skin diseases like boils, ulcers, eczema & scabies.² Charak recommends external application. It is used internally as well. It is an infallible drug in ulcer, with or without sinus, for the purpose of healing. It is useful in the early stage of any boil.³

It is a homoeopathically proved drug. It was first introduced and proved by Dr. P. C. Majumdar and by one of his pupils U. C. Bagchi.⁴ Its recent proving by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Government of India, has confirmed the older symptoms with additions of a few new symptoms.⁵ It is covered by Homoeopathic pharmacopoeia of India.⁶ The findings are supported by earlier reports by different authors like E. P. Anshutz, W. Boericke, J. H. Clarke, O. A. Julian and others. It is homoeopathically known for itching, dull and mild afternoon fevers, burning eyes, forgetfulness and rheumatic pains in different parts of the body.^{2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10}

The drug attracted much attention after 50% alcoholic extract was reported to possess anti-cancer, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Pharmacologists term it as bitter tonic, astringent, antiperiodic and anthelmintic for children (round worms) when used orally.¹¹

Scientific researches rated high on the drug as anti-protozoa which was due to margosates, an alkaloid present in the drug.  A solution of 1:10,000 killed flagellate Prowazekia in 5 minutes. Neem oil was found to contain sulphur containing active constituents. Later antibacterial activities were also established.¹² Recent researches have suggested its use in eczema, syphilis, wound healing, ringworm, alopecia, urticaria, scabies, ticks and lice.¹³

Topi® Azadirachta cream contains 10% of the mother tincture made from the fresh bark in alcohol strength 60% which contains all the ingredients responsible for its efficacy on skin diseases.

Indication: Skin diseases like boils, ulcers, itching, eczema, scabies, burning, leprosy, pigmentation abnormalities.

Directions for use

Dosage: Unless otherwise prescribed, Topi® Azadirachta should be applied as follows:

It is a soft cream and should be used 2 – 3 times daily by applying a thin layer on the affected skin areas with gentle rubbing. It can be used simultaneously with oral medicine Azadirachta indica 1x or other indicated medicine.

Side effects: No known side effects.

Contra-indications: The cream should not be used for patients with known hypersensitivity to Azadirachta indica.

Interactions: No interactions between Topi® Azadirachta and other products are known.

Presentation: 25 g in tubes.

Reference:

1. Posey D. A., Dutfield G., and Plenderleith K., Collaborative Research and Intellectual Property  Rights. “Biodiversity and Conservation. 4, 892-902, 1995.
2. K. M. Nadkarni, Indian Materia Medica, Edited by A. K. Nandkarni, Volume 1, Bombay Popular Prakashan, Mumbai – 34.
3. Banerjee P. Materia Medica of Indian Drugs, 4th edition, 1992, Shiva & Co., Howrah, West Bengal.
4. S. C. Ghose, Drugs of Hindoosthan, With their Homoeopathic Uses, Provings and Clinical Verifications, Ninth Edition, Reprint Dec. 1998, Hahnemann Publishing Company Pvt.ltd, 165 Bipin Behary Ganguly Street, Calcutta-700 012
5. Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Homoeopathic Drug Provings, 61-65, Institutional Area, Opp. ‘D’ Block, Jankpuri, New Delhi, First Edition, 2005
6. Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India, Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
7. E. P. Anshutz, New, Old and Forgotten Remedies, 2nd Edition, RadarOpus 1.33, Archibel S.A. Rue Fontaine St. Pierre 1E, Zoning Industriel de la Fagne, 5330 Assesse, Belgium.
8. W. Boericke, New Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory [with Relationship of Remedies], Second Re-Augmented & Revised Edition Based on Ninth Edition, Reprint Edition 2002, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.
9. J. H. Clarcke, Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Reprint Edition 1992, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.
10. O. A. Julian, Materia Medica of New Homoeopathic Remedies, RadarOpus 1.33, Archibel S.A. Rue Fontaine St. Pierre 1E, Zoning Industriel de la Fagne, 5330 Assesse, Belgium.
11. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, C.S.I.R., Publication and Information Directorate, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1992.
12. R. N. Chopra, I.C. Chopra, Chopra’s Indigenous Drugs Of India, Academic Publishers, 2006
13. Kausik Biswas, Ishita Chattopadhyay, Ranajit K. Banerjee and Uday Bandyopadhyay, Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica), Current Science, Vol. 82, No. 11, 10 June 2002