EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICIA) LEAVES ON PLANT DEVELOPMENT AND LIVER ENZYMES IN RATS.

Background: Herbicides have been used widely and intensively in agricultural areas around the globe to enhance crop yield. However, many biocides are causing serious environmental problems and may possess critical risks on treated agricultural crops. Materials and Methods: The study was designed to investigate the effects of biocides (azadirachta) treatment at different concentrations (0, 5, and 10) on few chemical constituents in plant leaves. Furthermore, the study also illustrated the extent to which an organic fertilizer could enhance deleterious impact of azadirachta indicia on plant growth. Lastly, in this study, lab experiments were performed on rats to examine influence of leaf on their liver function.The results were determined by one way Anova analysis of variance . Results: This study exhibits that low and high of Azadirachtin produced significant increase in total and soluble sugar content, compared with normal and fertilizer treated groups. Synchronized treatment of fertilizer with Azadirachtin in low and high dose showed significant increase in total and soluble content in contrast to normal and fertilizer groups. However, there is an exception of significant decrease in total sugar with high dose of Azadirachtin. Proline contents significantly increased in fertilizer treated group, while contents decrease significantly in other treated groups compared with normal and fertilizer. Chlorophyll A and chlorophyll B significantly increased in fertilizer treated groups. Low and high dose of Azadirachtin induced significant decrease in chlorophyll A and chlorophyll B content when compared with fertilizer treated group. High dose of Azadirachtin and low dose with fertilizer treated groups induced significant decrease in carotein content. Rats in all treated groups were observed with significant level of increase in AST activity with high dose of Azadirachtin group. LDH activity increased significantly in high dose of Azadirachtin . Total protein level, significant decrease was recorded in low dose of Azadirachtin group . Significant increase was observed in high dose of Azadirachtin alone, and in both high and low doses with fertilizer groups Conclusions: The study argued that biocides have their impacts on plant leaves. Hence, it is necessary to stay aware of chemical types applied on crops. Awareness should not limit to environmental contamination and toxicity, but their effects on crops should also be considered to obtain good quality of agricultural products for healthy consumption. The current investigation adequately proves that azadirachta indicia leaves are an effective heptaprotective agent at low dose. - See more at: