nimbolide

Nimbolide is a bioactive, highly oxidized, tetranortriterpenoid limonoid compound derived primarily from the leaves and flowers of the neem tree (*Azadirachta indica*)[1][2][4][6]. It possesses **anti-inflammatory**, **antioxidant**, **anticancer**, **antimicrobial**, and **antimalarial** effects in experimental settings[1][3][5]. Nimbolide acts by **modulating multiple molecular and signaling pathways**, such as Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), Wnt-β/catenin, NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, TGF-β, STAT3, Notch-1, PTEN/PI3K/AKT, ERK 1/2, LXRα, and PPARγ. It inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6), nitrosative-oxidative stress, and downstream effectors such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins. Mechanistically, it demonstrates potent cytotoxicity in cancer models through induction of apoptosis, inhibition of metastasis and angiogenesis, anti-proliferative effects, modulation of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes, and epigenetic modulation (e.g., histone deacetylase inhibition)[1][3][4]. Nimbolide is currently in preclinical development and has not advanced to clinical trials[3].

Other names

nimbolide