Neem Tree for Cancer Prevention: Scientific Evidence

The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has a long history of medicinal use in traditional systems such as Ayurveda, primarily for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties. In recent decades, neem and its constituents—such as nimbolide, gedunin, and azadirachtin—have been investigated in laboratory and animal studies for their potential anticancer effects.

Scientific research indicates that neem extracts can inhibit the proliferation of various cancer cell lines, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in tumor cells, and modulate immune responses. For example, some preclinical studies show that neem compounds can suppress pathways involved in cancer cell survival and metastasis, including NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signaling. Neem has also demonstrated chemopreventive effects in animal models, reducing the incidence or growth of chemically-induced tumors.

However, most of the evidence to date is limited to in vitro (test tube) and animal studies; there is a lack of large, well-designed clinical trials in humans. The safety, effective dosage, and long-term effects of neem for cancer prevention remain unclear. Thus, while preliminary scientific data support the biological plausibility of neem’s anticancer effects, the overall quality and quantity of evidence is low (rated 2 out of 5), and neem should not be relied on as a standalone preventive or therapeutic agent for cancer outside of clinical research settings.