[Experimental study of the effect of raw materials of the neem tree and neem extracts on dermatophytes, yeasts and molds].

In traditional Indian medicine, various parts of the neem tree have been used for centuries, especially with skin diseases. These products are often applied in human mycoses. We tested some dried neem materials, neem oils as well as simple neem preparations and extracts with regard to their effect on 14 of the most common pathogenic fungi. Neither the dried neem materials nor the medical preparations and oils had any effect on fungal growth; most of them were even contaminated with molds. Some of the extracts, however, showed antimycotic properties, which decreased with rising solvent polarity. Petrolether leaf extract proved most effective. One of the possible explanations might be the fact that it contains quercetin, a flavonoid.