Neophytadiene: Biological activities and drug development prospects

Abstract

Background: Neophytadiene (NPT) [C₂₀H₃₈] or 7, 11, 15-Trimethyl-3-methylenehexadec-1-ene is a diterpene found in the important oil of various plants, including neem (Azadirachta indica). It possesses inhibitory properties against a range of enzymes. The prospective uses of neophytadiene in cosmetics, medicine, and agriculture have attracted much interest. Numerous pharmaceutical applications have been demonstrated, such as analgesic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-malarial, insecticidal, and neuroprotective properties. The extraction, purification, and biological uses of neophytadiene have received special attention. Drugs based on phytocompounds are being developed to create affordable treatments with minimal side effects and a wide range of therapeutic uses.

Purpose: An overview of the function of neophytadiene is given in this article, along with information on its biological application, pharmacological significance, clinical uses, and its safety concerns.

Methods: A systematic literature review has been conducted using the PRISMA flow technique. Data for the literature survey was gathered online from various journals, computational databases, and search engines like Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar until March 2025.

Results: The biological efficiency of neophytadiene was affirmed using several in vitro and animal model approaches. The efficacy, therapeutic utility and mechanism of neophytadiene against a range of disorders have all been attempted to be assessed. Neophytadiene plays an important role in the anti-inflammation pathway by TLR4 activation and neuroprotective role by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Notably, neophytadiene has shown efficacy against a wide range of organisms, including the malaria parasites. This molecule has multiple uses that can help reduce the severity of certain diseases. It also has the potential to be used as a pharmaceutical ingredient. To maximize its advantages, future research will examine the combined effects of neophytadiene with those of other medications and naturally occurring substances. The acceptance of these phytocompounds as potential medications is clarified by elaborating on their pharmacological safety dosages and various stages of clinical testing.

Conclusion: According to the reviewed studies, neophytadiene can be used as a medication candidate for treating diseases. However, these agents are used in therapeutic settings, so more clinical and experimental research is required in the future.

Keywords: Anti-inflammation; Diterpene; Ethnopharmacology; Neophytadiene; Phytocompounds.