Despite discovering that some websites
advertise Neem capsules for MRSA infections,
literature search revealed that no clinical trials
have yet been done on the efficacy of such
claims. On the other hand, a few in vitro
studies were identified which tested the
activity of Neem leaf extract on Staphylococcus
aureus. In the Philippines, 2 studies have been
conducted—1 published and 1 unpublished,
both with promising results—which showed
inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus with the
ethanol extract of Neem.1,2 However, no
comparison to an antibiotic was made.
Internationally, other in vitro studies were
found which compared the effects of Neem
extract with gentamicin, tetracycline,1 and
cefepime.1 Common to all these trials was the
finding that ethanol or methanol extracts were
most effective, with aqueous extracts showing
no anti-staphylococcal activity. Data from
these studies show zone of inhibition to be 18
to 19 mm. Other data assert that the minimum
inhibitory concentration was 5% solution