Academic literature on the topic 'Shilajit benefits'

Background: Shilajit (mumie), a natural multi-component herbomineral ethnomedicinal food, is used as a traditional medicine for enhancing the quality of life and for management of health ailments in many countries of the world. Use of Shilajit as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, rejuvenator and anti-aging substance is mentioned in many ancient texts. This review aims to provide comprehensive insights into its biochemical aspects, microbial role in biosynthesis, bioactivities and to establish correlation between traditional uses and scientifically validated research findings. Methods: Scientific literature and ethnopharmacological information were compiled from the published peer-reviewed articles, unpublished materials, thesis, books, patent databases, clinical trial registries and from the websites of research councils of traditional medicine. The scientific databases, thesis repositories and books databases were searched with keywords Shilajit, mumie, mumijo, salajeet, asphaltum, fulvic acid, dibenzo-alpha-pyrones etc. Results: Scientifically validated research and ancient texts suggest multifaceted benefits of Shilajit. It is endowed with anti-stress, memory and energy enhancing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, spermatogenic, neuroprotective, antiulcer and wound healing activities. These pharmacological effects are mainly attributed to the presence of humic acid, fulvic acid, dibenzo-α-pyrones, dibenzo- α-pyrones chromoproteins and trace elements. Conclusion: This review summarizes the traditional importance of Shilajit for the treatment and prevention of several acute and chronic diseases and health ailments. Despite numerous health claims, there are still major gaps in our understanding of its mechanism of action, variability in efficacy and toxicity profile. Therefore, a coordinated interdisciplinary approach is needed to establish the underlying mechanisms of action, comprehensive toxicological profile, pharmacokinetics parameters and effects on different organ systems. Regulatory and governmental impetus to basic and clinical research, safety testing and formulations quality control is warranted.

Shilajitis a natural substance found mainly in the Himalayas, formed for centuries by the gradual decomposition of certain plants by the action of microorganisms. It is a potent and very safe dietary supplement, restoring the energetic balance and potentially able to prevent several diseases. Recent investigations point to an interesting medical application toward the control of cognitive disorders associated with aging, and cognitive stimulation. Thus, fulvic acid, the main active principle, blocks tau self-aggregation, opening an avenue toward the study of Alzheimer's therapy. In essence, this is a nutraceutical product of demonstrated benefits for human health. Considering the expected impact ofshilajitusage in the medical field, especially in the neurological sciences, more investigations at the basic biological level as well as clinical trials are necessary, in order to understand how organic molecules ofshilajitand particularly fulvic acid, one of the active principles, and oligoelements act at both the molecular and cellular levels and in the whole organism.

Objective: This study uses adult zebrafish as a model organism to explore the possible cognitive-boosting properties of shilajit, a traditional Ayurvedic herbal resin. Shilajit is known for its potential cognitive benefits, and the study focuses on its impact on memory and cognitive function. Methods: The study employs a T-maze apparatus to assess cognitive performance in zebrafish, particularly memory, and uses hyoscine, a memory-deficit-inducing compound, in the experiments. Various doses of shilajit (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 mg/ml) were administered to zebrafish via water immersion, and lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione were checked to measure oxidative stress. Results: The results reveal that shilajit positively affects memory in zebrafish with hyoscineinduced amnesia. Zebrafish treated with shilajit exhibited improved memory performance, as indicated by increased entries into the reward arm (yellow) (p<0.05) and reduced latency time (p<0.0001). Different doses of shilajit demonstrated varying effects, with higher doses leading to more pronounced memory improvements. Furthermore, the study examined biochemical parameters in the zebrafish brains, with a specific focus on markers of oxidative stress. Shilajit treatment was associated with a decrease in lipid peroxidation and an increase in reduced glutathione levels, signalling a reduction in oxidative stress (p<0.0001). Discussion: Finally, these findings suggest that shilajit not only alleviates memory deficits in the zebrafish model but also possesses potential antioxidative properties in lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the brain. Conclusion: Our result suggests that shilajit counteracted the damage caused to cholinergic neurons in zebrafish brains by reducing ROS levels and improving learning and memory.

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic medical condition, has attained a global pandemic status over the last few decades affecting millions of people. Despite a variety of synthetic drugs available in the market, the use of herbal medicines for managing diabetes is gaining importance because of being comparatively safer. This article reviews the result of a substantial literature search on polyherbal formulations (PHFs) developed and evaluated with potential for DM. The accumulated data in the literature allowed us to enlist 83PHFs consisting of different parts of 147 plant species belonging to 58 botanical families. The documented plant species are laden with bioactive components with anti-diabetic properties and thus draw attention. The most favoured ingredient for PHFs was leaves of Gymnema sylvestre and seeds of Trigonellafoenum-graecum used in 29 and 27 formulations, respectively. Apart from herbs, shilajit (exudates from high mountain rocks) formed an important component of 9 PHFs, whereas calcined Mytilus margaritiferus and goat pancreas were used in Dolabi, the most commonly used tablet form of PHF in Indian markets. The healing properties of PHFs against diabetes have been examined in both pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. However, the mechanism(s) of action of PHFs are still unclear and considered the pitfalls inherent in understanding the benefits of PHFs. From the information available based on experimental systems, it could be concluded that plant-derived medicines will have a considerable role to play in the control of diabetes provided the challenges related to their bioavailability, bioefficacy, optimal dose, lack of characterization, ambiguous mechanism of action, and clinical efficiency are addressed.