(PDF) Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Arthritic Efficacy and Safety of Purified Shilajit in Moderately Arthritic Dogs

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Shilajit

Chapters Page No

1. History 3

2. What is Shilajit? 10

3. Studies done on Shilajit 20

4. Shilajit and Health 46

5. Shilajit preparations 77

6. FAQs 82

7. Glossary 93

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8. Resource guide 100

Chapter 1: History

Shilajit is a pale-brown to blackish-brown exudation, of variable

consistency, exuding from layers of rocks in many mountain ranges of the world,

especially the Himalayas and Hindukush ranges of the Indian subcontinent1. It

usually flows during the summer when the mountains get warm2. It has been

found to consist of a complex mixture of organic humic substances and plant and

microbial metabolites occurring in the rock rhizospheres of its natural habitat1.

Shilajit has been used as a rejuvenator and an adaptogen for thousands

of years, in one form or another, as part of traditional systems of medicine in a

number of countries. Many therapeutic properties have been ascribed to it, a

number of which have been verified by modern scientific evaluation. Shilajit has

been attributed with many miraculous healing properties.

Shilajit or Silajatu or Shilajatu as it is called in the Indian system of

medicine has been known for its healing properties centuries ago. There is some

indication that shilajit may have been the priceless “soma” of the Eastern

alchemists. Soma was considered the elixir of immortality, the secret substance

used by alchemists to perfect both body and mind. Health care providers

compare this with ginseng of the Chinese medicine and many even call this as

‘Indian Ginseng’. Shilajit is a Sanskrit term. Its equivalent in English is Mineral

Pitch. The botanical name of Shilajit is Asphaltum.

Reference

3

1.Suraj P. Agarwal, Rajesh Khanna, Ritesh Karmarkar, Md. Khalid Anwer , Roop K. Khar.

Shilajit: a review. Phytotherapy Research (May 2007), Volume 21, Issue 5, Pages 401 – 405

2. www.drhartman.com

Other names1

Sanskrit name – Shilajit, Shilajitu, Dhaturas, Dhatusara, Shiladhatu,

English name – Mineral pitch, Black bitumen, Bituminous pitch, Jew’s

Pitch

Botanical name – Asphaltum

Common names – Shilajit, Indian Viagra

Arab name - Hajar-ul-musa

Bengali name - Silajitu

Persian Name - Momiai Faqurul Yahud

Mythology of Shilajit2

Shilajit has been mentioned in many Hindu literature including medical

texts like Charaka Samhita which was written more than 3000 years ago. It is

believed that shilajit was given by Lord Shiva to King Chandra Varma to get back

his youth fullness. Chandra Varma was a great King who ruled a vast empire that

included the northern parts of India. He is one of the ancestors of Buddha,

founder of Buddhism. King Chandra Varma was an efficient warrior. He had

many enemies. During his younger days, he kept waging wars against his

enemies in order to protect his kingdom. By the time he eliminated all his

enemies, he was very old and was above 50 years of age.

Having a vast empire with good assets and material resources, King

Chandra Varma wanted to live the best of lives since all the years he was busy

fighting battles. But he could not enjoy to the extent he wanted as he had

become old. He went to the Himalayas and went on Penance for months in

prayer.

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Reference

1. www.rpcshilajit.com

2 .www.rudramani.com

According to the ancient story, Shiva was pleased by the king’s sincerity.

He appeared before King Chandra Varma and asked him what he wanted. King

Chandra Varma told him that he wanted to become young again so that he can

enjoy his life. Shiva offered a substance from his own body. This substance is

shilajit. After consuming shilajit, King Chandra Varma became young again.

Shiva is said to reside in Mount Kailash, which is one of the peaks in the

Himalayan Mountains. Hence shilajit is said to be extracted from the Himalayan

ranges. King Chandra Varma who was the first to take Shilajit is still revered

even now by local populace in India.

Shilajit is created by run off in the Himalayas that deposits organic

material into the crevices and fissures of stones. The resinous substance comes

to the surface and melts. It is dark red to brown to almost black in color and very

bitter and is said to enhance the efficacy of any other formula taken. Technically,

Shilajit is an exudate that is pressed out from layers of rock in Himalayas and

other areas. It is composed of humus and organic plant material that has been

compressed by layers of rock. Humus is formed when soil microorganisms

decompose animal and plant material into elements usable by plants. Plants are

the source of all our food and humus is the source of plant food. Unlike other soil

humus, Shilajit humus consists of 60%-80% organic mass1.

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Shilajit is extremely rich in bioactive minerals. The active principle of

Shilajit is fulvic acid. In ancient India, it was considered a panacea for all

diseases. It was believed that no major disease was curable unless and until,

shilajit was included in the drug preparation. Shilajit has been used for more than

3000 years now. It is one of the important components in the Ayurvedic system

of medicine.

Reference

www.rpcshilajit.com

Shilajit and Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an intricate system of healing that originated in India

thousands of years ago. Ayurvedic system of medicine is one of the world's

oldest medical systems. It originated in India and has evolved there over

thousands of years. In the United States, Ayurveda is considered

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) - more specifically, a CAM

whole medical system. Ayurveda is based on ideas from traditional healers from

India and Nepal. Some Ayurvedic ideas also evolved from ancient Persian

thoughts about health and healing. Many Ayurvedic practices were handed down

by word of mouth and were used before there were written records. Two ancient

books, written in Sanskrit on palm leaves more than 2,000 years ago, are thought

to be the first texts on Ayurveda

Charaka Samhita

Susruta Samhita

In the Charaka Samhita, Shilajit is described as a product of four minerals:

gold, silver, copper and iron, whereas Susruta Samhita included two more

minerals, lead and zinc in its composition. According to the predominance of the

minerals of the source rock, it was classified into four categories: Sauvarna,

Rajat, Tamra and Lauha. The last variety Lauha shilajit or blackish-brown Shilajit

is common and is supposed to be most effective. Charaka Samhita mentions that

without the aid of Shilajit no curable disease can be alleviated. According to

Sushruta, in the months of May-June the sap or juice of plants comes out as

gummy exudation from the rocks of mountains due to strong heat of sun.

Origin of shilajit

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At the dawn of creation, some speculate that India was a large island off

the Australian coast separated from the Eurasian continent by the Tethys Sea2.

Reference

1. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ayurveda/

2. www.rpcshilajit.com

The Indian continent drifted north at a rate of about 9 meters a century. This

movement led to the eventual disappearance of the Tethys Sea. The Indian

continent collided with the Asian continent. This caused the bed of the Tethys

sea to be pushed up and to continually move up to eventually form the

Himalayan Mountains. The Himalayan mountains continue to rise more than 1

Centimeter a year.

During this transition the mineral rich and fertile soil of the sea bed gave

rise to a lush and dense tropical jungle. As the ground continued to be pushed up

to become mountains a lot of the plants became trapped by layers of rock and

soil and remained preserved for thousands of years. These plants have never

been exposed to any chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides. They are gradually

transformed into humus, a rich organic mass that is food for new plant life.

Due to microbial action and the tremendous pressure from the weight of

the Himalayan Mountains, the ancient humus was transformed into a dense,

viscous, mineral rich mass1. This is shilajit. The trapped layer of Shilajit becomes

exposed due to the freezing winters, hot summer Sun and erosion from monsoon

rains. Shilajit will flow out from between the cracks in the layers of rock during the

summer when the temperature of the mountains gets warm enough and the

Shilajit becomes less viscous. The native Nepali people then climb the

mountains, repel down cliffs to collect the magical substance1.

Shilajit has again entered the medical field for its potential benefits. The

rediscovery of shilajit has been attributed to the villagers of Himalayas2. White

monkeys, which dwell in the Himalayan region, are known for both their strength

and longevity. These white monkeys migrate to the Himalayan Mountains during

summer. When they return, they are seen chewing a semi-solid substance, which

is seen between the layers of the rock.

Reference

7

1. www.hartman.com

2. www.dabur.com

Many villagers believe the strength and longevity of the white monkeys are due

to that semi-solid substance. They got curious and started eating those

substances. After eating it, many found a great improvement in their health. They

found that the substance gave more strength and even relieved some of their

gastrointestinal problems. This led to more people getting interested in shilajit. In

the 18th century, many scientists started conducting studies on shilajit and

analyzed its ingredients and properties.

This ancient wisdom was passed from generation to generation among

the Indian and Nepali alchemists and holy men, but it escaped the notice of the

Western medical establishment until the last days of the twentieth century, when

explorer John Anderson heard of the amazing benefits of this substance and

refused to give up the search until he found its source1. He journeyed throughout

India and Nepal until he learned of the perilous harvesting of the raw shilajit from

the cliffs. He also documented the reams of Sanskrit studies showing the rare

plant's benefits. He spoke firsthand with more than fifty Indian and Nepalese

researchers that have been studying the wonderful effects of shilajit and

perfecting the processes for delivering the purest, most concentrated shilajit ever

known to man.

A few other resources say that Shilajit was first discovered in Modern

times by British Explorer Sir Martin Edward Stanley during the 1870’s when India

and Nepal were part of the British Empire2 . Sir Edward Stanley, on his

exploration in the higher altitude of the Himalayas, to his surprise found there

were hardly any monkeys with aged looks during his months of expedition. He

subsequently observed that monkeys there regularly ate something from the

earth near the rocks. That was an odd behavior as monkeys typically do not eat

rocky substances. He observed that the monkeys ate a blackish mineral pitch

oozing near the rocks. That pitch is shilajit.

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References

1. www.drhartman.com

2. www.rudramani.com

Shilajit is perhaps the most potent rejuvenator and anti aging substance

ever known to mankind. Shilajit is believed to arrest and reverse the aging

process. Indian Yogis on seeing the powers of Shilajit considered Shilajit to have

divine powers capable of healing the body of virtually any ailments and above all

to restore youthfulness.

Shilajit is also found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet

and some regions of the former USSR (Caucasus, Ural), as well as in Norway,

where it is gathered in small quantities from steep rock faces at altitudes between

1000 and 5000 m. The therapeutic actions of the raw material vary by the region

it is harvested from. There are other substances that contain humic and fulvic

acids, but true shilajit has a very important therapeutic, bioactive ingredient that

is not present in other shilajit-like substances.

The authenticity and therapeutic quality of shilajit is identified by the

inclusion of oxygenated di-benzo alpha pyrones. While there are several areas

from which the raw material is collected, the highest levels of therapeutic

ingredients come from specific areas in the Himalayan Mountains in Nepal at

10,000-12,000 feet above sea level1. Historic records report that these “sacred”

mountains produce the best shilajit. The processing of the raw Shilajit is very

important as it contains free radicals and may also contain fungal toxins.

Processing removes these free radicals, polymeric quinone radicals, toxins,

mycotoxins, and other inactive ingredients.

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Clinical research has shown that Shilajit has a positive effect on humans.

It increases longevity, improves memory and cognitive ability, reduces allergies

and respiratory problems, reduces stress, and relieves digestive troubles. It is

anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and eliminates free radicals. The research proves

beyond a shadow of a doubt that Shilajit increases immunity, strength, and

endurance, and lives up to its ancient reputation as the "destroyer of weakness".

Reference

1. http://www.crucible.org/shilajit.htm

Chapter 2: What is shilajit?

Despite the very ancient history of the use of shilajit, very little is really

understood about its exact origin, even whether it is a plant material or mineral.

Most likely, its resinous nature is due to the presence of mosses that have

contributed to the formation of shilajit.

Shilajit is a pale brown to blackish gummy brown exudate of variable

consistency of the plant Styrax officinalis1. Shilajit is found in the rocks of the

Himalayan Mountains in India and also in Hindukush mountain ranges of

Afghanistan. In the Himalayas and in Hindukush, shilajit can be seen oozing from

the rocks. It is a mineral pitch mixed with the exudates of the plant Styrax

officinalis1. It is a complex mixture of organic humic substances and plant and

microbial metabolites occurring in the rock rhizospheres of its natural habitat.

Shilajit is a form of mineral that drips from the cracks of rocks during hot

weather. It is the decomposition of plant matter in the rocks from thousands of

years in the past. The bio transformed plant matter is extruded from the rocks by

geothermal pressures. It is collected in raw form for further purification. It is bitter

in taste, and its smell resembles cow's stale urine.

Ayurveda, which is an ancient Indian system of medicine, utilizes shilajit

to treat many diseases. Shilajit is considered a panacea. It uses shilajit to

increase strength, immunity and vitality. It is a natural anti-oxidant. The uses of

shilajit as described in Ayurveda are –

Boosting immunity

General health tonic

Optimizing physical performance

Reference

Rejuvenation of muscles, bones and nerves

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1. www.altcancer.com

Ingredients of Shilajit3

-mineral “compound”, which oozes out from a special

type o

emical composition and

bioacti

along

Reference

Shilajit is a herbo

f mountain rocks in the peak summer months. It is found at high altitudes

ranging from 1000 to 5000 meters. The active constituent of shilajit consists of

dibenzo-alpha-pyrones and related metabolites, small peptides (constituting non-

protein amino acids), some lipids and carrier molecules (fulvic acids). Standard

shilajit contains at least 5-7% dibenzo-alpha-pyrones.

Researchers first began to investigate the ch

vity of shilajit in the early 1970s. Before then, it was not clear whether

shilajit was a bitumen - a plant fossil - that had been exposed due to rock

weathering at high altitude, or a material formed from modern plant remains.

Research done on shilajit has shown that it is mainly composed of humus

with a few organic substances. Humic substances are considered nature's

own best medicine for plants, animals, humans, and the Earth itself. This lowly

soil substance has the ability to clean up the Earth’s environment, neutralize

radiation and deadly toxins, heal the agricultural lands, fuel the spark of life in

living organisms, disarm and kill infectious pathogens, destroy the deadliest

viruses, prevent most, if not all diseases, and even cure and restore diseased

and damaged tissues and organs in plants, animals, and man1.

1. www.drhartman.com

2. www.rpcshilajit.com

3. www.chemsoc.org

Humus refers to two different organic substances in the soil. They can be

defined in perspective to earth sciences and to agriculture1.

earth sciencesIn – Humus is any organic matter which has reached a

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point of stability, where it will break down no further and might, if

conditions do not change, remain essentially as it is for centuries or

millennia.

In agriculture – Humus is a mature compost, or natural compost extracted

from a forest or other spontaneous source for use to amend soil.

Humus consists of organic residues that have lost their original structure

following rapid decomposition in the environment. Its composition changes

constantly and it can disappear by slow decomposition unless new residual

matter is incorporated. Among the various constituents of humus, two are of

interest for the role they play in the field of health2. They are –

Fulvic acid – This consists of low molecular weight substances like

uronic acids, phenolic glycosides and amino acids.

Humic acid – This consists of high molecular weight substances like

phenolic acids

Humic substances consist of an immense arsenal and array of powerful

phytochemicals, biochemicals, supercharged antioxidants, free-radical

scavengers, super oxide dismutases, nutrients, enzymes, hormones, amino

acids, antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, etc3. Many of the substances that make

up humic matter have yet to be discovered and catalogued among the known

and documented organic chemicals. Due to microbial action and the tremendous

pressure from the weight of the Himalayan Mountains, the ancient humus was

Reference

1. www.wikipedia.org

2. www.chemsoc.org

3. www.rpcshilajit.com

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transformed into a dense, viscous, mineral rich mass. This is shilajit. The trapped

layers of shilajit become exposed due to the freezing winters, hot summer sun

and erosion from monsoon rains. Shilajit will flow out from between the cracks in

the layers of rock during the summer when the temperature of the mountains

gets warm enough and the shilajit becomes less viscous.

The humus content of the shilajit is a very special kind of humus. Unlike other

soil humus, shilajit humus consists of 60-80% organic mass. Spectroscopic

analysis done on it shows that it is similar to the humus found in the soil. Analysis

of the humus of shilajit shows a lattice like structure with spaces of varying

dimensions in between. The spaces are in the dimension of (0.010 -0.05 mm).

These spaces contain diverse substances like organic molecules and metal

complexes. These substances are responsible for the various therapeutic effects

that are seen using shilajit1.

Though shilajit has been used more than 3000 years ago, it attracted the

attention of the scientists recently. Studies to prove its therapeutic applications

were begun in the late 1970s. But controversies soon started regarding the

nature of the content – whether shilajit is a fossil or is it composed of plants of

recent origin. In 1976, while analyzing the contents of shilajit, the components of

the plant Euphorbia royleana were discovered. The plant is named after

Euphorbias, who was the court physician of Juba II, the Romanized ruler of a

North African kingdom - in the first century AD1.

Euphorbia plants grow in the temperate regions around the world. There are

about 100 species of this plant growing around the world. When crushed these

plants lets out a thick white latex substance. It is believed that this latex could

have been transformed in to the components of shilajit. Some of the organic

compounds in Euphorbia royleana and shilajit are also found in animals such as

beavers, which frequently eat the buds and bark of trees, and this is thought to

be responsible for the deposits in these animals.

Reference

1. www.chemsoc.org

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The controversy continued till the mid 1980s when it was finally established

that shilajit contains plant extracts of recent origin. Researchers from the

Banaras Hindu University in India were the first to throw some light on some of

the other ingredients of Shilajit1. In their analysis on shilajit, they found out that in

addition to humus, shilajit also contains some biphenyl compounds. Incidentally,

these compounds were isolated from Trifolium repens, the plants that grow in the

same region where shilajit oozes out of the rocks. This led to the speculation that

humification of some native latex bearing plants contributes to the makeup of

shilajit.

The scientists from Banaras Hindu University later found that shilajit also

contains benzocoumarins, when they did column chromatography1. The results

were quite exciting because biphenyls are a rare group of natural products in

higher plants and no biphenyl with a carboxy function at C6 had been

encountered before. Another exciting feature about these chemicals is that some

of them possess anti-allergy compounds.

After the publication of the findings of the work done by the scientists from

Banaras Hindu University, it became clear that humification of resin-bearing

plants was responsible for the major organic mass of shilajit - about 80 per cent

of the humus component1. The amount and composition of the remaining organic

mass, which is a mixture of low molecular weight compounds, varies depending

on where the shilajit comes from. The most common low molecular weight

compounds present are oxygenated dibenzo-a-pyrones. So the composition of

shilajit is influenced by factors such as1 –

Plant species involved

Geological nature of the rock

Local temperature profiles

Humidity

Altitude

Reference

1. www.chemsoc.org

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Although the composition varies from place to place, the general

consistency of samples from various sources points to a common production

process that results from biological and chemical action on plant remains. The

physiological properties of shilajit are due to compounds such as the dibenzo-a-

pyrones, along with triterpenes and phenolic lipids. Fulvic acids may also have a

physiological role, acting as carrier molecules for the more bioactive smaller

compounds. The following table shows the composition of shilajit obtained from

various places1 –

Sl.No. Country of

origin

PH of 1%

solution

Percentage

of low

molecular

weight

compounds

Percentage

of fulvic

acid

Percentage

of humic

acid

1.

Kumaon, India

6.2

17.9

21.4

9.8

2.

Dolpa, Nepal

7.5

29.7

22.8

14.4

3.

Peshawar,

Pakistan

6.8

4.3

15.5

5.6

4.

Tien–Shan,

Russia

8.2

9.7

19.0

11.5

Reference

1. www.tattvaherbs.com

Types of shilajit

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Shilajit has been used for centuries and has been part of the ayurvedic

system of medicine. Scientists turned their attention towards categorizing shilajit

in the 18th century. Through a number of well conducted studies they found out

the ingredients, pharmacological properties and benefits of shilajit.

As mentioned above the properties of shilajit depends on a number of

factors. Four types of shilajit have been described by ancient Hindu writers1.

They are –

Gold shilajit (red)

Silver shilajit (white)

Copper shilajit (blue)

Iron shilajit (blackish brown)

Blue and red shilajit are not found commonly and the most commonly

available variety is iron shilajit and from the therapeutic point of view, it is

considered to be the most active form. In addition a few resources mention

about another type of shilajit called Russian shilajit or moomiyo.

Russian Shilajit2

Russian shilajit is one of the varieties of the shilajit extract. It is a rare

extract which gets accumulated only twice a year.

Reference

1. www.holisticonline.com

2. www.tattvaherbs.com

It is also called as –

Shilajit moomiyo extract

Mumie

Russian Black anabolic extract

Mountain tear

Mountain blood

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Balsam of rock

A few resources say that Aristotle had vividly described the utility of

shilajit

enefits of shilajit

oomiyo was first introduced to the scientific world in 1910.

Variou

2500 years ago. It is said that he proposed and accurately described the

first procedures for the use of Moomiyo and its preparation in grape juice, honey

and milk. It is believed that emperors like Alexander the Great, Tamerlane,

Chenghiz Khan added Moomiyo to the ration of their Generals, personal guard

and special units so that they can perform well in the battlefield.

B

Shilajit or m

s studies were done by National Science Laboratories using Government

funding in Central Asian countries of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. These are the

countries where the extracts of moomiyo can be found. The benefits of moomiyo

include-

Shilajit increases potential effect on life span – The people of the Pamir

Mountain Region in the Central Asia routinely use Moomiyo in their

foods. Their life spans are 10 -15 years above the world average.

It increases the strength and muscle mass and recuperative powers. The

In sports, shilajit is prized for its significant tonic and growth-

prom

Russian military and the sports person have been using this extract for

more than four decades now. It promotes rapid muscle growth by radical

improvement in the activity of hormone glands. It improves workload by

as much as 15-27% and dramatically shortens recovery time. It causes

an up to 10 percent increase in the muscle mass. Shilajit is considered a

strategic material and is used extensively as a performance enhancer

within the Special Forces (Spetnaz and other elite fighting groups).

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oting effect on both physical and mental processes. A budget of

almost 6.5 million dollars was allocated by the Soviet government to the

USSR National Sport Committee for research and application of shilajit

in sports during the preparation of athletes for the 1988 Olympic Games

in Moscow.

It promotes healing of bone fractures

It boosts the immunity. Research has shown that patients taking shilajit

ientists also discovered that shilajit increases the production of

Interleukin (IL

shilajit seems to be the most common form today. Rare Nepalese

shila

Chapter 3: Studies done on Shilajit

large-scale study published in the November 11, 1998 issue of the

Journa

have significantly increased concentration of the T cells, highly

specialized immune agents that fight diseases by attacking alien

microorganisms. Shilajit helps white blood cells called macrophages

work better and faster. The macrophages job is to destroy and digest

foreign material. This means that when strengthened with Moomiyo,

white blood cells can ingest more bacteria, microbes and other alien

cells.

Sc

-1), a protein that is released by the macrophages. Interleukin has

important immune enhancing properties. IL-1 alerts the resting white blood cells

when necessitated by the threats to the organism and spurs them into action. An

important effect is the increase in the number of T-cells, the soldiers of the

immune system. Russian cosmonauts also use moomiyo as it facilitates strong

immune system, sound health and fast recovery during and after long space

journeys.

While

jit appears to be the most effective of all available forms. In some parts of

Nepal it is considered more valuable than gold because of its healing properties.

A

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l of the American Medical Association, complementary and Alternative

therapy (CAM) use among the general public increased from 33.8% in 1990 to

42.1% in 19971. The results of the 1999 National Health Interview Survey

published in the Journal of Medical Care, 2002 has shown that 28.9% of the

people above 18 years have used at least one form of CAM therapy in 1998. The

belief in the CAM therapy is slowly growing1. Among the various Complementary

and Alternative therapy, Herbal therapies and Nutritional therapies are quite

popular. Shilajit is a herb used for various ailments, the recent indication being to

treat the effects of aging.

Shilajit has been used for treating diseases for more than 3000 years.

Shilajit

Schepetkin et al from the Immunomodulation Research Center and

Depart

nce

is considered a “panacea”, which by definition can cure almost any

disease. A detailed description of shilajit has been found in Charaka Samhita,

which is considered as the bible of Ayurveda. After the 18th century when the

ingredients of shilajit were isolated, researchers started working on the

pharmacological properties of shilajit and its use in the field of medicine. There

are many studies which highlight the beneficial effects of shilajit in the field of

medicine.

Igor

ment of Biology Science, University of Ulsan, Korea and Altai State

Technical University, Russia in their review article on Mumie ( Russian shilajit)

titled - ‘Medical drugs from humus matter: Focus on mumie’ have focused on

the medicinal drugs from humus matter such as peat, sapropel, and mumie2. The

most clinically available medicines, containing peat and sapropel extracts, are -

Refere

1. www.cancer.gov

2. Igor Schepetkin, Andrei Khlebnikov, Byoung Se Kwon. Medical drugs from humus matter:

Focus on mumie. Drug Development Research (Nov 2002). Volume 57, Issue 3, Pages 140 –

159.

T

19

orfot, Tolpa Peat Preparation (TPP), Peloidodistillate, Humisol, Peloidin, FiBS,

and Eplir. Much attention in the review is concentrated on mumie composition, its

pharmacological properties, and new pharmacological drugs with mumie

(Shilagen, Abana, Cystone, Diabecon 400, EveCare, Geriforte, Lukol, Pilex,

Rumalava, Tentex forte, Nefrotec, Adrenotone, Siotone, La-Tone Gold, Andro-

Surge, Solanova Libidoplex). It was concluded that therapeutic properties of

crude extracts from peat, sapropel, and mumie have similarity to the ones of

fulvic and humic acids. They are antibacterial, antitoxic, antiradical,

antiulcerogenic, antiarthritic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory

properties. Possible directions for better development of new drugs from humus

matter are discussed.

Studies done on the effects of shilajit on brain

Schliebs et al from the Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research,

ipzig, Germany conducted a

study

Department of Neurochemistry, University of Le

on shilajit to see its effects on the brain1. They confirmed the cognition-

enhancing and memory-improving effects of shilajit. They attributed these effects

of shilajit on the cortical and basal forebrain cholinergic signal transduction

cascade. They conducted the study in rats. They administered shilajit at doses of

40 mg per kilogram body weight for 7 days. Administration of Shilajit led to

reduced acetyl cholinesterase staining, restricted to the basal forebrain nuclei

including medial septum and the vertical limb of the diagonal band. These effects

on the brain prove shiljait to be an effective therapeutic intervention in

Alzheimer's disease.

Reference

1. Schliebs R, Liebmann A, Bhattacharya SK, Kumar A, Ghosal S, Bigl V. Systemic

administration of defined extracts from Withania somnifera (Indian Ginseng) and Shilajit

differentially affects cholinergic but not glutamatergic and GABAergic markers in rat brain.

Neurochem Int. 1997 Feb; 30(2):181-90.

Alzheimer’s disease is a disease o

20

f old age with features of progressive loss of

short-term memory followed by generalized loss of cognitive and other brain

functions, requiring the need for constant care and eventually death. It is present

in 17% of the population aged 65-69 and its incidence increases steadily with

age. In those who are 95% or older, the incidence is 40-50%. Thus Alzheimer’s

disease is a major medical problem. So far there is no effective intervention for

this. Shilajit and Indian ginseng another Indian herb hold promise to provide

some relief in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Bhattacharya and Kumar from The Department of Pharmacology, Banaras

Hindu University, India conducted a study in 1997 to see the effect of Trasina, an

ayurvedic herbal formulation, on experimental models of Alzheimer's disease and

centra

Trasina, after sub chronic administration for 21 days, was assessed on two

rodent

l cholinergic markers in rats1. Trasina is a herbal formulation of some

Indian medicinal plants classified in Ayurveda, the classic Indian system of

medicine, as Medhyarasayanas or drugs reputed to improve memory and

intellect. Trasina is a combination of Shilajit, Withania somnifera, Tinospora

cordifolia, Eclipta alba, Ocimum sanctum and Picrorrhiza kurroa.

Earlier experimental and clinical investigations have indicated that the

formulation has a memory-facilitating action. In this investigation, the effect of

models simulating some biochemical features known to be associated

with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The models, in rats, included intra-cerebro-

ventricularly (i.c.v.) administered colchicine (15 micrograms/rat) and lesioning of

nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nbm) by ibotenic acid (10 micrograms/rat).

Retention of an active avoidance response was used as the memory parameter.

In addition, the effect of Trasina was evaluated on i.c.v. colchicine-induced

Reference

1. Bhattacharya SK, Kumar A. Effect of Trasina, an ayurvedic herbal formulation, on

experimental models of Alzheimer's disease and central cholinergic markers in rats. J

Altern Complement Med. 1997 Winter; 3(4):327-36.

depletion of acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations, reduction in choline

acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, and decrease in muscarinic cholinergic

receptor (MCR) binding in rat brain fro

21

ntal cortex and hippocampus. The

behavioral and biochemical investigations were done 7, 14, and 21 days after

colchicine or ibotenic acid lesioning.

Trasina (200 and 500 mg/kg) was administered orally (p.o.) once daily for

21 days, the first drug administration being given just prior to lesioning.

Colchicine and ibotenic acid induced marked retention deficit of active avoidance

learnin

rmaceutics, Institute of Technology,

Banaras Hindu University, India conducted a study in 1992 on the effect of

Shilajit

g that was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner by Trasina after 14

and 21 days of treatment. Frontal cortical and hippocampal ACh concentrations,

ChAT activity and MCR binding was significantly reduced after colchicine

treatment. Trasina (200 and 500 mg/kg) reversed these deficits after 14 and 21

days of treatment. The findings indicate that the herbal formulation containing

exerts a significant nootropic effect after sub chronic treatment that may be due

to reversal of perturbed cholinergic function.

Bhattacharya et al from The Department of Pharmacology, Banaras Hindu

University, India and the Department of Pha

on rat brain monoamines1. According to them, shilajit (25 and 50 mg/kg

i.p. for 5 days) significantly lowers the levels of 5 hydroxy tryptamine and 5

hydroxy indole acetic acid and increases the levels of dopamine, noradrenaline

and their metabolites, in concert, in rat brains. The finding is appraised in view of

its use as an Ayurvedic rasayan (rejuvenator).

Reference:-

1. S. K. Bhattacharya, S. Ghosal. Effect of Shilajit on rat brain monoamines. Phytotherapy

Research (Jun 1992), Volume 6, Issue 3, Pages 163 – 164

Studies done on the effects of shilajit on learning and memory

hibnath Ghosal et al from the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research

Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Technology, Banaras

22

S

Hindu University, India and the Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical

Scienc

• Open-field behavior paradigms

This study was undertaken to appraise the validity of use of shilajit as an

Ayurvedic e rning and memory). Sh-P and its

active constituents (EE-FAs) significantly augmented learning acquisition and

memo

dings seem to suggest that the action of shilajit is mediated

by fac

es, Banaras Hindu University, India, conducted a study on the effects of

shilajit and its active constituents on learning and memory in rats in 19921.

Effects, in albino rats, of a processed shilajit (Sh-P), native shilajit (Sh-N)

(unprocessed water-soluble fraction), and a preparation consisting of a mixture of

ethyl acetate extractives (EE) and fulvic acids (FAs) from Sh-P, were evaluated

in-

• An active avoidance

• Elevated plus-maze

m dha rasayan (enhancer of lea

ry retrieval in the battery of tests, designed for this purpose, according to

accepted tenets. Sh-N, on the other hand, produced erratic responses (both

augmentative and retardative) in the above parameters. The U-shaped dose-

responses shown by Sh-P and EE-FAs are reminiscent of agents that improve

cognitive functions.

Additionally, Sh-P and EE-FAs, in high doses (25-50 mg/kg p.o.),

produced significant anti-anxiety effect in the open-field behavior test. The

present and earlier fin

ilitating communication between the immune and the central nervous

systems. These findings reinforce our earlier postulate that purification of shilajit -

References:-

1. S. Ghosal, J. Lal, A. K. Jaiswal, S. K. Bhattacharya. Effects of shilajit and its active

constituents on learning and memory in rats. Phytotherapy Research (Feb 1993), Volume 7,

Issue 1 , Pages 29 – 34

23

- is an imperative necessity to ensure its optimum therapeutic effect. This would

tudies done on the effects of shilajit on fertility

e of Pharmacy, Chungbuk

Nation

revealed an apparent increase in the number of

semini

tudies done on the effects of shilajit on other drugs

Morphine is a drug, which is commonly used for pain relief. But when used

over a

also safeguard from potential health risks associated with prolonged ingestion of

raw shilajit containing free radicals and fungal toxins.

S

Park JS et al (October, 2006) from Colleg

al University, South Korea conducted a study to examine the possibility of

using shilajit as a fertility agent to treat infertility1. They studied the effects of

shilajit on the production of sperms and eggs in male and female rats. Shilajit

was administered orally to 7-week-old rats over a 6-week period. In the male

rats, the number of sperms in the testes and epididymides was significantly

higher than in the control group.

A histological examination

ferous tubular cell layers in the testes of the treated rats. However, there

were no significant differences in the weights of heart, spleen, liver, kidney, brain,

testes and epididymides. In the female rats, the effect of Shilajit was estimated

by the ovulation inducing activity. Over a 5-day period, ovulation was induced in

seven out of nine rats in the Shilajit administration group, and in three out of nine

rats in the control group. It was estimated that Shilajit had both a spermiogenic

and ovogenic effect in mature rats.

S

period of time, the analgesic or the pain relieving action diminishes. This is

due to the effect called ‘tolerance’. Shilajit is known to reverse this tolerance to

the long-term administration of morphine.

Reference

1. Park JS, Kim GY, Han K. The spermatogenic and ovogenic effects of chronically

24

administered Shilajit to rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Oct 11; 107(3):349-53.

Tiwari P et al (March, 2001) from Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences,

Jordan confirmed this effect of shilajit by conducting a study in Swiss mice1.

Chronic administration of morphine (10 mg/kg) to mice over a duration of

10 days resulted in the development of tolerance to the analgesic effect of

morphine. Concomitant administration of processed shilajit with morphine, from

day 6 to day 10, resulted in a significant inhibition of the development of

tolerance to morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) induced analgesia. Processed Shilajit per

se, in the doses used, did not elicit any significant analgesia in mice; nor did the

chronic concomitant administration of Processed Shilajit alter the morphine-

induced analgesia. These findings with Processed Shilajit indicate its potential as

a prospective modifier of analgesic tolerance to morphine.

Shahjahan and Islam (November, 1998) from Drug Control Authority,

Safat, Kuwait, evaluated shilajit as a suspending agent in the formulation of

antacid preparations2. Carboxy methyl cellulose is the drug routinely used as a

suspending agent. Shilajit produced effects on sedimentation volume similar to

those produced by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, but at lower concentrations.

It induced better flocculation with a moderate increase in viscosity compared to

CMC. It did not interfere with the acid-consuming capacity of the suspensions. So

this study proves that Shilajit can be effectively used as a suspending agent for

drug formulations.

Studies done on the adaptogenic effects of shilajit

In Ayurveda, shilajit and other herbs like Withania somnifera, Ocimum

sanctum, Asparagus racemosus and Tribulus terristris are classified as

‘Rasayanas’ which are reputed to promote physical and mental health,

Reference

1. P Tiwari, P Ramarao, S Ghosal. Effects of Shilajit on the development of tolerance to

morphine in mice. Phytotherapy Research (Mar 2001), Volume 15, Issue 2 , Pages 177 – 179

25

2. Shahjahan M, Islam I. Preliminary evaluation of shilajit as a suspending agent in antacid

suspensions. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 1998 Nov; 24(11):1109-12.

improve defense mechanisms of the body and enhance longevity. These

attributes are similar to the modern concept of adaptogenic agents, which are,

known to afford protection of the human physiological system against diverse

stressors.

Bhattacharya et al (February,2001) from Department of Pharmacology,

Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, India, did a study to

investigate the adaptogenic activity of Siotone (ST) which contains shilajit against

chronic unpredictable, but mild, foot shock stress induced perturbations in

behavior (depression), glucose metabolism, suppressed male sexual behavior,

immunosuppression and cognitive dysfunction in CF strain albino rats1. Gastric

ulceration, adrenal gland and spleen weights, ascorbic acid and corticosterone

concentrations of adrenal cortex, and plasma corticosterone levels, were used as

the stress indices. Panax ginseng (PG) was used as the standard adaptogenic

agent for comparison. Additionally, rat brain levels of tribulin, an endogenous

substance postulated to be involved in stress, were also assessed in terms of

endogenous monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and MAOB inhibitory activity.

Chronic unpredictable foot shock induced marked gastric ulceration,

significant increase in adrenal gland weight and plasma corticosterone levels,

with concomitant decreases in spleen weight, and concentrations of adrenal

gland ascorbic acid and corticosterone. These effects were attenuated by siotone

(50 and 100 mg/kg) and PG (100 mg/kg), administered once daily over a period

of 14 days, the period of stress induction. Chronic stress also induced glucose

intolerance, suppressed male sexual behavior, induced behavioral depression

and cognitive dysfunction, and immunosuppression. All these chronic stress-

induced perturbations were attenuated, dose-dependently by siotone (50 and

100 mg/kg) and PG (100 mg/kg). Chronic stress-induced increase in rat brain

tribulin activity was also reversed by these doses of siotone and by PG.

Reference

26

1. Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Chakrabarti A. Adaptogenic activity of Siotone, a

polyherbal formulation of Ayurvedic rasayanas. Indian J Exp Biol. 2000 Feb; 38(2):119-28.

The results indicate that siotone containing shilajit has significant adaptogenic

activity, qualitatively comparable to PG, against a variety of behavioral,

biochemical and physiological perturbations induced by unpredictable stress,

which has been proposed to be a better indicator of clinical stress than acute

stress parameters.

Studies done on the effects of shilajit on exercise performance

Herbs have been used throughout history to enhance physical

performance, but scientific scrutiny with controlled clinical trials has only recently

been used to study such effects. Bucci (August, 2000) from Weider Nutrition

International, USA in his review article has written that controlled studies of herbs

including shilajit found improvements in exercise performance when most of the

following conditions were true1-

Use of standardized root extracts

Study duration (>8 wk, daily dose >1 g dried root or equivalent)

Improvements in muscular strength, maximal oxygen uptake, work

capacity, fuel homeostasis, serum lactate, heart rate, visual and auditory reaction

times, alertness, and psychomotor skills have also been repeatedly documented.

Bucci has concluded his article by saying that future research on

ergogenic effects of herbs including shilajit should consider identity and amount

of substance or presumed active ingredients administered, dose response,

duration of test period, proper experimental controls, measurement of

psychological and physiologic parameters (including antioxidant actions), and

measurements of performance pertinent to intended uses.

27

Reference

1. Bucci LR. Selected herbals and human exercise performance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Aug;

72(2 Suppl):624S-36S.

Studies done on the effects of shilajit on peptic ulcer

Goel et al from Department of Pharmacology, Banaras Hindu University,

Varanasi, India conducted a study on the effects of shilajit in treating peptic ulcer1

They found out that Shilajit increased the carbohydrate/protein ratio and

decreased gastric ulcer index, indicating an increased mucus barrier.

Shibnath Ghosal et al from the Department of Pharmaceutics, Banaras

Hindu University, India conducted a study on the anti-ulcerogenic activity of fulvic

acids and 4’-methoxy-6-carbomethoxybiphenyl isolated from shilajit2. Fulvic acids

(FA) and 4 -methoxy-6-carbomethoxybiphenyl (MCB, 1), two major organic

compounds isolated from Shilajit (a humus product), were screened for anti-

ulcerogenic activity in albino rats. Both FA and MCB showed significant anti-

ulcerogenic effects in the battery of tests accepted for this purpose. The

mechanism of anti-ulcerogenic action was studied with MCB on the basis of its

effects on mucin content (gastric juice carbohydrates and carbohydrate/protein

ratio) and on the concentration of DNA and protein in the gastric juice. The MCB-

induced changes in the mucosa provided resistance against the effect of

ulcerogens and also against shedding of mucosal cells. A preliminary acute

toxicity study indicated that both FA and MCB had a low order of toxicity.

Shahjahan M and Islam I from the Drug Control Authority, Safat, Kuwait

conducted a study on shilajit as a suspending agent in antacid suspensions3.

Antacid suspensions are preparations used to relieve the symptoms of acidity.

Reference

1. Goel RK, Banerjee RS, Acharya SB. Antiulcerogenic and anti-inflammatory studies with

shilajit. J Ethnopharmacol. 1990 Apr; 29(1):95-103.

28

2. Shibnath Ghosal, Sushil K. Singh, Yatendra Kumar, Radheyshyam Srivastava, Raj K. Goel,

Radharaman Dey, Salil K. Bhattacharya. Anti-ulcerogenic activity of fulvic acids and 4 -

methoxy-6-carbomethoxybiphenyl isolated from shilajit. Phytotherapy Research (Dec 1998),

Volume 2, Issue 4 , Pages 187 – 191

3. Shahjahan M, Islam I. Preliminary evaluation of shilajit as a suspending agent in antacid

suspensions. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 1998 Nov; 24(11):1109-12.

The efficacy of shilajit, a gummy exudate of the plant Styrax officinalis Linn

was evaluated as a suspending agent for the formulation of antacid preparations.

Shilajit produced effects on sedimentation volume similar to those produced by

sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), but at lower concentrations. It induced

better flocculation with a moderate increase in viscosity compared to CMC. It did

not interfere with the acid-consuming capacity of the suspensions.

Studies done on the anti-inflammatory effects of shilajit

Inflammation is the body’s response to injury. This injury, or trauma, may

be caused by a blow or wound, eye surgery, a disease such as a virus, bacteria

infection, or a parasite. It is a process by which the body’s white blood cells and

chemicals protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and

viruses. When inflammation occurs normally, chemicals from the body’s white

blood cells are released to protect us from foreign substances. Sometimes,

however, the white blood cells and their inflammatory chemicals cause damage

to the body’s tissues. Inflammation is characterized by pain, redness, swelling,

warmth and loss of function. Shilajit is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It

prevents the unwanted side effects of inflammation.

Goel et al from Department of Pharmacology, Banaras Hindu University,

Varanasi, India conducted a study on the anti-inflammatory effects of shilajit1.

Shilajit was found to have significant anti-inflammatory effect in carrageenan-

induced acute pedal edema, granuloma pouch and adjuvant-induced arthritis in

rats. In another study conducted on the anti-inflammatory effects of shilajit, it was

shown to reduce the swelling associated with inflammation by 76%.

Studies done on the effects of shilajit on blood glucose and lipid profile

29

Reference

1. Goel RK, Banerjee RS, Acharya SB. Antiulcerogenic and anti-inflammatory studies with

shilajit. J Ethnopharmacol. 1990 Apr; 29(1):95-103.

Trivedi et al from the Department of Pharmacology, Medical College,

Baroda conducted a study on the effects of shilajit on blood glucose and lipid

profile in alloxan induced diabetic rats in 20041. They compared the effects in

euglycemic and diabetic rats along with the conventional anti-diabetic drugs.

Diabetes was induced in albino rats by administration of a single dose of alloxan

monohydrate 5% (125 mg/kg, i.p). Three different doses of shilajit (50, 100 and

200 mg/kg/day, orally) were given alone for 4 weeks and a combination of shilajit

(100 mg/kg/day, orally) with either glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day, orally) or

metformin (0.5 g/kg/day, orally) for 4 weeks were given and their effects on blood

glucose and lipid profile were studied.

In the diabetic rats, all the three doses of shilajit produced a significant

reduction in blood glucose levels and also produced beneficial effects on the lipid

profile. The maximum effect was observed with the 100 mg/kg/day dose of

shilajit. Combination of shilajit (100 mg/kg) with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day) or

metformin (0.5 gm/kg/day) significantly enhanced the glucose-lowering ability

and improvement in lipid profile than any of these drugs given alone. The

hypoglycemic effect of shilajit (100 mg/kg) is significantly higher than that of

metformin (500 mg/kg). But the combination of shilajit with metformin produced

no further significant reduction in the blood glucose level compared to that

produced by shilajit (100 mg/kg) alone. Shilajit is thus effective in controlling

blood glucose levels and improves the lipid profile.

Nidhi Saxena et al from the Department of Biochemistry, Lucknow

University, India did a study on the oxidative status in diabetic patients2. They did

the study to find how shilajit modulated the oxidative response.

30

Reference

1. Trivedi NA, Mazumdar B, Bhatt JD, Hemavathi KG. Effect of shilajit on blood glucose and

lipid profile in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Indian Journal of Pharmacology (2004). Volume

36, Issue 6, Page 373-376

2. Nidhi Saxena, PHD, Upendra N. Dwivedi, PHD, Raj K. Singh, PHD, Arvind Kumar, MD, Chhavi

Saxena, MSC, BAMS, Ram C. Saxena, MD and Mona Saxena, PHD. Modulation of Oxidative

and Antioxidative Status in Diabetes by Asphaltum Panjabinum. Diabetes Care, 2003,

26:2469-2470.

Oxidative stress in diabetes, a common metabolic disorder, damages organs,

including the ß-cells of the islets of Langerhans. In an ancient, traditional system

of medicine, Asphaltum panjabinum (shilajit) has been reported to possess an

adaptogenic activity (a rasayan), which reverts a pathological state to a

physiological one with increased nonspecific resistance.

This study was conducted in 61 diabetic subjects of either sex, aged 31–

70 years, who were on unchanged dosages of glibenclamide and served as their

own control subjects. Shilajit was administered as two capsules (500 mg each;

Dabur India) twice daily for 30 days. Treatment with shilajit exhibited a significant

decrease in values of malondialdehyde compared with their higher pretreatment

values, whereas values of catalase in diabetic subjects were significantly

increased after treatment with shilajit. However, values of superoxide dismutase

(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase in diabetic subjects were reduced after shilajit

treatment.

Shilajit has been reported to be a panacea for variety of diseases in Asian

medicine. In humans, there is limited evidence concerning the role of free

radicals and antioxidants in diabetes. This is the first clinical study with shilajit to

show its effect on antioxidant activity in diabetic subjects. These observations are

supported by in vitro and liver homogenate experimental models.

31

It appears that shilajit, being an adaptogen, reverses this process by

resetting defective electron transport chain reactions. Thus, it decreases the

increased turnover of superoxide anion, as is reflected by the decreased demand

of SOD. Up regulation of catalase activity in the initial phases perhaps obviates

the need for antioxidant enzymes in later steps.

Overall, shilajit results in the reduction of lipids per-oxidation. Thus,

processed shilajit may be of value as a dietary supplement for modulating

diabetes status, as well as for the prevention of diabetes complications, which is

a real challenge for the present-day diabetologist.

Bhattacharya et al from the Department of Pharmacology, Banaras Hindu

University, India conducted a study in 1997 on effect of Trasina, an Ayurvedic

herbal formulation on pancreatic islet super oxide dismutase activity in

hyperglycemic rats1. Trasina (TR) is a combination of Shilajit, Withania

somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Eclipta alba, Ocimum sanctum and Picrorrhiza

kurroa. In this study, diabetes mellitus was induced in male CF strain rats by

streptozotocin (STZ) and hyperglycemia and super oxide dismutase (SOD)

activity of pancreatic islet cells was assessed on days 7, 14, 21 and 28. STZ

induced significant hyperglycemia and a concomitant decrease in islet cell SOD

activity.

Trasina had little per se effect on blood sugar concentrations and islet

SOD activity in euglycemic rats, in the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.

administered once daily for 28 days. However, these doses of TR induced a

dose- related decrease in STZ hyperglycemia and attenuation of STZ induced

decrease in islet SOD activity. The results indicate that the earlier reported anti-

hyperglycemic effect of TR may be due to pancreatic islet free radical scavenging

activity, the hyperglycemic activity of STZ being the consequence of decrease in

islet SOD activity leading to the accumulation of degenerative oxidative free

radicals in islet beta-cells.

32

The same author did a similar study with an isolated shilajit preparation2.

Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Wistar rats by the administration of

streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg, s.c. on 2 consecutive days). Hyperglycemia and

Reference

1. Bhattacharya SK, Satyan KS, Chakrabarti A. Effect of Trasina, an Ayurvedic herbal

formulation, on pancreatic islet super oxide dismutase activity in hyperglycemic rats.

Indian J Exp Biol. 1997 Mar; 35(3):297-9.

2. Salil K. Bhattacharya. Shilajit attenuates streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus and

decrease in pancreatic islet superoxide dismutase activity in rats. Phytotherapy Research.

Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages 41 - 44

super oxide dismutase activity of pancreatic islet cells was assessed on days 7,

14, 21 and 28, following STZ administration. In two other groups, shilajit (50 and

100 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered concurrently for 28 days. STZ induced

significant hyperglycemia by day 14, which increased progressively on days 21

and 28. STZ also induced a decrease in pancreatic islet cell super oxide

dismutase, which was apparent by day 7 and increased progressively, thereafter

on days 14, 21 and 28. Shilajit (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) had no discernible per

se effect on blood glucose levels in normal rats but attenuated the hyperglycemic

response of STZ from day 14 onwards, though only the effect of the higher dose

was statistically significant.

Similarly, both the doses of shilajit reduced the STZ-induced decrease in

super oxide dismutase activity from day 14 onwards, the effect of the lower dose

being statistically insignificant. The findings confirm earlier observations that

STZ-induced hyperglycemia may be the consequence of a decrease in

pancreatic islet super oxide dismutase activity, leading to accumulation of free

radicals and damage of the Beta cells. Shilajit attenuates both these effects of

STZ possibly by its action as a free radical scavenger. The findings support the

postulate that shilajit can prevent maturity onset diabetes mellitus.

33

A similar study titled ‘Shilajit-induced potentiation of the hypoglycemic

action of insulin and inhibition of streptozotocin induced diabetes in rat’ was

done by Kanikannan et al from the Division of Pharmacology, Department of

Pharmaceutics, Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, India and the

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutics,

Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, India1. The effects of

subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of processed shilajit (PS) alone and in

Reference

1. N. Kanikkannan, P. Ramarao, S. Ghosal. Shilajit-induced potentiation of the hypoglycemic

action of insulin and inhibition of streptozotocin induced diabetes in rat. Phytotherapy

Research (Nov 1995), Volume 9, Issue 7 , Pages 478 – 481

combinations with insulin (s.c.) on plasma glucose levels (PGL) were determined

in either sex of streptozotocin-induced diabetic (SID) rats. PS (50 /kg; s.c.) did

not alter plasma glucose levels in SID rats. Insulin (0.25-1.0 U/kg; s.c.), dose-

dependently produced hypoglycemia in SID rats. PS (50 µg/kg; s.c.) potentiated

and prolonged the hypoglycemic action of insulin when administered

concurrently.

Chronic administration of PS (0.1-10 mg/kg; b.i.d. for 10 days; i.p.) had no

influence per se on plasma glucose levels. Chronic administration of PS (1.0

mg/kg; b.i.d. for 10 days; i.p.) prevented the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced

diabetes in rats, whereas a relatively lower (0.1 mg/kg; b.i.d. for 10 days; i.p.) and

significantly higher dose (10 mg/kg; b.i.d. for 10 days; i.p.) of PS had no influence

on the STZ-induced diabetes. The results suggest that administration of PS

along with insulin would potentiate the insulin-induced hypoglycemia, and chronic

administration of a carefully determined dose of PS would inhibit the

development of STZ-induced diabetes.

Gupta et al suggested that long-term treatment with shilajit increases the

number of cells of the pancreas, i.e. pancreatotrophic action, which may result in

better sensitivity of pancreatic cells with prompt secretion of a large quantity of

insulin in response to hyperglycemia1.

34

Shilajit, a herbo-mineral preparation can thus offer a new and promising

approach in the long-term management of maturity onset diabetes mellitus,

Reference

1. Gupta SS. Effect of Shilajit, Ficus Bengalensis & ant. Pituitary extract on glucose tolerance in

rats. Indian J Med Res 1966; 54:354-66.

because of its multifaceted action. Since it can produce a better glycemic

control along with improvement in the lipid profile in animals, it is worthwhile to try

shilajit either as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic agents

clinically.

Studies done on the effects of shilajit during pregnancy

Ahamed et al from the Zoology Department, King Saud University College

of Science, Saudi Arabia, conducted a study to assess the safety of shilajit during

pregnancy1. The effect of shilajit on development of mice embryo was studied.

The total of 71 pregnant females mice were given (250 and 500 mg/kg)

orally via needle tube, daily from day 8-12 of pregnancy. All the treated

and control animals show no differences in the number of the litter size,

the placenta the body weight of the embryos, and the number of

resorbed embryos at day 17 of gestation. However few abnormalities were

observed in both treated and control groups

Shilajit was purchased from Riyadh city open market (as a paste,

originated from India) and stored at 600 C. The fresh aqueous solution

was prepared in distilled water for each experiment (250 mg/kg. and 500

mg/kg of the female body weight). Shilajit solution was administered orally

(via force feeding tube) for five days starting from day eight of pregnancy.

35

Groups of female mice (SWR strain) were brought from animal

house at College of Pharmacy, King Saud University. Females were

housed with male (4+1) for mating in plastic cages in an environmentally

controlled room with a temperature of 25 degree Celsius, 10 hours in light

and 14 hours in dark. The animals were fed Pillsbury food and had free

access to water. Pregnancy was confirmed by presence of vaginal plug daily.

The pregnant females were separated from others and that day was

counted as day zero of pregnancy.

The pregnant female mice were divided into three groups, two

treated, and one control group. The first group (24 females) were given

Reference

1. Ahmed R. Al-imaidi and Mohammed Umar.King Saud University college of Science. Zoology

Department, Saudi Arabia. Safe Use of Salajeet During The Pregnancy Of Female Mice

250mg/kg of shilajit solution. The second group (20 female) were given

500 mg/kg of Shilajit solution. The third group is the control one (27

females) were given water only (vary from 0.02-0.05 ml as volume). Shilajit

was administered orally (via force feeding tube) for five days starting

from day 8 to 12 of pregnancy and. The females were dissected at day

seventeen of pregnancy and number of litters, weight with placenta,

number of resorbed embryo, and the weight gain in the females from day

8th to 17th day of pregnancy were studied. The embryos were checked for any

morphological abnormalities in development.

The total of 71 pregnant female mice were studied, all the two

treated and control group of animals show no differences in the mean

number of the litter size. The placenta, the body weight of the embryos,

and the number of dead embryos at day 17 of gestation ( the day of

dissections) showed no differences between the treated and control group.

There was no difference in the female body weight gain (from day 8 to

day 17 of gestation) between the treated groups (15-17 gm) and control

group (17.5 gm).

36

Regarding the abnormal development of the embryos, in the treated

group (250mg/kg) there was one embryo with a hernia and one with a

microcephaly. The (500 mg /kg) treated group showed only one embryo with

abnormal eyes, while the control group showed one with ectopic pregnancy,

one with excencephaly and one with a hernia.

Both treated and control group showed a few abnormally developed

embryos This can be considered that they might occur normally , or due to

some genetic abnormalities or other factors but not to the use of the

Shilajit itself. Again the finding of this study is similar to the study done by

Ghosal et al who had concluded that the use of Shilajit in the treatment of

various diseases is not associated with any side effect on pregnancy and

reproduction.

The results of this study confirm the safety of Shilajit. Due to the large

molecular weight of the Shilajit compound, it is prevented from reaching the

embryo by the placental barrier and it confirmed the fact that the Shilajit

to be devoid of any teratogenicity.

This study has been done only in animals. The effect of shilajit during

pregnancy has not been studied in human beings and no data is available

regarding the safety of shilajit during pregnancy. There are no case reports from

any where from the world about the developmental abnormalities that may result

due to the intake of shilajit during pregnancy. Until conclusive evidence is

available regarding the safety of shilajit during pregnancy, it is better to avoid it

during pregnancy or use it only after consulting your doctor.

Studies on the functional and morphometric changes induced by shilajit

Shibnath Ghosal et al from the Department of Pharmaceutics, Banaras

Hindu University, India conducted a study on Shilajit induced morphometric and

functional changes in mouse peritoneal macrophages in 19941.

37

The dose-and-time-dependent effects of processed shilajit (SJP) on

morphometric and functional changes of mouse peritoneal macrophages were

evaluated. Several dynamic aspects of cellular modulations were observed in

response to SJP treatment (0.025-900 mcg per mouse, i.p.) for different periods

of time (0 min to several hours). A plausible mechanism of drug-receptor

interactions, involving different types of transition states, is postulated. Dose and

time dependent bond formation-deformation in the complex transitions were

Reference

1. Shibnath Ghosal, Sraboni Baumik, Sukumar Chattopadhyay. Shilajit induced morphometric

and functional changes in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Phytotherapy Research (May

1995), Volume 9, Issue 3 , Pages 194 – 198

reflected in the morphometric and functional manifestations of the adherent cells.

These findings suggest the necessity of carefully determining the dose and

period of administration of shilajit even when accepted as a panacea.

A similar study was done by Sraboni Bhaumik et al from Division of

Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jadhavpur University,

India and the Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Technology, Banaras

Hindu University, India1. The effect of processed shilajit (SJ-P) was evaluated on

murine peritoneal macrophages and on the cohabiting fibroblasts. The study

revealed a dynamic aspect of modulation of the peritoneal cells by SJ-P (200-600

mcg/mouse), when administered intraperitoneally. The findings further suggested

that by carefully determining the dose, SJ-P can be used in wound healing and in

related inflammatory disease states.

Studies done on the effects of Mumie (Russian shilajit) on bone formation

38

Cho Rok Jung et al from the Immunomodulation Research Center and

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Korea and Altai State

Technical University, Russia conducted a study on Osteoblastic differentiation of

mesenchymal stem cells by mumie extract2. Mumie, a plant humus matter from

rocks, is known as anabolic and a stimulator of bone regeneration in the Russian

and Indian systems of health and medicine. The water-soluble fraction of mumie

from Uzbekistan was characterized using HNMR and infrared spectroscopic

methods.

The mumie extract has been investigated for its effect on osteoblastic

differentiation in cell culture assays of human and murine mesenchymal stem

Reference

1. Sraboni Bhaumik, Sukumar Chattopadhyay, Shibnath Ghosal. Effect of Shilajit on Mouse

Peritoneal Macrophages. Phytotherapy Research (Dec 1993), Volume 7, Issue 6, Pages 425 –

427

2. Cho-Rok Jung, Igor A. Schepetkin, Sang B. Woo, Andrei I. Khlebnikov, Byoung S. Kwon.

Osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by mumie extract. Drug

Development Research (Nov 2002). Volume 57, Issue 3, Pages 122 – 133.

cells. The calcium deposition and expression of alkaline phosphatase,

osteocalcin, core binding factor 1 (Cbfa1), and ERK have been studied. During

the 14-day assay period, human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs)

and human fetal osteoblasts cultured with mumie (3-5 µg/ml) underwent a

dramatic change in cellular morphology, which was accompanied by a significant

increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, and osteocalcin

expression.

The expression of core binding factor 1 and ERK were enhanced in

hMSCs and murine pluripotent mesenchymal precursor cell line C2C12. Dose-

dependent decrease in TRAP-positive multinucleated cell formation from

macrophage-like cells RAW 264.7 was observed with increasing concentration of

mumie in the presence of RANKL (40 ng/ml) and PD98059 (10 µM), a specific

inhibitor of ERK activity. The data suggest that mumie is a potent stimulator of

osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and inhibitor of

osteoclastogenesis, hence it maybe of clinical benefit in the treatment for

osteoporosis in human.

39

Studies done on the effects of shilajit on biogenic free radicals

Bhattacharya et al from Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical

Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, India and the Department of

Pharmaceutics, Banaras Hindu University, India conducted a study on the effects

of shilajit on biogenic free radicals in 19931. The radicophilicity (antiradical-

antioxidant effects) of processed shilajit (SJP) to oxygen-derived free radicals

and nitric oxide (NO), and the attendant H2O2 cleaving effect were evaluated.

Shilajit provided complete protection to methyl methacrylate (MMA) against

Reference

1. Salil K. Bhattacharya, Ananda P. Sen, Shibnath Ghosal. Effects of shilajit on biogenic free

radicals. Phytotherapy Research (Feb 1995), Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages 56 – 59

hydroxyl radical-induced polymerization and acted as a reversible NO-

captodative agent. Shilajit (20 and 50 mg/kg/day, i.p., for 21 days) induced a

dose-related increase in super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and

glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities in frontal cortex and striatum of rats. The

data were comparable to those of deprenyl (2 mg/kg/day, i.p., for 21 days) in

respect of SOD and CAT activities. These findings are consistent with the

therapeutic uses of shilajit as an Ayurvedic rasayan (rejuvenator) against

oxidative stress and geriatric complaints.

Yamini B. Tripathi from the Biochemistry Section, Department of

Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University,

India investigated the effect of shilajit on lipid peroxidation and glutathione

content in rat liver homogenate1. It inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by cumene

hydroperoxide and ADP/Fe++ complex in a dose dependent manner. It also

reduced the rate of oxidation of reduced glutathione content and inhibited

ongoing lipid peroxidation, induced by these agents immediately after its addition

to the incubation system.

40

Studies done on the effect of Shilajit in controlling allergic reactions

Allergic reactions occur when the inflammatory cells overreact to

allergens. These are hypersensitivity reactions of the immune system. Type I

hypersensitivity reaction is called anaphylaxis. Mast cells release histamine

which is responsible for symptoms. The same chemical is responsible for the

manifestations of various allergic disorders like asthma. Shilajit is known to

prevent the release of histamine from the mast cells and thus prevent the onset

of symptoms in allergic patients.

Reference

1. Yamini B. Tripathi, Savita Shukla, Savita Chaurasia, Shashikant Chaturvedi. Antilipid

Peroxidative Property of Shilajit. Phytotherapy Research (May 1996), Volume 10, Issue 3,

Pages 269 – 270

Shibnath Ghosal et al from the Department of Pharmacology, Institute of

Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, India and the Department of

Pharmaceutics, Banaras Hindu University, India conducted a study on the Mast

cell protecting effects of shilajit and its constituents in 19892. The effects of

shilajit and the combined effects of its main constituents, fulvic acids (FAs), 4 -

methoxy-6-carbomethoxybiphenyl (MCB) and 3,8-dihydroxy-dibenzo-α-pyrone

(DDP), were studied in relation to the degranulation and disruption of mast cells

against noxious stimuli. Shilajit and different combinations of FAs, MCB and DDP

provided statistically significant protection to antigen-induced degranulation of

sensitized mast cells, markedly inhibited the antigen-induced spasm of sensitized

guinea-pig ileum, and prevented mast cell disruption induced by compound

48/80. The findings are appraised in view of the clinical use of shilajit in the

treatment of allergic disorders in Ayurvedic medicine.

Studies done on the effects of shilajit on genitourinary system

41

Prostate is a gland present in males along their urinary tract. The gland

enlarges in size as the person becomes older causing obstruction to the urinary

tract. This enlargement of prostate gland is called benign prostatic hyperplasia.

There are many drugs like finasteride which are very useful but not without any

side effects. Shilajit is found to be very effective in the treatment of benign

prostatic hyperplasia.

Andriukhova NN conducted a study on the treatment of benign prostatic

hyperplasia using the Mumie (Russian shilajit) -Vitas preparation2. Overall thirty-

eight patients presenting with stage I-II benign prostate hyperplasia received

Reference

1. Shibnath Ghosal, Jawahar Lal, Sushil K. Singh, Gautam Dasgupta, Joydeep Bhaduri, Mita

Mukhopadhyay, Salil K. Bhattacharya. Mast cell protecting effects of shilajit and its

constituents. Phytotherapy Research (1989), Volume 3, Issue 6 , Pages 249 – 252

2. Andriukhova NN. The treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia using the Mumie-Vitas

preparation. Lik Sprava. 1997 Nov-Dec ;( 6):129-32.

treatment with a preparation called Mumiyo-Vitas, 0.2 g, on a once–or-twice

daily basis over six months. Effects were studied of the compound on the

urologic symptomatology and quality of life of patients presenting with ongoing

micturitional disturbances, functional state of detrusor vesicae, prostate volume

and urethral resistance. Efficiency of the treatment given was assessed by the

International system, uroflowmetry, ultrasonic investigation. Mumiyo-Vitas

appeared to be of therapeutic benefit in those patients with subjective and

objective symptoms of the urinary bladder obstruction that had innocent prostate

hyperplasia.

Studies done on the effects of Mumie (Russian shilajit) on the immune

system

42

Schepetkin IA et al from the Immunomodulation Research Center,

University of Ulsan, Korea conducted a study on the Characterization and

biological activities of humic substances from mumie1. Mumie, a semi hard black

resin formed by long-term humification, is believed to have therapeutic

properties. Although mumie has been used in folk medicine since ancient times,

there is little information available concerning the physicochemical properties of

its constituents and the mechanisms of its therapeutic efficacy. For this study,

crude mumie was fractionated into fulvic acid (FA), humic acid (HA), humin,

hymatomelanic acid, and two low molecular weight fractions (LMW1 and LMW2).

The FA fraction was divided into five sub fractions, FA1-FA5. The mumie

fractions were characterized by IR, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Total

carbohydrate content in the fractions was analyzed using the phenol reaction

method.

Reference

1. Schepetkin IA, Khlebnikov AI, Ah SY, Woo SB, Jeong CS, Klubachuk ON, Kwon BS.

Characterization and biological activities of humic substances from mumie. J Agric Food

Chem. 2003 Aug 27; 51(18):5245-54.

The relative content of polar groups and non-polar hydrocarbon fragments

in the mumie fractions correlated well with solubility in an aqueous medium.

Biological characterization was performed using only the FA fractions. FA1 and

FA2 enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide

in murine peritoneal macrophages, as determined with the use of 2', 7’-

dichlorofluorescin diacetate and Griess reagent, respectively. The enhancement

of ROS and nitric oxide production correlated with the level of total carbohydrates

in the fractions. Murine splenic lymphocytes treated with FA1 showed a dose-

dependent increase in [(3) H] thymidine uptake. These findings suggest that FA

derived from mumie has immunomodulatory activity.

43

Arifkhanova SI conducted a study on the correction of immunologic

deficiency in experimental tuberculosis and chronic effect of pesticides1. The

paper deals with the findings of comparative morphologic and immunologic

studies of immunomodulatory therapy for experimental tuberculosis on chronic

exposure to pesticides (alpha-3) of 117 guinea pigs receiving decaris

(levamisole), as an immunostimulator, and "mumiyo-acil" ( Russian shiljait) , as a

biostimulator. The specific features of every pathogenetic drug's effect on the

tuberculous inflammation morphology, cellular-tissue reactions, cellular immune

response and repair processes were defined. An optimum effect in the treatment

of the pesticide-induced experimental tuberculosis can be achieved by the use of

anti-bacterial drugs and "mumiyo-acil".

Studies done on the effects of Mumie (Russian shilajit) on metabolic

processes

Shvetskii AG et al conducted a study on the effect of the nonspecific

biogenic stimulators pentoxyl and mumie on metabolic processes2. Nonspecific -

Reference

1. Arifkhanova SI, Vakhidova GA. Correction of immunologic deficiency in experimental

tuberculosis and chronic effect of pesticides. Probl Tuberk. 1991 ;( 5):61-4.

2. Shvetskiĭ AG, Vorob'eva LM. Effect of the nonspecific biogenic stimulators pentoxyl and

mumie on metabolic processes. Vopr Med Khim. 1978 Jan-Feb; 24(1):102-8.

-biogenic stimulants (pentoxyl and mumie) accelerated metabolism of nucleic

acids and protein in rat liver tissue. After the treatment with the stimulants the

rate of lipolysis exceeded that of lipogenesis. Increase in content of lactate was

similar if glycogen and glucose-6-phosphate were used as substrates of

glycolysis, but it was stimulated 2-3-fold, when glucose was used; the

phenomenon appears to be due to activation of hexokinase.

As shown by polarographic measurements mitochondrial respiration was

increased in all the metabolic states, but increased doses caused an inhibition of

phosphorylation apparently due to functional overstrain of mitochondria.

Increased doses of the stimulants accelerated also some other metabolic

processes studied, but the effects were not dose-dependent. Pentoxyl and

Mumie apparently increased processes of protein and nuclei acid metabolism

and stimulated the energy-providing reactions.

44

Chapter 4: Shilajit and Health

Decades of clinical research on shilajit has shown remarkable effects on

humans. It increases longevity, improves memory and cognitive ability, reduces

allergies and respiratory problems, reduces stress, and relieves digestive

troubles. It is an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and it eliminates free radicals1.

Shilajit increases immunity, strength, and endurance, and lives up to its ancient

reputation as the "destroyer of weakness."1

In its raw form, Shilajit is a semi-hard, brownish black to dark, greasy,

black resin that has a distinctive smell and taste2. Traditionally considered a

panacea and a strong kidney tonic, it increases the core energy responsible for

sexual desire and power, the same force that is withered by stress and anxiety2.

Some of the health benefits of shilajit3 include –

Shilajit helps accelerate processes of protein and nuclei acid metabolism

and stimulates energy providing reactions.

Shilajit counteracts diabetes and regulates the blood sugar level.

Shilajit purifies blood, improve functioning of pancreas and strengthen

digestion.

Shilajit reduces fat, dissolves tumors, and counteracts thirst.

Shilajit promotes the movement of minerals, especially calcium,

phosphorous, and magnesium into muscle tissue and bone.

Shilajit stimulates the immune system

Shilajit improves recovery after exercise

Shilajit increases levels of growth hormone in diabetic patients

Shilajit is a potent anti-ulcer agent

References

1. www.drhartman.com

2. www.chakrapaniayurveda.com

45

3. www.herbscancure.com

Shilajit's overall action is as a slight laxative, respiratory stimulant,

disinfectant & expectorant, intestinal antiseptic, and it is a diuretic. It has been

said in ancient Ayurvedic texts like Charak, that there is hardly any curable

disease which cannot be assisted with the aid of Shilajit. General debility and

fatigue is among the list of ailments which can be helped with Shilajit. There is

also extensive mention of Shilajit as a powerful aphrodisiac and restorer of

youthfulness in the Kama Sutra - the most widely read treatise on sex.

Shilajit has many healing properties. The basic mechanisms by which it

brings about positive changes in health are –

It restores the electrical potency of the cells in the body

It effectively balances the energy metabolism

It reduces the stress on the internal organs

Shilajit Patents

The health benefits of shilajit are so numerous and so effective that many

corporations have begun to patent the various preparations of shilajit. A lot of

patents have been submitted to the United States Patents & Intellectual Property

Rights Department on Shilajit. Proofs were provided on various benefits of shilajit

like its effectiveness in treating diabetes mellitus, preventing the effects of aging,

its adaptogenic properties, and many others. All these claims have been verified,

approved and patents have been issued by the United States Patent and

Trademark Office1.

There are two current patents on shilajit that have been approved by the

United States Patent and Trademark Office1. They are –

Patent number : 5405613

Patent number: 6440436

Reference

1. www.rudramani.com

46

Patent 54056131

This patent has been assigned to a vitamin and mineral composition of

Creativ

his is what the abstract says about his patented preparation –

‘The product is a composition comprising Shilajit or an extract thereof in a

vitamin

The patent was applied on January 22 1993 and the patent was verified and

app

Reference

e Nutrition Canada Corp. (Uxbridge, CA).The inventor was David

Rowland.

T

and/or mineral preparation. Shilajit is a compact mass of vegetable

organic matter, composed of a gummy matrix interspersed with vegetable fibers

and minerals. Substances which have been identified in Shilajit include moisture,

gums, albuminoids, calcium, potassium, nitrogen, silica, resin, vegetable matter,

magnesium, sulphur, iron, chloride, phosphorous, iodine, glycosides, tannic acid,

benzoic acid and a number of vitamins and enzymes. The invention further

relates to a method to restore energetic balance or intensity, or to support or

enhance a bioenergetic field in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal

an effective amount of Shilajit or an extract thereof’.

nd

roved on 11th April 1995. The claim was that the preparation is a composition

comprising iron Shilajit in a multi vitamin and/or mineral preparation wherein the

Shilajit is present in a concentration of between 0.4 and 10.0 per cent of the total

weight of the composition and the multi vitamin and/or mineral preparation

comprises vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Niacinamide,

Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese,

Zinc, and/or Selenium, and wherein the composition is in the form of a solid

formulation for oral administration.

1. www.uspto.gov

47

The inventor of the preparation David Rowland has described the

background of his invention as follows –

- The invention relates to the use of Shilajit or extracts thereof in vitamin

and/or mineral compositions; to vitamin and/or mineral compositions

containing Shilajit or extracts thereof; and, to methods to restore

energetic balance or intensity, or to support or enhance a bioenergetic

field in a mammal using Shilajit or extracts thereof

- In the Eastern world, a compound known as Shilajit (silajit) has a history

of use as a folk remedy for various disorders, including genito-urinary

diseases, diabetes, gall stones, jaundice, enlarged spleen, fermentative

dyspepsia, worms, digestive disorders, piles, epilepsy, nervous

disorders, eczema, anemia, anorexia, asthma etc. Shilajit has also been

used as a tonic to help retain youthful vigor. Shilajit has been

administered either by itself or in combination with certain other

ayurvedic (herbal) medicines.

- Shilajit is a natural exudate ejected from rocks during hot weather in the

lower Himalayas, Vindhya and other mountain tracts and Nepal, or it

may be a tar formed in the earth from the decomposition of vegetable

substances. Shilajit also contains benzoic acid, a compound which,

along with its derivatives, has been used as a component of nutritional

vitamin and mineral preparations.

48

- Shilajit over and above its nutritional and herbal content has novel

energetic properties. Measurement of subtle energy changes indicate

that Shilajit has a vibratory field that is substantially stronger than any

vitamin, mineral, food substance or herb. Its vibratory field is also

stronger than the vibratory fields of any of the known ingredients which

make up Shilajit, when these ingredients are tested as pure substances

from non shilajit sources.

- When a small amount of Shilajit is added to a vitamin or mineral

preparation, the energetic properties of the vitamin or mineral

preparation are enhanced. In particular, the present inventor has found

that the addition of a small amount of Shilajit to a vitamin or mineral

preparation increases the energy field of the entire preparation to at or

near the vibratory level of pure shilajit.

- The addition of Shilajit to vitamin or mineral preparations imparts to the

preparations an energetic quality above and beyond their nutritional

content. As well, the energetic quality of Shilajit-fortified vitamin and

mineral preparations support or enhance a user’s bioenergetic field.

The composition of the invention may be prepared by mixing the various

components of the composition using conventional methods. In particular, the

various components of the composition of the invention may be mixed in powder

form and/or encapsulated and/or pressed into solid form preparations such as

tablets or pills. The compositions of the invention are intended for administration

to humans or animals.

Patent number: 64404361

49

This patent has been assigned to a delivery system for pharmaceutical,

nutritional and cosmetic ingredients Natreon Inc. (New Brunswick, NJ)

Indian Herbs Research & Supply Company Ltd. (Saharanpur, IN). The inventor

was Shibnath Ghoshal. This is what the abstract says about his patented

preparation:

‘ The product is a stable, water-soluble delivery system of a purified Shilajit

composition obtained by extraction of native Shilajit, containing at least 40% by

weight of a carrier which is purified fulvic acid, characterized by having a sponge-

like structure punctured by voids of about 200-1000 .ANG. in diameter, and a Mn

molecular weight of about 700-2500; and an effective amount of an active

pharmaceutical, nutritional or cosmetic ingredient added to said carrier and filling

voids therein’.

The patent was applied for on 18th May 2001 and the patent was verified

and approved on 27th August 2002.

It is a delivery system of wherein the active ingredient is selected from the

group consisting of analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, anthelminathics, anti-

arrhythmic agents, anti-bacterial agents, anti-viral agents, anti-coagulants, anti-

depressants, anti-diabetics, anti-epileptics, anti-fungal agents, anti-gout gents,

Reference

1. www.uspto.gov

anti-hypertensive agents, anti-malarials, anti-migraine agents, anti-muscarinic

agents, anti-neoplastic agents, erectile dysfunction improvement agents,

immunosuppressant, anti-protozoal agents, anti-thyroid agents, anxiolytic agents,

sedatives, hypnotics, neuroleptics, beta-blockers, cardiac inotropic agents,

corticosteroids, diuretics, anti-Parkinson agents, anticancer drugs, gastro-

intestinal agents, histamine receptor antagonists, keratolytics, lipid regulating

agents, anti-anginal agents, cox-2-inhibitors, leukotriene inhibitors, macrolides,

muscle relaxants, nutritional agents, opioid analgesics, protease inhibitors, sex

hormones, stimulants, muscle relaxants, anti-osteoporosis agents, anti-obesity

agents, cognition enhancers, anti-urinary incontinence agents, nutritional oils,

anti-benign prostate hypertrophy agents, essential fatty acids, non-essential fatty

acids, sunscreens, antioxidants, anti-aging compounds and mixtures thereof.

50

The inventor of the preparation, Shibnath Ghosal, has described the

background of his invention as follows –

- This invention relates to delivery systems for active ingredients, and, more

particularly, to a water-soluble delivery system for pharmaceutical, nutritional

and cosmetic active ingredients, which includes a purified Shilajit composition

obtained by extraction from native Shilajit containing a carrier which is

purified fulvic acid, and, wherein the active ingredient is added to and present

in voids of the carrier.

- Native Shilajit is a blackish-brown exudation, of variable consistencies,

obtained from steep rocks of different formations found in the Himalayas at

altitudes between 1000-5000 m, from Arunachal Pradesh in the East, to

Kashmir in the West. Shilajit also is found in other mountain ranges of the

world, e.g. Afghanistan (Hindukush, Badakh-Shan), Australia (Northern

Pollock Ranges), and in the former USSR (Tien-Shan, Pamir, Caucasus, and

Ural). Native Shilajit is believed to arrest aging and also produce

rejuvenation, two important attributes of an Ayurvedic rasayan medicine.

Considerable controversy, however, has existed in the literature concerning

the nature and chemical character of Shilajit. It has been variously described

as bitumen (asphalt), a mineral resin, a plant fossil, a substance of mixed

plant and animal origin, or an inorganic substance.

51

- Generally, native Shilajit contains two classes of organic compounds,

namely, (a) humic substances and (b) non-humic organic metabolites. Humic

substances are the major organic constituents of native Shilajit, present in an

amount of about 80-85% therein; these substances have molecular weights

ranging from several thousand for humic acids (HAs), to up to several million

for polymeric humins (HMs) and only a few hundred for its fulvic acid

component. Humic substances also are found in soils and sediments

distributed over the earth's surface, occurring in almost all terrestrial and

aquatic environments. Sedimentary rock humic substances are produced by

the interactions of marine fossils, plants, algae and mosses (bryophtes) with

microorganisms, by a process known as humification. Humification of latex

and resin-bearing plants is primarily responsible for the production of water-

soluble humic substances.

- The non-humic substances of Shilajit are low molecular weight compounds of

marine fossil, plant and microbial origin, occurring in and around Shilajit-

bearing rocks. The remaining non-humic organic masses in Shilajit comprise

a mixture of low M.sub.w aromatic, aliphatic alicyclic and heterocyclic (N- and

S-containing) compounds. Of particular biological interest are low M.sub.w

oxygenated dibenzo-.alpha.-pyrones (DBP) and hydroxyacetophenones

(HAPs).

- The biological effects of Shilajit are believed to be due to the two distinct

classes of bioactive compounds, namely: (i) DBPs, both mono- and bis-

compounds thereof, in free and metal-ion conjugated forms; and (ii) fulvic

acids (FAs) from Shilajit-humic substances, which function as a carrier for the

bioactive DBPs. However, native Shilajit rhizospheres from different origins

suffer from the presence of only small amounts of such bioactive compounds.

Large amounts of contaminants, e.g. high M.sub.w polymeric quinones,

humins (HMs), and inorganic substances; however, are present. Shilajit

rhizospheres also are heavily infested at its periphery with a large array of

microorganisms, some of which are producers of mycotoxins. Thus, the

potential risk of ingesting Shilajit in its native form, or only after rudimentary

purification, with no control or defined standards, is quite apparent.

- What is provided in this invention is a stable, water-soluble delivery system

which includes

52

o A purified Shilajit composition preferably containing at least 40% by

weight of purified fulvic acid carrier, obtained by extraction of native

Shilajit so that the fulvic acid carrier is substantially without bioactive

components therein. The purified fulvic acid carrier is characterized by

having a sponge-like structure punctured by voids of about 200-1000

.ANG. in diameter and a molecular weight, Mn, of about 700-2500,

(Mn is a number average molecular weight)

o An active material - e.g. a water-insoluble ingredient, added to and

filling voids in the purified fulvic acid carrier.

There are a few other inventions which are not patented by the United

States patent and Trademark office.

Patent number 200301986951

A herbo-mineral composition which includes a mineral-complexing agent

which is purified Shilajit containing dimeric and/or oligomeric dibenzo-.alpha.-

pyrones (DBPs), and, optionally, in synergistic combination with an extract of

Reference

1. http://www.freepatentsonline.com

Emblica officinalis containing gallo/ellagi-tannoids (GET), and, one or more

added minerals, such as iron, copper or chromium. The composition in the

example where the added mineral is iron is particularly effective in treating iron-

deficiency anemia by rapidly absorbing ferrous iron into the blood stream without

side effects.

Patent number WO20050419901

53

The invention relates to a composition containing Shilajit or the extract

thereof, which has the activity of enhancing the metabolic function of the entire

body, resulting in an improvement in sexual function and an increase in

reproductive function, and thus has effects on nutritional tonic, sexual function

improvement, infertility treatment and the like.

Shilajit and anti-aging2

Aging is an inevitable process. From the time we are born, each and every

cell in our body works relentlessly to carry out various important functions of the

body. They assimilate the vital nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, fat,

minerals and vitamins. They utilize oxygen to carry out the cellular functions.

During the process many unwanted substances called free radicals are formed.

The free radicals and other toxic substances are eliminated from the body. These

two important but entirely different functions of the body are called –

Anabolism- where the calories are utilized for building up tissues

Catabolism – where the tissues are broken down for recycling the

vital nutrients and to excrete toxic metabolites

Reference

1. www.espacenet.com

54

2. www.rudramani.com

The central nervous system controls all these functions through nerve

fibers. This is a well balanced activity. But as a person becomes older

chronologically, the balance is disturbed. The assimilation of vital nutrients gets

affected and the excretion of toxic metabolites is also hampered. This leads to

the accumulation of various toxic substances including the free radicals which

produces the various symptoms of aging.

Some physiology literature says that the vigor and performance peaks at

21 years in males and 18 years in females. After these ages, though the body

functions well, it does not operate up to its full potential. And over the next couple

of years and decades, slowly deteriorates, producing the symptoms of aging. The

stress of Modern day life, pollution, lack of exercise and orientation towards junk

food aggravates the process of aging & degeneration further.

Wrinkles on skin, thinning hair, receding hemlines and tendency to put on

more weight in spite of consuming less food, decreasing energy & stamina,

decrease in level of sexual life, susceptibility to major degenerative ailments are

the signs that mean that the aging process is setting in our body. Many diseases

occur as a result of aging. Some of the well known diseases of old age and aging

which cause significant damage to the body are1 –

Diabetes – In this the glucose metabolism is affected and the high

blood glucose damages almost all the vital organs in the body

including heart, kidneys, nerves and eyes

Hypertension – In this the blood pressure increases above the

upper normal limit. Like diabetes , it damages almost all the vital

organs in the body

Dementia – In this the intellectual capacity is affected and the

patient may suffer from memory loss and inability to carry out

routine tasks

Reference

1. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine

Alzheimer’s disease – It is one of the causes of dementia, which is

not treatable

Osteoporosis – In this the matrix substance the calcium substance

is decreased in the bones. These patients are more prone for

fractures of the bones

Osteoarthritis – In this the two opposing surfaces of the bones

especially the weight bearing joints like knee joint get eroded

leading to the deformity of the joint surface. This causes

excruciating pain while walking

55

Cancer – In this condition, the cells go out of control and multiply on

their own, depleting the resources of the normal cells. Though

some of them are treatable, most of the cancers have poor

outcomes

Parkinson’s disease – This is another form of dementia which also

has other symptoms like tremors, diminished voluntary

movements

Coronary artery disease – Coronary arteries are the blood vessels

that supply blood to the heart tissue. In coronary artery disease, the

blood vessels get blocked affecting the normal functioning of the

heart. In severe cases, the patient succumbs to the disease

It has been said that most of the disease conditions occur as a result of a

deficiency in minerals. Our body cells need minerals more than anything else if

we have to arrest the natural degeneration process and stay young for a very

long time. Minerals act as the catalysts for metabolic reactions and biological

functions within the body and are required for the assimilation of all vitamins.

Without minerals, vitamins are not of any use. Though many take mineral

supplements, most of the time they are not fully effective. This is because most

of the preparations are in the inorganic ion forms which are less effective. For a

mineral to be very effective, it has to be supplied in the organic ion form.

Shilajit contains 85 types of minerals in natural ionic form which are very

vital for maintaining the equilibrium of energy metabolism in our body1. The

minerals in Shilajit are not similar to the mineral supplements available anywhere

else. These minerals are in ionic form and have previously been absorbed by rich

plant life and returned back to earth. So they are easily absorbed by the body

cells.

56

Ghosal et al from the R and D Centre, Indian Herbs, Saharanpur, India did a

comparative study on the ancient and the modern scientific findings of shilajit2.

Comparison of the findings on the origin, chemical characters, purification,

formulation, odor, and mechanism of biological actions of Shilajit of the ancient

Ayurvedic texts (ca. 1000yr B.C. to 14th Century A.D.) and by modern scientific

research, revealed several remarkable similarities not projected before. This

review of the ancient Ayurvedic texts also brings forth a number of major

deficiencies in the hitherto reported Hindi and English versions of the ancient

literatures on shilajit. The more important parallel findings of the ancient and the

modern research bear directly on the purification and formulation of shilajit, and

the ability of shilajit as a carrier of other drug molecules. The biological effects of

shilajit revealed by modern research lend credence to its anti-aging and

rejuvenating properties as claimed in Ayurveda.

One of the most important constituents of shilajit is fulvic acids. Fulvic

acid is turning in to a health miracle of the 21st century. Scientists and doctors

have turned their attention towards this wonder mineral and many have started

doing extensive research on it. Fulvic acid found in shilajit is absorbed completely

from the gut as opposed to the fulvic acid that is available commercially. Fulvic

acid acts as carrier molecule and transfers many minerals across the cell

membrane and makes them available for metabolic processes. Since all the

minerals are made

Reference

1. www.ayurvediccure.com

2. S. Ghosal, J. P. Reddy, V. K. Lal. Shilajit I: Chemical constituents. Journal of

Pharmaceutical Sciences (May 1976). Volume 65, Issue 5, Pages 772 – 773

available, the process of aging is delayed and sometimes even reversed. Shilajit

can significantly reduce the chances of developing degenerative ailments like

Cancer, Diabetes, heart diseases, osteoporosis, joint pains, and dementia.

Fulvic acid which is an important component of shilajit is believed to bring

about rejuvenation in the following ways1 –

It increases the energy and stamina

It increases the bioavailability of vital nutrients including minerals

It transports the nutrients in to the cells

It acts a powerful natural electrolyte

It restores electrochemical balance

It acts as an antioxidant and eliminates the free radicals which cause

damage to the cells

57

It increases the synthesis of DNA and RNA and increases the metabolism

of proteins

It activates various enzyme systems in the body which participate in

important chemical reactions

It boosts the immune system and prevents infection

moves heavy metals and other dangerous It acts as a chelator and re

toxins from the body

It keeps the essential nutrients in the active form for a longer period of

time

In a nut shell, shilajit is effective in preventing and reversing aging process

by –

Providing 85 different minerals in the ionic form

Fulvic acid transporting the various minerals across the cell for better

functioning of the cell

By maintaining the equilibrium between anabolism and catabolism

ceReferen

1. www.rpcshilajit.com

ary tract infection & kidney stones

Urinary tract infection is a common infection which manifests itself with

nfection is more

commo

ry infection is usually treated with antibiotics for 5-7 days, plenty of

oral fluids and a urine alkalinizing agent. But these days this treatment is not

successful in all the patients. This is due to the fact that the organism that causes

Shilajit and Urin

burning micturition and lower abdominal pain. Urinary tract i

58

n among women than men. This is because their urethra is short, their

urinary opening is very close to the anal opening from where it gets contaminated

with bacteria, and also they don’t have the protective secretion which men have

from their prostate. The most common organism that causes urinary infection is

the E coli.

Urina

urinary

ves the burning sensation associated with urinary tract

osts the immunity and gets rid of the organism causing the urinary

tract i

Referen

tract infection develops resistance to the antibiotics that are used to treat

the infection. Many patients resort to alternative treatment like herbal therapy for

treating urinary tract infection nowadays. Shilajit is very effective in the treatment

of urinary tract infection.

Shilajit was initially used to treat diabetes, genito-urinary diseases and for

rejuvenation. Shilajit relie

infection1. It bo

nfection. Shilajit acts as a diuretic and flushes out the pathogenic

organisms from the urinary tract.

Shilajit also dissolves stones that are formed in the kidney substance and

along the urinary tract1.

ce

1. www.ayurvediccure.com

hilajit and Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high

defects in insulin secretion, or action, or

both. Diabetes mellitus commonly referred to as diabetes was first identified as a

diseas

ed by the specialized cells of the pancreas. Insulin lowers the blood

glucose level.

S

blood sugar levels, which result from

59

e associated with “sweet urine. Elevated levels of blood glucose referred

to as hyperglycemia lead to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the term

sweet urine.

Normally, blood glucose levels are tightly controlled by insulin, a hormone

that is produc

Insulin is released into the blood by beta cells (β-cells) in the pancreas in

response to rising levels of blood glucose (e.g., after a meal). Insulin enables

most body cells (about 2/3 is the usual estimate), including muscle cells and

adipose tissue to absorb glucose from the blood for use as fuel, for conversion to

other n

e known as hyperglycemia. Diabetes

affects 15 million people (about 8% of the population) in the United States. In

additio

eeded molecules, or for storage. Insulin is also the principal control signal

for conversion of glucose to glycogen for internal storage in liver and muscle

cells. Reduced insulin levels result both in the reduced release of insulin from the

beta cells and in the reverse conversion of glycogen to glucose called

gluconeogenesis when glucose levels fall.

In patients with diabetes, the insulin is either absent, relatively insufficient

for the body's needs, or not used properly by the body. All of these factors cause

elevated levels of blood glucose otherwis

n, an estimated 12 million people in the United States have diabetes and

are not yet diagnosed1 .

Reference

1. www.mayoclinic.com

In 2006, according to the World Health Organization, at least 171 million people

suffer from diabetes. Its incidence is increasing rapidly, and it is

he year 2030, this number will double. Diabetes mellitus

occurs throughout the world, but is more common in the more developed

ricans is estimated to be 10%, in Hispanics 15%, and

in certain Native American tribes 20% to 50%.

worldwide

estimated that by t

countries Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in the United States after

heart disease and cancer.

The prevalence of diabetes in persons 65 to 74 years of age is nearly

20%. Compared with 6% prevalence in Caucasians, the prevalence in African

Americans and Asian Ame

60

There are two major types of diabetes -

Type 1 diabetes or also called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

(IDDM), or juvenile onset diabetes mellitus

 In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas undergoes an autoimmune

itself, and is rendered incapable of

30 years of age, however,

attack by the body

making insulin. Type 1 diabetes tends to occur in young,

lean individuals, usually before

older patients do present with this form of diabetes on

occasion

Type 2 diab

mellitus (NI



over 30 years old and the incidence increases

Reference:

etes was also referred to as non-insulin dependent diabetes

DDM), or adult onset diabetes mellitus (AODM).

While it is said that type 2 diabetes occurs mostly in

individuals

with age

1. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine

The other types of diabetes are –

Gestational diabetes - Blood sugar elevation during pregnancy is called

gestational diabetes. Diabetes can occur temporarily during pregnancy.

Secondary diabetes – This occurs due to other diseases like chronic

pancreatitis, Acromegaly, Cushing syndrome etc

The mainstays in the treatment of diabetes mellitus are –

Diet modification

Exercise

Oral anti-diabetic drugs

Insulin injections

61

The faith in alternative medicine is rising very steeply and it is estimated

that as much as 50% of the American people are using some form of alternative

treatment. The alternative medicine for treating diabetes is basically divided in to

two

categories:

nettle and okra.

Those that can control the blood sugar levels - minerals like chromium,

magnesium, vanadium and zinc and plant foods like fenugreek seeds,

peas, brewer’s yeast, buckwheat, broccoli, garlic, ginger, ginseng,

hawthorn,

Those that help in weight loss and thus indirectly control diabetes -

extract of Hoodia gordonii, chitosan, camsogia garcinia, pyruvate,

germander, Momordica charanta, Sauropus androgynus and aristolochic

acid.

treatm

shilajit

Sushrutha. Shilajit was initially used only to treat diabetes and genitourinary

bnormalities till all its other uses were found out by scientists later.

the patients

more prone for heart diseases.

Shilajit has a unique mode of action and it is used for both prevention and

ent of diabetes mellitus. Ayurvedic system of medicine has been using

for the treatment of diabetes for past 3000 years since the days of

a

Shilajit is especially useful in the treatment of Type II or the Maturity onset

diabetes mellitus. It has got a multifaceted action. It not only reduces the blood

glucose levels in the diabetic patients but also controls the blood lipids which are

also increased in the patients with diabetes. High lipid levels make

62

Many studies have been done on the effect of shilajit in treating diabetes and

its signs and symptoms. The inference of some of the well known studies

include-

Shilajit produces a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and also

00 mg/kg) with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day) or metformin (0.5

level

Reference

produced beneficial effects on the lipid profile1. The maximum effect was

observed with the 100 mg/kg/day dose of shilajit. Combination of shilajit

(1

gm/kg/day) significantly enhanced the glucose-lowering ability and

improvement in lipid profile than any of these drugs given alone. The

hypoglycemic effect of shilajit (100 mg/kg) is significantly higher than that

of metformin (500 mg/kg). But the combination of shilajit with metformin

produced no further significant reduction in the blood glucose

compared to that produced by shilajit (100 mg/kg) alone. Shilajit is thus

very effective in controlling blood glucose levels and improves the lipid

profile.

1. Goel RK, Banerjee RS, Acharya SB. Antiulcerogenic and anti-inflammatory studies with

shilajit. J macol. 1990 Apr; 29(1):95-103. Ethnophar

Shilajit decreases the increased turnover of super oxide anion, as is

reflected by the decreased demand of the enzyme super oxide

dismutase (SOD). Up regulation of catalase activity in the initial phases

perhaps obviates the need for antioxidant enzymes in later steps1.

cordifolia, Eclipta alba, Ocimum sanctum and Picrorrhiza kurroa) had

63

Overall, shilajit results in the reduction of lipids per-oxidation. Thus,

processed shilajit may be of value as a dietary supplement for

modulating diabetes status, as well as for the prevention of diabetes

complications, which is a real challenge for the present-day

diabetologist.

Trasina (combination of Shilajit, Withania somnifera, Tinospora

little per se effect on blood sugar concentrations and islet SOD activity in

euglycemic rats, in the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o. administered

once daily for 28 days. However, these doses of TR induced a dose-

Reference

related decrease in STZ hyperglycemia and attenuation of STZ induced

decrease in islet SOD activity. The results indicate that the earlier

reported anti-hyperglycemic effect of TR may be due to pancreatic islet

free radical scavenging activity, the hyperglycemic activity of STZ being

the consequence of decrease in islet SOD activity leading to the

accumulation of degenerative oxidative free radicals in islet beta-cells.

1. Nidhi Saxena, PHD, Upendra N. Dwivedi, PHD, Raj K. Singh, PHD, Arvind Kumar, MD,

Chhavi Saxena, MSC, BAMS, Ram C. Saxena, MD and Mona Saxena, PHD. Modulation of

Oxidative and Antioxid ative Status in Diabetes by Asphaltum Panjabinum. Diabetes Care,

2003, 26:2469-2470.

2. Bhattacharya SK, Satyan KS, Chakrabarti A. Effect of Trasina, an Ayurvedic herbal

formulation, on pancreatic islet super oxide dismutase activity in hyperglycemic rats.

Indian J Exp Biol. 1997 Mar; 35(3):297-9.

Long-term treatment with shilajit increases the number of cells in the

lls with prompt secretion of a large quantity of

insulin in response to hyperglycemia1.

Many co

medicine

medicine alternative medicine it is devoid

f any serious side effects. Moreover it is very effective in controlling blood

gluco

pancreas, i.e. pancreatotrophic action, which may result in better

sensitivity of pancreatic ce

Many people as said earlier are laying more trust on alternative medicine.

mbine the conventional treatment with complementary and alternative

(CAM). Shilajit which is considered a panacea is an alternative

for treating diabetes. Like most of the

o

64

se, serum lipids and other complications of diabetes as per the various

studies mentioned above.

Because of all these factors, shilajit can be tried alone or in combination

with the conventional oral anti-diabetic drugs. One should always try to work with

his/her physician to monitor the blood glucose level periodically while on shilajit,

as they may develop decreased blood glucose levels during the treatment. This

is more dangerous than the high blood glucose of diabetes mellitus. So the best

thing to do is consult a doctor before starting on shilajit and to get his opinion

periodically while on treatment with shilajit.

Reference

1. Gupta SS. Effect of Shilajit, Ficus Bengalensis & ant. Pituitary extract on glucose tolerance in

rats. Indian J Med Res 1966; 54:354-66.

Shilajit and Parkinson’s disease

rkinson’s disease is a disease of aging. This disease was originally

–

Pa

described by James Parkinson and hence named after him1. There are two

systems of nerve fibers in the brain

Pyramidal system

Extra –pyramidal system

The pyramidal system controls the voluntary movements of the body. The

extra-pyramidal system controls the involuntary functions like posture and

equilibrium s a disease of the extra pyramidal system. In

this disea he ‘Nigro-striatal dopaminergic neurons’

degenerate producing symptoms.

. Parkinson’s disease i

se the nerve cells called t

65

Parkinson’s disease occurs mainly in the middle aged and elderly. It is one

of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. It is estimated that 1-2% of

those above 65 years of age are affected by this disease1. Symptoms start to

occur when 60-80% of the nerve fibers get degenerated. Parkinsonism is also

seen as a complication of treatment with drugs like tranquilizers1.

The signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are very striking and

include the following1 –

Decreased movement of the body (bradykinesia) and difficulty in

s like the normal unconscious movements such as

swinging the arms during walking, the facial expressions related to

Reference

initiating voluntary movements. There is a decrease in associated

movement

emotional content of thought and speech

dical Physiology by William Ganong, 22nd edition 1. Review of Me

Rigid body – The rigidity is called lead pipe rigidity and cog wheel

rigidity

Tremors – The tremors occur at rest. But when the person starts to

use his limbs, the tremor disappears. The tremors occur at a rate 8

The extra-pyramidal system has two sets of nerve fibers which are in

equilibrium

per minute

. They are –

Excitatory cholinergic fibers

Inhibitory dopaminergic fibers

In

signs and symptoms. The conventional treatment of

Par

Parkinson’s disease, there is an imbalance between these sets of fibers

resulting in the various

kinson’s disease include –

L-Dopa

66

Surgeries like pallidotomy, dopaminergic tissue implant

Injection of neurotrophic factors

Though many different treatment options are available, in most of the

cases e lts. Alternative

medici patients in reducing symptoms and

improv

ery useful in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

They a

th treatment has to be given life long with varying resu

ne like shilajit offers hope in these

ing the quality of life.

Studies conducted at the Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research,

Department of Neurochemistry, University of Leipzig, Germany by Schliebs et al

have found that shilajit is v

dministered shilajit at doses of 40 mg per kilogram body weight for 7 days.

Administration of Shilajit led to reduced acetyl cholinesterase staining. In

Parkinsons’ disease, the cholinergic system is overactive and shilajit controls it

and thus relieves symptoms. The results were better when shilajit was combined

with Withania somnifera (Indian Ginseng)

Reference

1. Schliebs R, Liebmann A, Bhattacharya SK, Kumar A, Ghosal S, Bigl V. Systemic

administration of defined extracts from Withania somnifera (Indian Ginseng) and Shilajit

differentially affects cholinergic but not glutamatergic and GABAergic markers in rat brain.

Int. 1997 Feb; 30(2):181-90. Neurochem

Another study conducted by Bhattacharya and Kumar from The

Department of Pharmacology, Banaras Hindu University, India in 1997 to see the

effect of Trasina, an ayurvedic herbal formulation1. Trasina is a combination of

Shilajit

, Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Eclipta alba, Ocimum sanctum

and Picrorrhiza kurroa. Trasina (200 and 500 mg/kg) was administered orally

once daily for 21 days. The drug effectively controlled the cholinergic action in

the brain. As said earlier increased cholinergic activity is one of the main causes

of the symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.

Thus shilajit can be used to control the disease process and relieve the

symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease, either alone or in combination

with Withania somnifera.

67

Shilajit and Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is also a disease of aging. Alzheimer’s disease is a

rain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described

United States Ronald Reagan suffered

from A

unting for 50-60% of

e cases. It is present in about 17% of the population aged 65-69 years. Its

inciden

b

it in 1906. The former president of the

lzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by progressive

loss of short term memory followed by general loss of cognitive and other brain

functions, the need for constant care and eventually death.

It was originally characterized in the middle aged people. Alzheimer’s

disease is the most common cause of senile dementia acco

th

ce increases steadily with age and in those who are 95 years and older,

the incidence is 40-50%1.

Reference

1.Bhattacharya SK, Kumar A. Effect of Trasina, an ayurvedic herbal formulation, on

experimental models of Alzheimer's disease and central cholinergic markers in rats. J

Altern Complement Med. 1997 Winter; 3(4):327-36.

2. Review of Medical Physiology by William Ganong, 22nd edition

More than 5 million Americans now have Alzheimer’s. Although symptoms can

vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough

to affect their work, lifelong hobbies or social life. As the disease progresses,

process of aging. But serious memory loss, confusion

and ot

other symptoms include confusion, trouble with organizing and expressing

thoughts, misplacing things, getting lost in familiar places, and changes in

personality and behavior.

It is not clear what leads to the various signs and symptoms of

Alzheimer’s disease. Though brain changes like slowed thinking and memory

loss is normal during the

68

her major changes in the way our minds work are not a normal part of

aging. These indicate that the patient is developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in

damaging and killing nerve cells.

Plaques – These contain deposits of a protein fragment called beta-

amyloid

Tangles – These are twisted fibers of another protein called tau

with A tend to develop far more. The plaques and tangles tend to form

in a d memory

and

Though most people develop some plaques and tangles as they age, those

lzheimer’s

predictable pattern, beginning in areas important in learning an

then spreading to other regions.

The signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are divided in to two

categories. They are –

Cognitive symptoms – These affect memory, language, judgment,

planning, ability to pay attention and other thought processes.

Behavioral and psychiatric symptoms- These affect the way one feel

elief in

Reference

and act. The patient may experience irritability or anxiety, depression,

sleep disturbances, agitation, hallucinations ,delusions (b

experiences or events that are not real)

f Medical Physiology by William Ganong, 22nd edition 1. Review o

eimer’s disease include the following The conventional treatment for Alzh

drugs –

Cholinesterase inhibitors like Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine

Memantine

Antidepressants

Anxiolytics

Anti-psychotics

Among the alternative shilajit is well known for its beneficial effects in

arresting nd relieving symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The

following t of shilajit in treating patients with

Alzheimer’s disease –

the progression a

69

wo studies proved the benefit

ing and memory-improving effects of shilajit. They

Schliebs et al from the Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research,

Department of Neurochemistry, University of Leipzig, Germany conducted

a study on shilajit to see its effects on the brain1. They confirmed the

cognition-enhanc

attributed these effects to of shilajit on the cortical and basal forebrain

cholinergic signal transduction cascade.

ergic markers in rats2. Frontal

Referen

Bhattacharya and Kumar from The Department of Pharmacology, Banaras

Hindu University, India conducted a study in 1997 to see the effect of

Trasina, an ayurvedic herbal formulation, on experimental models of

Alzheimer's disease and central cholin

cortical and hippocampal ACh concentrations, ChAT activity and MCR

binding was significantly reduced after colchicine treatment. Trasina (200

and 500 mg/kg) reversed these deficits after 14 and 21 days of treatment.

ce

1. Schliebs R, Liebmann A, Bhattacharya SK, Kumar A, Ghosal S, Bigl V. Systemic

administration of defined extracts from Withania somnifera (Indian Ginseng) and Shilajit

differentially affects cholinergic but not glutamatergic and GABAergic markers in rat brain.

Neurochem Int. 1997 Feb; 30(2):181-90.

2.Bhattacharya SK, Kumar A. Effect of Trasina, an ayurvedic herbal formulation, on

experimental models of Alzheimer's disease and central cholinergic markers in rats. J

Altern Complement Med. 1997 Winter; 3(4):327-36

Shilajit & Withania Somnifera combination has been proven to be

Shilajit as an aphrodisiac and fertility

y as an aphrodisiac. An aphrodisiac is an

ent which increases sexual arousal. The name comes from the Greek goddess

sensuality, Aphrodite. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors

ble and/or pleasurable.

However, from a historical and scientific standpoint, the desired results may be

extremely beneficial in healing, arresting and preventing brain degenerative

ailments of Alzheimer's disease.

agent

Shilajit is being used by man

ag

of

70

have had a reputation for making sex more attaina

becaus

Ref

e their users have chosen to believe they will be effective (the placebo

effect). Medical science has not substantiated claims that any particular food

increases sexual desire or performance. However a fairly new drug called

Bremelanotide seems to be the first real aphrodisiac. Its effect stimulates sexual

desire in men and women, and clinical trials are currently testing it for the

treatment of sexual arousal disorder and erectile dysfunction. Some of the well

known aphrodisiacs include – Ashwaganda, Asparagus Chocolate Damiana

Eurycoma longifolia Ginkgo biloba Ginseng Kava Maca, Mama Juana, Oysters,

Yohimbene, Eringoes, Potatoes, Spanish fly, Rhinoceros Horn, Turtle eggs,

Truffles, Fish Milt and Sea Cucumber1

There is also extensive mention of Shilajit as a powerful aphrodisiac and

restorer of youthfulness in the Kama Sutra - the most widely read treatise on

sex. Shilajit increases the sex drive. It increases the fertility of the person and

increases the sperm count in men.2

erence

1. www.wikipedia.org

2. Park JS, Kim GY, Han K. The spermatogenic and ovogenic effects of chronically

administered Shilajit to rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Oct 11; 107(3):349-53

Shilajit is also well known for its effectiveness in the treatment of reproductive

men and women. Its combination with

ving elongated

sensual experience. It is also used to prepare various herbal oil preparations,

wh

system related complaints for both,

Ashwagandha helps in rejuvenating the reproductive system. It also minimizes

the debility or weakness in the sexual organs and helps in impro

71

ich are used to massage the sexual organs, which increases sexual power1.

There are a few studies done on the effects of shilajit on fertility. The

following are some of the findings of the study –

The study conducted by Park JS et al (October, 2006) from College of

testes and epididymides was

ignificant higher than in the control2.

Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, South Korea showed that in

male rats the number of sperms in the

s

and in three out of nine rats in the

control.

In the female rats, the effect of Shilajit was estimated by the ovulation

inducing activity. Over a 5-day, ovulation was induced in seven out of nine

rats in the Shilajit administration group

eference

Shilajit had both a spermiogenic and ovogenic effect in mature rats.

R

1. w .ww natural-cure-guide.com

2. Park JS, Kim GY, Han K. The spermatogenic and ovogenic effects of chronically

administered Shilajit to rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Oct 11; 107(3):349-53.

Shilajit – the Panacea

In Greek mythology, Panacea (Greek Πανάκεια, Panakeia) was the goddess of cures.

She was the daughter of Asclepius, god of medicine, and the granddaughter of Apollo,

god of healing (among other things).

Panacea and her five sisters each performed a facet of Apollo's art: Panacea was the

goddess of cures, Iaso was the goddess of recuperation, Hygieia was the goddess of

disease prevention, Aceso was the goddess of recovery, Meditrina was the goddess of

longevity, and Aglaea was the goddess of natural beauty.

Panacea also had four brothers — Podaleirus, one of the two kings of Tricca, who had a

flair for diagnostics, and Machaon, the other king of Tricca, who was a master surgeon

72

(these two took part in the Trojan War until Machaon was killed by Penthesilea, queen of

the Amazons); Telesphoros, who devoted his life to serving Asclepius; and Aratus, her

step-brother, who was a Greek hero and the patron/liberator of Sicyon.

Panacea was said to have a poultice or potion with which she healed the sick. This

brought about the concept of the panacea.

Improvement of memory –

Shilajit is used for improving memory and to support general mental

s this

traditional use. Schliebs et al from the Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain

Research, Department of Neurochemistry, University of Leipzig, Germany

lajit to see its effects on the brain1. They

con

emory function. Some of the important

neurot

Referen

functioning and for stress recovery. Contemporary research support

conducted a study on shi

firmed the cognition-enhancing and memory-improving effects of

shilajit. They attributed these effects to effect of shilajit on the cortical and

basal forebrain cholinergic signal transduction cascade. They conducted

the study in rats. They administered shilajit at doses of 40 mg per kilogram

body weight for 7 days.

Shilajit has the property of crossing the blood brain barrier and

enter the brain substance and protect the brain against free radical injury.

Also there are chemical substances in the brain called the

neurotransmitters which are essential for the normal functioning of the

brain including the m

73

ransmitters in this regard are acetyl choline (Ach) and L-DOPA.

Acetyl choline gets metabolized by an enzyme called acetyl choline

esterase. Shilajit inhibits this enzyme so that acetyl choline is not

metabolized. This results in an increased level of acetyl choline in brain.

Shilajit also prevents L-DOPA from getting oxidized. Common

memory lapses occur due to an imbalance of these powerful

neurotransmitters. Shilajit helps in maintaining the balance of these

chemicals and thus help improve memory.

ce

1. Schliebs R, Liebmann A, Bhattacharya SK, Kumar A, Ghosal S, Bigl V. Systemic

administration of defined extracts from Withania somnifera (Indian Ginseng) and Shilajit

differentially affects cholinergic but not glutamatergic and GABAergic markers in rat brain.

Neurochem Int. 1997 Feb; 30(2):181-90.

Shilajit is a significant anti-oxidant. It is very similar to procyanidins

ing agent. During the process a lot of by-

radicals are formed. These free radicals can damage

the tis

As an antioxidant –

an anti-oxidant found in pine barks and grape seed extract. Oxidation is a

process where electrons are transferred from a substance to another

chemical called the oxidiz

products called free

sues. An anti-oxidant is a substance which neutralizes these free

radicals1.

Shilajit acts as an anti-oxidant and prevents the damage caused by

the free radicals. This anti-oxidant property of shilajit is utilized to treat

memory disturbances, boost immunity and prevent the effects of aging

process.

As an

conditi

may be caused by a blow or wound, eye surgery, a disease such as a virus,

bacteria infection, or a parasite. It is a process by which the body’s white blood

cel a fection and foreign substances such as

bacter

y’s defense system (immune system)

inappr

anti-inflammatory agent –

Shilajit has been used traditionally to ameliorate inflammatory related

ons. Inflammation is the body’s response to injury. This injury, or trauma,

ls nd chemicals protect us from in

ia and viruses. It is the body’s attempt to rid itself of the cause of trauma,

and to heal any damage caused by it.

Often, however, the inflammation itself can damage the body. When

inflammation occurs normally, chemicals from the body’s white blood cells are

released to protect us from foreign substances. Sometimes, however, the white

blood cells and their inflammatory chemicals cause damage to the body’s

tissues. In some diseases the bod

74

opriately triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign

Reference

1. www.wikipedia.org

2. www.rpcshilajit.com

3. Robbin’s Pathology of Diseases

substances to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases,

the body’s normally protective immune system causes damage to its own

as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal.

y pain, redness, swelling, warmth and loss of

functio

ilajit is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It prevents the unwanted

other study, shilajit was shown to reduce the swelling associated with

inflammation by 76%.

hritis, obesity, hypothyroidism, gall

stones, cancer, hypertension, healing of bone fractures, tuber

tissues.

The body responds

Inflammation is characterized b

n.

Sh

side effects of inflammation. Many studies have shown that shilajit has significant

anti-inflammatory properties. Goel et al has proved its anti-inflammatory effects in

rats. In an

Shilajit is also useful in the treatment of diarrhea, parasites or worm

infections, digestive problems, jaundice, neurasthenia, epilepsy, stress,

nervous depressions, skin diseases, respiratory problems such as asthma,

bronchitis, anemia, menorrhagia, art

culosis, and

leprosy.1

Reference

1. www.rudramani.com

75

Chapter 5: Shilajit Preparations

Shilajit is obtained in crude form rocky terrains like the Himalayan

Mountains. Though they have health benefit as found out by various studies, the

shilajit extracted from the rocky terrains are not pure and they are mixed with

many other substances of

sometimes be ls and fungal

toxins1

g fungi and fungal toxins . Good quality Shilajit is then standardized to

guarantee consistent levels of the active ingredients.

from different countries,

exhibits overtly different levels of bioactivity. According to Shibnath Ghosal et al

from th

s

the region from where they are extracted which may

toxic also. Unpurified shilajit itself contains free radica

.

Approximately 40% of the raw material remains after extraction. Proper

extraction is very important to guarantee a consistent high level of active

ingredients, remove inactive substances and harmful free radicals and mycotoxin

producin 1

Shilajit has been marketed either alone or with other medicinal herbs and

sometimes even with other minerals and vitamins depending on the purpose it

has to serve. In a few preparations it has been used only for its carrier properties.

Shilajit, a panacea of oriental medicine, collected

e Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu

University, India and the Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical

Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, India, there is a need for formulation of

Shilajit by its isolated active constituents2.

The effects of shilajit, collected from India, Nepal, Pakistan and Soviet

Russia, and the effects of organic constituents isolated from a potent shilajit

sample, were studied in a number of anti-stress and CNS activity paradigms.

Reference

1. www.drhartman.com

2. Shibnath Ghosal Jawahar Lal, Sushil K. Singh , Raj K. Goel, Arun K. Jaiswal, Salil K.

Bhattacharya . The need for formulation of Shilajit by its isolated active constituents.

Phytotherapy Research (Oct 1991), Volume 5, Issue 5 , Pages 211 – 216

76

Shilajit

ino

raint stress and aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in pylorus ligated albino

d the learning acquisition and memory retention in old rats.

from Kumaon (India), Dolpa (Nepal), and a combination (1:1) of the total

ethyl acetate extracts (TE) and fulvic acids, from Kumaon shilajit, produced

statistically significant effects in forced swimming-induced immobility in alb

mice; rest

rats; and augmente

The potential risk of ingesting shilajit, in the native form as a health product , was

appraised in view of its high stable free radical content and possible

arge amounts of contaminants like high polymeric quinones, humins, and

inorga

be a water-soluble delivery system has the following features-

eference

contamination with mycotoxin-producing fungi.

Hence, there is an imperative need for formulation of shilajit on the basis

of its isolated active constituents (TE and fulvic acid). Additionally, the physical

and spectral characteristics of active Fulvic acid (bioactivity-directed) were

determined and compared with those of less active and inactive samples. These

would provide predictability for selection of fulvic acid for formulation of shilajit.

L

nic substances are present. Shilajit rhizospheres also are heavily infested

at its periphery with a large array of microorganisms, some of which are

producers of mycotoxins. Thus, the potential risk of ingesting Shilajit in its native

form, or only after rudimentary purification, with no control or defined standards,

is quite apparent.

There are various methods of purification of shilajit each followed by

various manufacturers. Some of the methods of purification are –

Method 1:1

The native crude shilajit is purified to make it rich in fulvic acid. A purified

shilajit intended to

R

www.uspto.g

77

ov

At least 40% by weight of purified fulvic acid carrier that is

substantially without bioactive components therein. The purified

about 700-2500, (Mn is a number average molecular weight)

fulvic acid carrier has a sponge-like structure punctured by voids of

about 200-1000 ANG in diameter and a molecular weight, Mn, of

An active material, e.g. a water-insoluble ingredient, added to and

Fulvic

in shilajit is ab

commercially erals

across the e

The steps of

filling voids in the purified fulvic acid carrier.

acid is one of the most important constituents of shilajit. Fulvic acid

sorbed completely from the gut than the fulvic acid that is available

. Fulvic acid acts as carrier molecule and transfers many min

c ll membrane and makes them available for metabolic processes.

purification for this preparation of shilajit are –

The shilajit extract is powdered

The powdered shilajit is dissolved in water

The dissolved shilajit is filtered to remove all the insoluble

contaminants

The filtrate is made in to a thick brown viscous residue by

evaporating the water

with a hot organic solvent like

d an insoluble fraction

The residue is then extracted

methanol to obtain a soluble fraction an

containing the humus fraction

is added to the insoluble Shilajit-humic fraction to Dilute NaOH

precipitate polymeric quinones

s acidified to a pH of less than 3. This The alkaline filtrate i

precipitates humic acids and leaves a brown acidic solution of fulvic

acids

ated by passing it over a activated The acidic solution is fraction

78

carbon to provide a solution of low-to-medium molecular weight

fulvic acids

The fulvic acid solution is passed through a H+ ion-exchange resin

to concentrate the fulvic acids in solution

lution is finally evaporated to get a thick product

The pr

without any bioactive contaminants. The active material then is added to the

carrier to v

dissolution in to perform its intended

active fun

The so

oduct thus obtained contains fulvic acid of at least 40% and will be

fill oids in its structure, thus-forming the desired delivery system. Upon

water, the active ingredient is released

ction, e.g. a pharmaceutical, nutritional or cosmetic function.

Some of the examples of the drug delivery system which employ fulvic

acid in shilajit as a carrier molecule for delivering active ingredients are1 –

Purified Fulvic Acid-Glibenclamide Drug Delivery System

Purified Fulvic Acid-Insulin Compositions

Purified Fulvic Acid Pentazocin Compositions

Skin Rejuvenating Lotion

Sunscreen Lotion

Maintenance Multivitamin Tablets

Vitamin B-Complex Capsules

Multi-Mineral Tablets

Fulvic acid - Folic Acid Tablets

Tablets Fulvic acid Coenzyme Q-10

Fulvic acid Coenzyme Q-10 Tablets

Fulvic acid Folic Acid Syrup

Fulvic acid Coenzyme Q-10 Suspension

Fulvic acid Methotrexate Tablets

Reference

Fulvic acid Mamoxiphen Citrate Tablets

1. www.usp o

79

to.g v

Method 21

Thi ared to the above mentioned one.

The steps c

:

s method is rather simple when comp

in lude –

The raw shilajit is extracted with water and iron shilajit is obtained

The extracted Shilajit is then treated with a mixture of three herbs known

trifla, which includes amla (emblica officinalis), bahera (terminalia

, and haritaki (terminalia belerica), to remove possible

minants.

as

chebula)

conta

Labora

gram a

mentioned above. According to Rowland who patented his invention, when a

small amount of shilajit is added to a vitamin or mineral preparation, the energetic

pro

Also the energetic

uality of Shilajit-fortified vitamin and mineral preparations support or enhance a

user's

The purified Shilajit which is obtained is then dehydrated to remove

moisture

The Shilajit produced and refined by this method is almost totally sterile.

tory analysis reveals that it has a bacterial count of only 50 colonies per

nd a yeast/fungus count of only 10 colonies per gram.

Shilajit is dispensed either alone or in combination of other drugs as

perties of the vitamin or mineral preparation are enhanced. The addition of

Shilajit to vitamin or mineral preparations imparts to the preparations an

energetic quality above and beyond their nutritional content.

q

bioenergetic field.

Shilajit is dispensed as capsules, tablets, syrups, elixirs, purified extract all

these alone or in combination with active ingredients like vitamins, minerals or

other drugs.

Reference

1. www.uspto.gov

80

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is a pale-brown to blackish-brown exudation, of variable

iginating from layers of rocks in many mountain ranges of the

world, especially the Himalayas and Hindukush ranges of the Indian

subcontinent. It is also found in Afghanist istan,

Tibet and some ), as well as in

orway, where it is gathered in small quantities from steep rock faces at altitudes

5000 m. Its healing properties have been known for

centur

hilajit is rich in minerals. Scientific research has shown that the active

ingred

nd to boost the memory and immunity.

Are th

of plant materials in the deeper layers of rocky terrains. The controversy

consistency, or

an, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pak

regions of the former USSR (Caucasus, Ural

N

between 1000 and

ies.

According to Sanskrit literature, shilajit has been described as “Conqueror

of mountains and destroyer of weaknesses.” In ancient India, it was considered a

panacea for all diseases. It was believed that no major disease was curable

unless and until shilajit was included in the drug preparation. Shilajit has been

used for more than 3000 years now.

S

ients of shilajit consist of dibenzo-alpha-pyrones and related metabolites,

small peptides (constituting non-protein amino acids), some lipids, and carrier

molecules (fulvic acids). Standard shilajit contains at least 5-7% dibenzo-alpha-

pyrones. Shilajit is being used to treat respiratory problems, diabetes, loss of

libido, to prevent the effects of aging, a

81

ere different types of shilajit?

Initially there was confusion over whether shilajit is a herb, a mineral, or a

fossil. Now research has shown that it is a herbo-mineral. It means shilajit

essentially is composed of minerals that are accumulated due to decompostion

continued until the mid 1980s when it was finally established that shilajit contains

plant extracts of recent origin. Most of the information about shilajit is from the

search done by the scientists from the Banaras Hindu University. According to

s responsible for the major organic

ma

racted in

Nepal, especially those obtained at the altitudes of 12000 -13000 feet. Many

dis

it, or moomiyo.

What is the dosage of shilajit that has to be taken?

re

them, humification of resin-bearing plants wa

ss of shilajit - about 80 per cent of the humus component. The amount and

composition of the remaining organic mass, which is a mixture of low molecular

weight compounds, varies depending on where the shilajit comes from.

The composition of shilajit is influenced by factors such as plant species

involved, geological nature of the rock, local temperature profiles, humidity and

altitude. Although the composition varies from place to place, the physiological

properties of shilajit are due to compounds such as the dibenzo-a-pyrones, along

with triterpenes and phenolic lipids. Fulvic acids may also have a physiological

role, acting as carrier molecules for the more bioactive smaller compounds. The

highest level of therapeutic ingredients is obtained from the shilajit ext

tributors process these to make them healthier, and some even add

ashwagandha, which adds to its benefits.

Ancient Hindu writers have mentioned four types of shilajit - Gold shilajit

(red), Silver shilajit (white), Copper shilajit (blue) and Iron shilajit (blackish

brown). Blue and red shilajit are not found commonly, as the most commonly

available variety is iron shilajit. From the therapeutic point of view, it is

considered to be the most active form. In addition, a few sources mention

another type of shilajit called Russian shilaj

82

Shilajit can be taken for both preventive health and for treating disease

conditions like respiratory problems, stress, diabetes, allergies and loss of libido.

It can also be used to boost memory, improve the immunity, to prevent the

effects of aging, and to enhance physical endurance. For preventive health it has

to be taken in the dose of 300 mg per day. For treating diseases, it has to be

continued for at least 6-8 weeks before seeing any benefits though many

experience relief from the symptoms earlier than that. It has to be taken two

reach maximum

levels

ancient medicine which has been under use for more than

3000 y ars now. It is one of the important components in the Ayurvedic system

of me

ny one can take shilajit – young or old, healthy or sick. But not many

ument the possibility of side effects. So it is

better

d sugar levels

period ally if they plan to take shilajit. Shilajit is known to decrease the blood

sugar

control.

times a day. This is because shilajit takes about 12-14 hours to

in the blood.

Traditional healers recommend starting the drug at a dosage of 300 mg in

two divided doses per day, and slowly increasing the dose at the rate of 100 mg

per day until the beneficial effects are obtained. Some have taken even up to

1000 mg in order to get good results.

Is shilajit a safe supplement?

Shilajit is an

e

dicine. The Ayurvedic system of medicine is one of the world's oldest

medical systems. No side effects have been reported with the use of shilajit in

any literature, even in the ancient literature related to Ayurveda.

A

studies have been done to clearly doc

to consult the family physician before taking shilajit to know whether it is

safe especially in those who are pregnant, those who breastfeed their babies and

those who have serious illness and are under treatment for it.

People who have diabetes should monitor their bloo

ic

83

levels and so is being used by diabetic patients who have high blood sugar

levels. But since a low blood sugar level is also hazardous, these patients who

are on shilajit should have to monitor their blood sugar levels to keep it under

How does shilajit act?

Shilajit is rich in minerals. The active principle of Shilajit is fulvic acid. In

ancien

Ayurveda, shilajit is classified under ‘Rasayanas’ which are reputed to

romote physical and mental health, improve defense mechanisms of the body,

se attributes are similar to the modern concept of

adapto

he “modes of action” of shilajit include boosting the immune system,

hormo

the free radicals are

neutralized by chemical substances called anti-oxidants.

rain barrier and entering the brain in

order to protect it against free radical injury. Also, there are chemical substances

ential for the normal

functioning of the brain, including memory function.

t India, it was considered a panacea for all diseases. It was believed that

no major disease was curable unless and until, shilajit was included in the drug

preparation. According to Sanskrit literature, shilajit has been described as

“Conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weaknesses.”

In

p

and enhance longevity. The

genic agents, which are known to afford protection to the human

physiological system against diverse stressors. An adaptogen is a substance

which helps normalize the body’s functions such as blood pressure, hormone

levels, energy production, sleep/wake cycles and digestion.

T

nal regulation, antioxidant, adaptogen, trace mineral source, antiseptic and

it acts as a carrier for other supplements.

How does shilajit help in improving memory?

During the metabolism of the cells, many unwanted chemical substances

called free radicals are formed. These free radicals damage the cells and affect

the normal functioning of the cells. The deleterious effects of

Shilajit acts as an anti-oxidant and neutralizes the free radicals. Shilajit

has the property of crossing the blood b

84

in the brain called neurotransmitters which are ess

Some of the important neurotransmitters in this regard are acetyl choline

(Ach) and L-DOPA. Acetyl choline gets metabolized by an enzyme called acetyl

choline esterase. Shilajit inhibits this enzyme so that acetyl choline is not

metabolized. This results in an increased level of acetyl choline in the brain.

Shilajit

tem and also prevent

allergic symptoms?

Likewise, over-activity of these cells results in allergic reactions. In allergic

actions, the basophils get converted in to mast cells and they open up to

rgic symptoms. Thus shilajit, by these ways, boosts immunity and

prevents allergies.

also prevents L-DOPA from getting oxidized. Common memory lapses

occur due to an imbalance of these powerful neurotransmitters. Shilajit helps in

maintaining the balance of these chemicals and thus helps improve memory.

How does shilajit boost the immune sys

There are three types of cells in the blood – red blood cells, white blood

cells and platelets. Likewise there are five different types of white blood cells –

neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocyte and monocytes. White blood

cells are related to immunity. They control infection by warding off the bacteria

and viruses.

re

release histamine, which results in the various symptoms of allergies.

Shilajit, which is considered a panacea, improves immunity by increasing

the activity of the white blood cells. The increased activity of white blood cells

prevents bacteria and viruses from entering the blood stream. Shilajit also

stabilizes the mast cells and prevents the release of histamine from them, thus

preventing alle

85

How

at these ulcers result from an infection caused by bacteria

alled helicobacter pylori.

Shilajit helps in treating and preventing ulcers by increasing the secretion

he walls of the

stomac

und, eye surgery, a disease such as a virus, bacteria

infection, or a parasite. It is a process by which the body’s white blood cells and

chemic

Often, however, the inflammation itself can damage the body. When

ells are

release

immune system causes damage to its own tissues.

The body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal.

does shilajit help in the healing of peptic ulcer?

A Peptic ulcer occurs in the stomach and duodenum. In a normal person,

the mucosa of the stomach and duodenum are protected against the damage

caused by acid by a layer of mucus. A Peptic ulcer occurs when the protective

mucosal lining gets breached by the acid secreted within the stomach. Newer

findings suggest th

c

of the protective mucus. The increased mucus forms a coat along t

h and the duodenum and prevents the formation of ulcers. It also hastens

the healing of already formed ulcers.

How does shilajit prevent inflammation and its ill effects?

Inflammation is the body’s response to injury. This injury, or trauma, may

be caused by a blow or wo

als protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and

viruses. It is the body’s attempt to rid itself of the cause of trauma, and to heal

any damage caused by it.

inflammation occurs normally, chemicals from the body’s white blood c

86

d to protect us from foreign substances. Sometimes, however, the white

blood cells and their inflammatory chemicals cause damage to the body’s

tissues. In some diseases the body’s defense system (immune system)

inappropriately triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign

substances to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the

body’s normally protective

Inflamm

, shilajit is a significant anti-oxidant. It is very similar to procyanidins,

an anti-oxidant found in pine barks and grape seed extract. Oxidation is a

proces

Shilajit acts as an anti-oxidant and prevents the damage caused by the

hilajit is utilized to treat memory

disturb

set and degree of response

varies in different persons. The response depends on the health status of the

person

and

how the benefits of taking shilajit faster than those who are in good health and

effects, but ideally, the drug has to

ation is characterized by pain, redness, swelling, warmth and loss of

function.

Shilajit is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It prevents the unwanted

side effects of inflammation. Many studies have shown that shilajit has significant

anti-inflammatory properties. Goel et al has proved its anti-inflammatory effects in

rats. In another study, shilajit was shown to reduce the swelling associated with

inflammation by 76%.

Is shilajit a significant anti-oxidant?

Yes

s in which electrons are transferred from a substance to another chemical

called the oxidizing agent. During the process, a lot of by-products called free

radicals are formed. These free radicals can damage the tissues. An anti-oxidant

is a substance which neutralizes these free radicals.

free radicals. This anti-oxidant property of s

ances, boost immunity, and prevent the effects of the aging process.

How long should shilajit be taken?

Shilajit is a herbo-mineral and is considered a panacea. It has to be taken

at the dose of 300 mg per day in two divided doses. The drug has to be taken for

6-8 weeks before any benefit can be seen. But the on

taking it.

It is said that people who are sick and down with diseases respond

s

87

taking shilajit. A few people show immediate

be tak

earlier, initially there was confusion whether shilajit should be

considered a herb or a mineral. But the research done on shilajit has proved that

it is a h

w in that region. The active constituent of shilajit consists

f dibenzo-alpha-pyrones and related metabolites, small peptides (constituting

molecules (fulvic acids).

Humus is any organic matter which has reached a point of stability, where it

will

d humic acid.

en for 6-8 weeks. If you are sick, always ask your health care provider for

advice in using shilajit.

What are the active ingredients of shilajit?

As stated

erbo-mineral. It means that plants and other herbs in the region get buried

deep under the rocks and get decomposed and form shilajit.

The active ingredients depend on the region from where shilajit is extracted

and the plants which gro

o

non-protein amino acids), some lipids, and carrier

Standard shilajit contains at least 5-7% dibenzo-alpha-pyrones. Research done

on shilajit has shown that it is mainly composed of humus along with a few

organic substances.

break down no further and might, if conditions do not change, remain

essentially as it is for centuries or millennia. Humus consists of organic residues

that have lost their original structure following rapid decomposition in the

environment. Its composition changes constantly and it can disappear by slow

decomposition unless new residual matter is incorporated. Among the various

constituents of humus two are very important as far as shilajit is considered.

They are fulvic acid an

88

The humification of resin-bearing plants was responsible for the major

organic mass of shilajit - about 80 per cent of the humus component. The amount

and composition of the remaining organic mass, which is a mixture of low

molecular weight compounds, varies depending on where the shilajit comes

from. The most common low molecular weight compounds present are

oxygenated dibenzo-a-pyrones. So the composition of shilajit is influenced by

factors such as plant species involved, geological nature of the rock, local

temperature profiles, humidity, and altitude.

Wh

Shilajit has been used for more than 3000 years now. It has been

ts like Charak. Shilajit is extracted from rocky

areas

00 m.

What

rare extract which is harvested only twice a year. It is also

alled Shilajit moomiyo extract, Russian Black anabolic extract, Mountain tear,

alsam of rock. Not much was known about this extract of

ere is shilajit extracted?

Shilajit is a form of mineral that drips from the cracks of the rocks during

hot weather. It usually flows during the summer when the mountains get warm. It

is the decomposition of plant matter in the rocks from thousands and ten of

thousands of years in the past. The bio transformed plant matter is extruded from

the rocks by geothermal pressures. It is collected in raw form for further

purification.

mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic tex

especially the Himalayas and Hindukush ranges of the Indian

subcontinent. It can be seen from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Kashmir in

the west. It is also found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet

and some regions of the former USSR (Caucasus, Ural), as well as in Norway,

where it is gathered in small quantities from steep rock faces at altitudes between

1000 and 50

is Momiyo?

Momiyo is the Russian variety of shilajit. A few resources say that Aristotle

had vividly described the utility of Russian shilajit 2500 years ago. However,

Russian shilajit or moomiyo was first introduced to this world in 1910. Various

studies were done by National Science Laboratories using government funding in

the Central Asian countries of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. These are the countries

where the extracts of moomiyo can be found.

Momiyo is a

c

89

Mountain blood, and B

shilajit

jit?

The be

until 1990, when Russian scientists introduced it to the world. It has been

used for more than four decades by the Russian cosmonauts, athletes, and

military personal. It is well known for improving strength, muscle mass, and it

also provides energy during recuperation.

What are the benefits of Russian shila

nefits of Russian shilajit include the following –

It increases the life span

It increases the strength and muscle mass and recuperative powers.

It promotes healing of bone fractures

It boosts the immunity

Why is Russian shilajit believed to increase life span?

The people of the Pamir Mountain Region in the Central Asia routinely use

-15 years above the world

one’s life span.

Ho s?

le growth by radical improvement in

the c s. It improves one’s workload by as much as 15-

7% and dramatically shortens recovery time. It causes an up to 10 percent

thletes have

been u

Yes, Russian Shilajit boosts immunity. Research has shown that patients

specia

Moomiyo in their foods. Their life spans are 10

average. This is proof that Russian shilajit can increase

w does Russian shilajit increase strength and muscle mas

Russian shilajit promotes rapid musc

a tivity of hormone gland

2

increase in the muscle mass. The Russian military and Russian a

sing this extract for more than four decades now.

Does Russian shilajit boost immunity?

taking Moomiyo have significantly increased their concentration of T cells, highly

90

lized immune agents that fight diseases by attacking foreign

microorganisms. Moomiyo helps white blood cells called macrophages work

better and faster. The macrophage’s job is to destroy and digest foreign material.

Moomiyo increases the production of Interleukin (IL-1), a protein that is

leased by the macrophages. Interleukin has important immune enhancing

ells when necessitated by the

threats

What are the types of shilajit that are mentioned in the ancient

Hindu

re

properties. IL-1 alerts the resting white blood c

to the organism and spurs them into action.

Russian cosmonauts also use moomiyo as it facilitates a strong immune

system, sound health, and fast recovery during and after long space journeys.

literature?

There are four different types of shiljait that are described in the ancient

Hindu literature. They are –

Gold shilajit (red)

ilver shilajit (white) S

Copper shilajit (blue)

Iron shilajit (blackish brown)

Among these the blackish brown iron shilajit is considered the most active

form in terms of health benefits. Blue and red shilajit are not found commonly.

Moreo

like plant species involved, geological nature of the

rock, local temperature profiles, humidity and altitude.

Is shilajit used in the treatment of infertility?

Yes, shilajit infertility. Studies conducted by Park et

al

ver, one should remember that the quality of shilajit differs in different

areas depending on factors

91

is used in the treatment of

have shown that they increase the number of sperm cells. It also induces

ovulation. Shilajit thus has both a spermiogenic and ovogenic effect.

Glossary

Acetyl Choline

Acetylcholine was one of the first neurotransmitters to be discovered.

ing Acetylcholine (ACh)

from acetyl-CoA and Choline.

n is a crystalline oxidation product of uric acid. It induces diabetes

experim

ntioxidants

tioxidants are chemical compounds or substances that inhibit oxidation.

They i

Acetylcholine (ACh) was discovered in the 1920s, mak

the first known neurotransmitter. This neurotransmitter can be found in the brain,

neuromuscular junctions, spinal cord, and in both the postganglionic terminal

buttons of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system and the

ganglia of the autonomic nervous system. Acetylcholine (ACh) is synthesized

Adaptogen

An adaptogen is an ergogenic aid (performance-enhancing substance)

derived from natural plants. They increase the body's resistance to stresses such

as trauma, anxiety and bodily fatigue. In the past they have been called

rejuvenating herbs, qi tonics, rasayanas, or restoratives. All adaptogens contain

antioxidants, but antioxidants are not necessarily adaptogens and that is

probably not their primary mode of action.

Alloxan

Alloxa

entally by selective destruction of pancreatic beta cells. It is also known

as mesoxyalyurea.

Antacids

Antacids are medicines that neutralize stomach acid. Antacids are used to

relieve acid indigestion, upset stomach, sour stomach, and heartburn.

A

An

92

nclude substances such as vitamin E, vitamin C, or beta carotene, thought

to protect body cells from the damaging effects of oxidation.

Ayurveda

s an ancient Hindu science of health and medicine.

The Charaka Samhita is an ancient Indian manuscript, originating partly

000 BCE, on Ayurvedic internal medicine. It is believed to be the

oldest

l understanding and

ependent of ancient Greece.

olchicine

a poisonous, pale-yellow alkaloid, obtained from the autumn

crocus

chemical catalysts.

Free r

re unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissues, free

dicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of

diovascular disease, and age-related diseases.

Frontal cortex is part of frontal lobe which is the largest and most anterior

art of each cerebral hemisphere.

Ayurveda i

Charaka Samhita

from early as 1

of the three ancient treatises of Ayurveda. It is central to the modern-day

practice of Ayurvedic medicine; and, along with the Sushruta Samhita it is now

identified worldwide as an important early source of medica

practice, ind

C

Colchicine is

and used in plant breeding to induce chromosome doubling and in

medicine to treat gout.

Enzymes

Enzymes are any of numerous proteins or conjugated proteins produced

by living organisms and functioning as bio

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Arthritic Efficacy and Safety of Purified Shilajit in Moderately Arthritic Dogs

Figures