Abstract
<p>Shilajit (asphaltum) is produced by the long term humification of dead plant material and organic vegetable matter by different micro-organisms and has great potential for the treatment of a variety of human conditions. This treatise reviews its origin, sources, chemical composition, biological and commercial importance. Phytochemical analysis was done by standard methods to evaluate different Shilajit (asphaltum) classes of compounds in different samples of shilajit which are responsible for their biological activity. Shilajit`s anti-microbial activity has been evaluated against four different bacterial strains viz., <em>Escherichia coli, Psuedomonas aeuroginosa</em>, <em>Klebisella pneumonia</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus. </em>Phytochemical analysis illustrated that shilajit contains terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins and reducing sugars. Surprisingly, some classes of compounds are absent in shilajit viz., alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and anthraquinones. . Shilajit showed no response towards halophytic bacteria and negligible activity was shown towards other strains of bacteria. Since anti-microbial activity is based on environmental factors its activity varied between locations.</p>
Highlights
Shilajit is considered as a venerable ancient medicinal practice [1] currently being applied in the Himalayan hills from Nepal to Kashmir, Afghanistan, Russia, India, Bhutan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Algeria, Japan, Tibet, and China [2,3]
The result of phytochemical screening of shilajit sample A revealed the absence of some secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, steroids, tannins, flavonoids and anthraquinones (Table 1)
Some classes of compounds are absent in shilajit viz., alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and anthraquinones
Summary
Shilajit is considered as a venerable ancient medicinal practice [1] currently being applied in the Himalayan hills from Nepal to Kashmir, Afghanistan, Russia, India, Bhutan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Algeria, Japan, Tibet, and China [2,3]. It is used to treat chest problems, diabetes mellitus, nervous disorders, immune disorders, obesity, kidney disorders, asthma, gall stones, painful and bleeding piles, enlarged spleen and liver, fermentative dyspepsia, worms, renal and bladder calculi, nervous debility, sexual neurasthenia, hysteria, bone fracture, moorcha (fainting), female infertility, joint pains, wounds, chronic ulcers and skin diseases [7,8], Shilajit has demonstrated good inhibition against viral enzymes and demonstrated a degree of anti HIV activity [9-11].Shilajit is available in tablet form in medicines such as Abana, Cystone and Diabecon. The selected pathogens are Aspergillus niger, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, halophytic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Kleibesela pneumonie and Staphylococcus aureus
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