Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the main cause of chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Shilajit, a medicine of Ayurveda, on liver damage caused by NAFLD. 40 male Wistar rats (after being established as fatty liver models) were divided randomly into five groups as follows: control, vehicle, high-dose Shilajit, low-dose Shilajit, and pioglitazone. Results showed that Shilajit treatment significantly reduced the values of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, glucose, liver weight, and steatosis, while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) compared with the vehicle group (p <0.05). These findings suggest that Shilajit improved the histopathological NAFLD changes in the liver and indicated the potential applicability of Shilajit as a potent agent for NAFLD treatment.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of Shilajit supplementation at 250 mg/d (low dose) and 500 mg/d (high dose) versus placebo on maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) strength, concentric peak torque, fatigue-induced percent decline in strength, and serum hydroxyproline (HYP). 63 recreationally-active men were randomly assigned to the high dose, low dose, or placebo group. The results of the present study demonstrated that 8 weeks of Shilajit supplementation at 500 mg/d promoted the retention of maximal muscular strength following the fatiguing protocol and decreased baseline HYP. Thus, Shilajit supplementation at 500 mg/d elicited favorable muscle and connective tissue adaptations.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Shilajit supplementation on skin gene expression profile and microperfusion in healthy adult females. Supplementation with Shilajit for 14 weeks was not associated with any reported adverse effects within this period. At a higher dose (250 mg bid), Shilajit improved skin perfusion when compared to baseline or the placebo. This work provides maiden evidence demonstrating that oral Shilajit supplementation in adult healthy women induced genes relevant to endothelial cell migration and growth of blood vessels. Shilajit supplementation improved skin microperfusion.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a worldwide joint disease with clinical loss of motion and pain in humans. The conventional treatments are associated with essential side effects. The present study evaluated the effect of Shilajit, a traditional medicine, on osteoarthritis in a rat model. 36 adult male rats were randomly divided into two groups: OA and treated with Shilajit groups. Aqueous extract of Shilajit was given to the treatment group for 21 days. After 21 days, histopathologic scores of destructive damages and synovitis were reduced in the Shilajit group and showed significant differences compared to the OA group. The present study shows that aqueous extract of Shilajit decreased cartilage degenerative changes in knee osteoarthritis. It also reduced inflammatory reactions in the synovial membrane.

Over the past 10 years, a growing number of studies have been published involving humans, animals, and in vitro systems in support of Shilajit's uses and health-related effects. The current literature regarding the efficacy and safety of Shilajit is reviewed. Animal and human studies support its use as a "revitalizer," promoting physical and mental energy, enhancing physical performance, and relieving fatigue in association with enhanced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Various published research studies indicate that Shilajit exhibits adaptogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and neurological properties. Studies also show that Shilajit enhances spermatogenesis. Based on animal and human studies, the safety of Shilajit is well documented.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the antiviral activity of Shilajit against a panel of viruses including herpes simplex types 1 and 2, human cytomegalovirus, human respiratory syncytial virus, human rotavirus, and vesicular stomatitis virus. The antiviral activity of Shilajit was assayed in vitro by plaque reduction and virus yield assays, and the major mechanism of action was investigated by virucidal and time-of-addition assays. Shilajit exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory activity against all virus infectivity in vitro but was inactive against human rotavirus and vesicular stomatitis virus. The results of the present study demonstrate that Shilajit is endowed with broad, yet specific, antiviral activity in vitro and constitutes a natural source of antiviral substances. Further work remains to be done to assess its efficacy in vivo.