In vitro evaluation of the antiviral properties of Shilajit and investigation of its mechanisms of action

Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Valeria CagnoDavid Lembo

Abstract

Shilajit, a herbomineral substance exuded from rocks in steep mountainous regions, has been used for thousands of years by the Indian Ayurvedic and Siddha systems of traditional medicine to relieve ailments and enhance quality of life. Although a large number of therapeutic properties have been ascribed to Shilajit, its therapeutic potential is still largely unexplored by modern research and many of its claimed bioactivities lack scientific validation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antiviral activity of Shilajit against a panel of viruses including herpes simplex type 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human rotavirus (HRV), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). 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 HSV1, HSV2, HCMV, and RSV infectivity in vitro (EC50 values: 31.08μg/ml, 12.85μg/ml, 34.54μg/ml, and 30.35μg/ml, respectively), but was inactive against HRV and VSV. Humic acid, a constituent of Shilajit, displayed the same spectrum of ac...Continue Reading

References

Feb 14, 2007·Phytotherapy Research : PTR·Suraj P AgarwalRoop K Khar
May 3, 2011·Journal of Ethnopharmacology·Eugene WilsonGustav J Dobos
Aug 2, 2012·Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·Manuela DonalisioDavid Lembo
Oct 3, 2012·Pediatrics in Review·Elaine Cox, John C Christenson
Oct 18, 2013·BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine·Manuela DonalisioDavid Lembo

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Citations

May 29, 2016·BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine·Kishor PantSenthil K Venugopal
Oct 7, 2016·Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine·E S TrofimovaA M Dygai
Sep 2, 2016·Archives of Virology·Manik GhoshManuela Donalisio
Aug 4, 2018·Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·Manuela DonalisioDavid Lembo
Dec 2, 2018·Future Medicinal Chemistry·Shaoyong KeYanhong Wei
Feb 12, 2020·Heliyon·Shruti MishraSiddharth Manvati
Feb 4, 2021·Journal of Human Lactation : Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association·Andrea CivraDavid Lembo
Jan 16, 2021·Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·Ali Ali Redha

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