Clinical studies and safety evidence for human consumption of Shilajit: a herbo-mineral compound with multifaceted health benefits

Shilajit is one of the ancient and traditional herbo-mineral compounds that has been used for multiple health benefits for centuries. It is associated with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of signaling pathways such as NF-kB and Nrf2/HO-1. One of the main components of Shilajit, fulvic acid, is primarily responsible for its diverse health benefits. However, apart from fulvic acid, it also contains humic acid, trace elements, minerals and vitamins, making it a potent health supplement. Recently, there has been a notable increase in Shilajit consumption, resulting in a growing body of scientific evidence from in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials. However, most of the published literature on Shilajit has been limited, mainly emphasizing its history, origin, chemistry or summaries of preclinical research, without thoroughly exploring the mechanisms of action or discussing existing clinical evidence. Hence, this manuscript aims to specifically address this gap by focusing on the mechanisms of action of Shilajit identified in preclinical research and offering a comprehensive overview of various clinical studies and trials.