Anti-Microbial, Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Ulcerogenic Effects of Shilajit on Gastric Ulcer in Rats

Problem statement: To evaluate the effects and mechanisms of action involved in anti-ulcer, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different native shilajit samples. Approach: Shilajit samples were collected in the mountain region of Yemen (Al-Jouf and Rayma), Russia (Tien-Shan) and India (Kumoan). Stomach ulcers were induced in rats by oro-gastric ingestion of ethanol/HCl. Pre-treatment with ranitidine (100 mg kg^-1, p.o.) and shilajit samples (600 mg kg^-1, p.o.) occurred for 14 days before the ulcer induction. Plasma lipids, TBARs, SOD, GSH, catalase activity and gastric mucosal histological changes in rat stomach tissue were evaluated. Antimicrobial efficacy of shilajit (500, 300 and 100 μg disc^-1) was also studied against fungi, gram positive and negative bacteria. Results: Data had shown the hypo-lipidemic and anti-oxidant effects of studied shilajit samples on ethanol/HCl-induced ulcer model via decreasing TGs, Tc, TBARs while increasing HDLc, SOD, catalase and GSH than saline or ranitidine pre-treated groups. Al-Jouf and Indian shilajit samples inhibit both ulcer score and lesion area by greater percentages than either ranitidine or other samples. Rayma and Russian samples showed a strongest antimicrobial effect than either Al-Jouf or Indian samples. Conclusion/Recommendations: Some of studied shilajit samples have anti-oxidant and anti-ulcer against induced gastric ulcer, while others showed anti-microbial activities against tested microbes; mightily due to combined mechanisms of shilajit’s constituents, including hypolipidemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, anti-anxiety, regenerative, repairing and healing mechanisms.