Shilajit as a Natural Product from Sedimentary Rocks: Biological Origin and Antioxidant Properties

Shilajit, a natural product with a documented history of use in traditional medicine for millennia, poses considerable challenges in elucidating its biological origin and pharmacological properties. In this study, a multidisciplinary approach integrating DNA metabarcoding and biochemical profiling was employed to investigate processed shilajit samples from the Pamir-Alai Mountains. Environmental DNA analysis identified 50 plant taxa across taxonomic levels ranging from order to species, indicating substantial botanical contributions to shilajit's composition. Among the identified taxa, Apiaceae and Asteraceae were the most represented families, while Vincetoxicum rossicum, Populus alba, and Quercus suber were the dominant species detected through metabarcoding analysis. Complementary biochemical analyses demonstrated notable antioxidant capacity and the presence of diverse bioactive compounds. Furthermore, oxidative stress-related biomarkers (NO, MDA, and GSH) were evaluated in the brain tissue of healthy rats following shilajit administration. No statistically significant differences were observed between the control and shilajit treated groups, suggesting that shilajit maintains physiological oxidative balance in healthy brain tissue. These findings provide important baseline biochemical data and support future investigations of shilajit's biological effects in validated oxidative stress and neurological disease models.