Ayurveda focuses upon preventing and promoting health along with curing of diseases in a systematic way. Ayurvedic literature has numerous single and compound plant-based, herbo-mineral, herbo-metallic formulations for general well being and in disease-specifi c conditions relating to geriatrics. Rasayana is a specialized branch that deals with the problems related to ageing and methods to counter the same. Shilajatu is one such compound, which has been used in Ayurveda for centuries as Rasayana and as a treatment for all the ailments of body. It is composed of mainly humic acid (60-80 %), and fulvic acid, oxygenated dibenzo- -pyrones and minerals in ionic form (20-40 %). This article is aimed at analyzing and disseminating the classical concepts and available published researches inferring antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Shilajatu. The review reveals that Shilajatu exhibits signifi cant antioxidant, immunomodulatory, chelating, cognitive and memory enhancing activities, thus it could prove to be a panacea for mankind.

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Background: Ayurveda, systematically evolved science of the universe, focuses on preventing, preserving health, and curing diseases in a comprehensive way. This heritage is survived through the ages and Ministry of Ayurvedic, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) took a number of initiatives to showcase its usefulness at global levels. Exclusive and extensive use of various metals and minerals in therapeutics is an integral part in Ayurveda. But, safety and toxicity concerns in the past couple of decades opened debates in conventional community, which attempted to malign the glory of Ayurveda. Aim:The aim of this study is to review classical concepts and published researches on metallic formulations and generate evidences inferring the effectiveness and safety of Ayurveda interventions in different pathologies.Results: Classical Ayurveda texts are filled with comprehensive information pertaining to drug collection, storage and preservation methods, standards of raw materials, standard operative procedures for different dosage forms, quality control aspects for finished products, shelf life, posology, safety, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) on inappropriate use of medicines and their management, concurrent diet advices, etc., to avoid possible ill effects. It infers that the seers were well studied about good collection practices (GCPs), good storage practices (GSPs), good manufacturing processes (GMPs), therapeutic use of such formulations, good dispensing practices (GDPs), good agricultural and collection practices (GACPs), etc., and took maximum care in the management of diseases. To substantiate classical concepts, a good number of studies on herbomineral and metallic formulations have been conducted that have proven their safety and efficacy. Conclusion:It can be said that rational use of Ayurvedic formulations is well established before the period of Charaka Samhita, more than 5,000 BC. All the safety and efficacy concerns raised in the recent past are possibly some part of conspiracy that needs to be addressed systematically.

Introduction: The superoxide radical (O 2 -), hydroxyl radical (OH) are generated in physiochemical pathways. All biological systems have innate antioxidant defence mechanisms but these mechanisms can be inefficient due to poor diet intake, pollution, stress and chemicals etc. Therefore, it is imperative to consume antioxidants to shield cells from destruction by free radicals. Shilajatu is such a drugs of prime importance that has been advocated in the management of various ailments ranging from Diabetes to Immunomodulation and Antioxidant. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant potential of Shuddha Shilajatu along with impact of geography and processing media on it, was determined by using DPPH i.e. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl Free Radical Scavenging Assay. Test was performed at the wavelength of 517 nm using 1 cm optical path cuvette at room temperature. The ultraviolet spectrum of Shuddha Shilajatu and Ascorbic acid was performed by UV-Vis spectrophotometer at different concentrations. The experiment was carried out in triplicate. The result was compared with ascorbic acid as it was taken as standard control under the same conditions. The sample concentration at which initial absorbance of DPPH solution get lowered by 50% has been considered as the endpoint for evaluating the antioxidant potential. Results: It has been found that Shilajatu samples processed in Triphala kwatha have shown better antioxidant profile than water processed samples. Moreover, sample procured from Amritsar showed much better antioxidant activity in comparison to Shilajatu sample procured from Nepal. Conclusion: Processing media and geography significantly modulate the effect and activities of Shilajatu.

Introduction: Embelia ribes Burm. f., Myrsinaceae is a promising medicinal herb valued for its digestive, carminative, anthelmintic, and laxative property since Vedic period. Due to its excessive harvesting, it is reported in red list data book as vulnerable. Hence, in markets, E. ribes is generally found adulterated with E. robusta due to its close morphological similarity with ribes. Thus, the present study attempts to validate and compare physicochemical parameters and chromatographic profile of fruits of two species of Vidanga, that is, E. ribes and E. robusta for proper identification of the drug in dry form and to check adulteration. Materials and Methods: Evaluation of macroscopic characters, physicochemical parameters such as organoleptic, loss on drying, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, alcohol, and water soluble extractives as well as high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis were performed for fruits of both the species of Vidanga, namely, E. ribes and E. robusta as per standard guidelines. Results: The macroscopic study section revealed that the fruits of both the species vary in color, size, and presence of beak such as projection and membrane over the pericarp. The distinct character of E. ribes is the presence of whitish spots on its seeds (Chitratandula) which is found to be absent in robusta seeds. All the physicochemical parameters of E. ribes were found in compliance with the official standards laid down by Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India. These findings accomplished the chief objective of validating the pharmacopoeial characters. Moreover, it was observed that there are no significant differences in the physicochemical constants of both the species except one parameter, that is, water soluble extractives. Apart, HPTLC proffered some identical as well as some dissimilar R f . Discussion: As no remarkable differences were observed in conventional quality control assays for possible phyto and physicochemical variations between the samples, it is concluded that the spotless vidanga, that is, E. robusta can also be utilized in pharmaceutics. Moreover, extended studies with multiple samples from different market sources can be carried out to generate further evidences on analytical and therapeutic ground.