| “Shilajit” is a panacea in Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine. The major bioactives of “shilajit” have been identified as dibenzo-α-pyrones (DBPs), its oligomers and aminoacyl conjugated derivatives. These bioactive compounds play a crucial role in energy metabolism in all animal cells including those of man. 3-hydroxydibenzo-α-pyrone (3-OH-DBP), a key DBP component of “shilajit” is converted, among other products, to another active DBP derivative, viz. 3,8-hydroxydibenzo-α-pyrone, 3,8(OH)2-DBP, in vivo, when its precursor is ingested. 3,8(OH)2-DBP is then involved in energy synthesis in the mitochondria in the reduction and stabilization of coenzyme Q10... |
