| Summary: | Objective: In this study, the antioxidant and chemotherapy-modulating effects of shilajit, a natural humic substance, on the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) were investigated.Material-Method: Shilajit extracts (water and DMEM solvent) were applied to A549 cells alone and in combination with etoposide (IC₅₀ = 42.54 µg/mL) and cisplatin (IC₅₀ = 6.44 µg/mL). Cell viability was measured by the MTT method, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay.Results: As a result of the MTT test, shilajit alone was found to significantly increase cell viability, while in combination with etoposide and cisplatin it reduced the cytotoxic effects of these agents. This may be related to the mitochondrial activity enhancing and oxidative stress suppressing properties of shilajit. The IC₅₀ value for antioxidant activity was calculated as 1.10 mg/ml for the water extract and 1.32 mg/ml for the methanol extract of shilajit. The IC₅₀ values for the positive controls BHA and BHT were 0.023 and 1.88 mg/mL, respectively. Both extract forms of shilajit showed a dose-dependent antioxidant effect, but exhibited lower activity compared to synthetic antioxidants.Conclusion: The results suggest that shilajit has cell-protective and antioxidant properties, but caution is advised when used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. There is a possibility that in some cases shilajit activates cellular resistance mechanisms to chemotherapy.
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