**4. Conclusion**

*Humic Substances*

**3.11 Anti-viral properties**

naked and enveloped DNA viruses.

coronavirus COVID-19 [92].

**3.12 Overall growth rate**

**3.13 Safety aspects**

In addition, HSs have proved effective in alleviating the adverse effects of lethal doses of irradiation and reducing the incidence of infections, increasing the life span of the animal. This was directly correlated with the increasing capability of immune system to recognize its own dead cells, following administration with HSs supplemented diet or topical application of HSs. The overall health of animals

Anti-viral properties of soil-derived humate materials have traditionally been known to humans and have been studied experimentally since decades. Exploration into the mechanism by which humic substances inhibit viral cytopathicity revealed that these substances attach to the viral envelope protein, thereby coating its receptor sites. This further disables the virus from being able to bind and infect host cells, thus combating viral replication. Their potential range of applications cove both

Viral pathogens for which HSs have been found effective include Coxsackie virus A9, herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza type A and B, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Vaccinia virus as well as other respiratory tract infections. Excellent multimodal anti-HIV properties of humic substances extracted from mud [89], Shilajit [90] and Lignin-rich solid waste resulting from the processing of vegetable feedstock [91] have been demonstrated. Researches are also underway to explore the potential of HSs against the novel

Humic substances, with their miraculous anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, immunomodulatory, detoxifying, gut-promoting and nutritional properties helps in improving the overall growth and development of animal body. In animal husbandry, use of humic substances as feed additives promotes the animal growth rate, improves feed efficiency, prevents intestinal diseases and boosts overall immunity,

Administration of HA improved the final body weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio in broilers [88], increased the milk output and its quality in goats, and also growth rate of their kids with no adverse effects [63]. Even their young ones show higher survival values and better ability to overcome the effect of

Humic substances are soil-borne materials, so humans and animals are naturally exposed to them. Industry has safely used these products for industrial exposure to heavy metals in both humans and in animals. Various studies have been conducted on both animals and humans over several years to test the effectiveness and safety of fulvic acids on human diseases [54, 93]. Most of those studies suggested that they are safe for oral or topical use, though recommended further exploration to confirm their safety to be used as food additives. No significant changes in body weights, hematological variables, indices of thyroid function, and microscopic organ histology were obtained when adult rats were orally administrated with HA [94]. No mutagenic or genotoxic effects of acute toxic and subtoxic doses of FvA in female rats [95].

However, some studies also hint upon the harmful effects HSs may be associated with. HA can induce oxidative DNA damage and genotoxicity in human

thereby improving the economics and ecology of animal production.

weaning at early stages when given diet supplemented with HSs [82].

improves with food and water supplemented with HSs [88].

**12**

Humic substances are a group of organic macromolecules formed from dead tissues of plant and animals transformed over the years by physical, chemical and microbiological processes. They exist ubiquitously in soil, sediments and various terrestrial and aquatic environments. The entire group of HSs can be divided into three components based on their solubility: fulvic acids, humic acids, and humin fragments. Specific properties of humic substances and their products qualifies their uses in both agriculture and medicine. Exploration of compounds present in HAs and their potential in agricultural, pharmaceutical and biomedical industry is of utmost importance.

In the era of depleting natural resources, increasing food demands and degrading environment, global warming and erratic weather conditions, we cannot afford more devastation of environment by utilization of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides etc. Humic substances pose to be potential candidates for improving soil structure and nutrient status along with beneficial effects on plant growth and yield; thus, giving a pavement towards sustainable agriculture.

Primarily used to enhance growth and vigour of the organisms, HSs are increasingly being used to treat several body ailments. Their potential as anti-ageing, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, immunostimulatory and growthpromoting agents is largely being explored. This will help bringing these organic molecules into the niche market where they can largely replace chemical substances. So, explore and reveal the power of 'dirt'!
