Sc, M. Last Updated on Jun 15, Sharifi, Ali, and Radbod Darabi. Qureshi, Ahmed, Declan P. Naughton, and Andrea Petroczi. Puncturevine Tribulus terrestris L. Request an Appointment with a Doctor Nutrition Expert.
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Other studies have also reported that supplements containing the herb enhanced sexual desire, arousal and satisfaction in women with low libido Some research shows that taking mg of this supplement per day may not effectively treat erectile dysfunction However, other reports showed significant improvements in erections and sexual satisfaction with a dose of 1, mg per day While it seems that Tribulus terrestris may improve libido in women and men, more research is needed to clarify the extent of the sexual effects of this supplement.
Summary: Research has found that Tribulus terrestris may improve libido in women and men with reduced sex drives. Studies on the herb as a treatment for erectile dysfunction have shown mixed results, with higher doses appearing to be more beneficial.
Active individuals frequently take Tribulus terrestris supplements to improve their body composition by increasing muscle or decreasing fat In fact, research is also very limited on whether the plant improves body composition or performance in active individuals and athletes.
One study examined how Tribulus terrestris supplements affected the performance of elite male rugby players. The men took the supplements during five weeks of weight training. However, by the end of the study, there were no differences in improvements in strength or body composition between the supplement and placebo groups Another study found that eight weeks of taking this supplement with an exercise program did not improve body composition, strength or muscle endurance more than a placebo Unfortunately, no research is available on the effects of Tribulus terrestris in exercising women.
Summary: Tribulus terrestris does not seem to increase muscle, decrease fat or improve exercise performance more than a placebo. In addition to the potential health effects discussed already, Tribulus terrestris may have several other effects in the body:. However, almost all of these effects have only been studied in animals or test tubes, and even then, the evidence is very limited 3.
Much more research, both in animals and humans, is needed to find out whether Tribulus terrestris has these effects. Summary: Although many people speculate about the health effects of Tribulus terrestris , there is very limited support for many of these claims.
Much of the existing research has been conducted in animals or test tubes, not humans. Researchers have used a wide variety of doses to assess the effects of Tribulus terrestris.
Studies investigating its potential blood sugar-lowering effect used 1, mg per day, while research examining libido enhancement used doses from —1, mg per day 4 , 5. Other studies prescribed dosages relative to body weight. For example, several studies have used doses of 4. So, if you weighed about pounds 70 kg , you might take a dose of —1, mg per day 4. Steroidal saponins aglycones in TT are shown in Table 1. The flavonoids of TT are mainly derivatives of quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin.
Quercetin , isoquercitrin , rutin , quercetin O -gent , quercetin O -gentr , quercetin O -rha-gent , quercetin O -gent O -glu are flavonoids with quercetin as the basic parent structure [ 34 — 36 ]. Isorhamnetin , isorhamnetin O -glu , isorhamnetin O -gent , isorhamnetin O -rutinoside , isorhamnetin O -gentr , isorhamnetin-3,7-di- O -glu , isorhamnetin O - p -coumarylglu , isorhamnetin O -gent O -glu , isorhamnetin O -gentr O -glu are flavonoids with isorhamnetin as the basic parent structure [ 30 , 32 , 37 ].
Kaempferol , kaempferol O -glu , kaempferol O -gent , kaempferol O -rutinoside , kaempferol O -gent O -glu , tribuloside are flavonoids with kaempferol as the basic parent structure [ 35 , 36 , 38 , 39 ].
Structures of flavonoids in TT are shown in Fig. Tribulusamide C , tribulusterine , tribulusin A , harmine , harman , harmmol , tribulusimide C , terrestriamide , N - trans -coumaroyltyramine , N - trans -caffeoylyramine , terrestribisamide are the main alkaloids isolated from the stems, leaves, and fruits of TT [ 40 — 45 ]. Structures of the alkaloids in TT are shown in Fig. Other components of TT include organic acids, amino acids and other substances.
Organic acids isolated from TT are benzoic acid [ 46 ], vanillic acid, 2-methyl benzoic acid, ferulic acid [ 42 ], succinic acid, palmitic acid monoglyceride, succinic acid, docosanoic acid [ 47 ], Tribulus acid [ 48 ] and others.
The main amino acids are alanine and threonine [ 49 ]. In addition, TT also contains 4-ketopinoresinol [ 50 ], uracil nucleic acid [ 46 ], coumarin [ 47 ], emodin, and physcion [ 51 ]. TT has long been used in traditional Chinese and Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of various ailments, especially for improving sexual function, the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. It also has hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiaging, and antitumour activities.
The active extracts and constituents of TT could improve sexual function through activating aphrodisiacs and improving fertility in men. It could also activate sexual desire in postmenopausal women. It is widely believed and insistently advertised that TT possesses aphrodisiac and pro-sexual activities due to its ability to increase testosterone or testosterone precursor levels and this view is outdated [ 2 ]. Erectile dysfunction ED is a sexual disorder characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain a sufficiently rigid erection [ 52 ].
Analysis of phytochemical and pharmacological studies in humans and animals revealed an important role for T. Rats were fed a standard diet treated with Mucuna pruriens, T.
The results indicated that the extract of TT was comparatively more potent than the two others. The hormonal effects of TT were evaluated in primates, rabbits and rats to identify its usefulness in the management of ED [ 54 ]. TT increased some of the sex hormones, which is possibly due to the presence of protodioscin in the extract. The results indicated that TT may be useful in mild to moderate cases of ED.
The aphrodisiac properties of the furostenol glycoside fraction of T. After the acute 1 day and subacute 7 and 14 days treatments with the TT-FG, there was an increase in mounting frequency MF , intromission frequency IF , and ejaculation latency EL and a decrease in mounting latency ML , intromission latency IL , and post-ejaculation interval PEI and serum testosterone levels in the blood. There was a randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled, clinical trial as a piece of evidence for aphrodisiac activation function of TT.
The TT group received 2 tablets mg Tribestan orally three times daily after meals for 12 weeks. Each tablet contains the active substance TT herba extractum siccum mg content of furostanol saponins not less than And the placebo group were treated by a identical appearance, colour and taste one.
It can therefore be assumed that TT can improve sexual function. In the literature, it has been concluded that the ethanol extract of T. The hexanic and aqueous soluble fraction in the methanol fractions promoted changes in the intertubular compartment because they increased the nuclear volume, cytoplasmic volume and individual volume of Leydig cells in male Wistar rats [ 57 ].
Another animal study describes the protective role of TT against AlCl 3 -induced adverse effects on male reproductive organs and fertility. TT was reported to cause reproductive system enhancement and possess antioxidant activity, which may assist in the choice of drugs for longer durations that can be prescribed safely without affecting the fertility potential in males.
The restoring potential of TT against MTZ-induced alterations in the spermatogenesis appears to be due to the presence of antioxidative flavonoids rather than steroidal saponins [ 59 ]. The in vitro addition of TT extract to human sperm could affect male fertility capacity. Overall, the sperm viability significantly improved [ 60 ]. Its probable mechanism of action involves an increase in the serum levels of free and bioavailable testosterone [ 62 ]. Other clinical research established that regarding the treatment in the domains of desire and sexual interest of 74 postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction, the TT treatment mg, orally three times a day for 90 days was considered to be effective in treating sexual problems among menopausal women [ 63 ].
The fruits of TT have long been used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of various urinary diseases including urolithiasis.
Calcium oxalate is a major type of crystal found in kidney stones. Calcium oxalate is classified into two types: calcium oxalate monohydrate stones COM and calcium oxalate dihydrate COD. Many medicinal plants have been used for centuries for the treatment of urinary stones in spite of the lack of rationale behind their use. The aqueous extract of TT fruits and its fractions were studied to evaluate its antiurolithiatic potential using different models.
The inhibitory potency of the plant was tested on the nucleation and growth of the most commonly occurring kidney stones and COM. The results showed that the bioactive n -butanol fraction, due to higher contents of quercetin, diosgenin and tannic acid, has a protective capacity rather than a curative property against urolithiasis [ 64 ].
CCD 7 belong to a family of dioxygenases, which possess five characteristic conserved histidines spread throughout their primary protein sequence. Histidine is said to induce the conversion of oxalate to formic acid and carbon dioxide CO 2.
The purified protein decreased cell injury induced by oxalate in a concentration dependent manner and showed the ability to inhibit calcium oxalate CaOx crystallization in vitro [ 65 ].
Human clinical data indicated that TT extract may be useful in the treatment of urolithiasis. Urine volume and phosphate level in the serum were not altered significantly in the urolithic patients [ 66 ]. It was concluded that TT extract was useful in the treatment of urolithiasis.
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with chronic hyperglycaemia, which results from a defect in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both [ 67 ]. The gross saponins of T. In addition, it showed the inhibition activities of a postprandial increase in blood glucose and improvement in insulin dependent diabetes symptoms [ 68 ].
Animal experiments indicated that GSTT significantly reduced the postprandial blood glucose levels by intragastric administration of sucrose in normal rats and type 2 diabetic rats but did not affect the postprandial blood glucose levels of the rats with intragastric administration of glucose [ 69 ].
Clinical trials proved that the water extract of T. Presently, the clinical treatments are thrombolysis and nerve protection. Thrombolysis has a significant effect. However, it is limited by a narrow therapeutic time window. Therefore, the development of neuroprotective agents is of great significance.
Meanwhile, TT plays an important role in the treatment of cardiovascular disease with anti-myocardial ischaemia and myocardial ischaemia—reperfusion injury. GSTT has a protective effect on myocardial ischaemia—reperfusion injury.
Moreover, GSTT could improve coronary flow and heart function and increase adenosine triphosphate ATP activity in myocardial ischaemia—reperfusion injury [ 73 ].
The methanol extract of T. The extract guards the mitochondria via its antioxidant potential [ 74 ]. In addition, TT functions as a protector of the myocardium. It supported cardioprotective properties against myocardial ischaemia, protected myocardial cells and reduced the apoptosis rate induced by oxidative stress damage [ 77 ].
Inhibition of cardiac muscle cell apoptosis occurs when GSTT reduces cell apoptosis through regulating protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax [ 78 ]. TT has a protective effect for neuron injury mainly via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The membrane potential of mitochondria and Bcl-2 protein expression in PC12 cells of the GSTT group was significantly increased in a dosage-dependent manner [ 80 ]. After cerebral haemorrhaging, brain tissue generates many free radicals that causes lipid peroxidation.
The apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells RGCs is an important cause of glaucoma. TT can block the optic nerve injury pathway and enhance the survival of the optic nerve to protect the optic nerve [ 82 , 83 ]. It was reported that TT could reduce the degeneration of RGCs and the retinal nerve fibre layer in hyper-intraocular pressure rabbits by intravenous administration with TT sterilization powder [ 84 ]. Herbs and herbal combinations have been used to improve athletic ability through several ways that mimic epinephrine effects, mimic testosterone effects, and increase the productions of corticotropin and cortisol.
TT contains gitonin, protodioscin, and tribulosaponins A and B, which are believed to mimic testosterone-like effects in humans because of the similarities of their chemical structures [ 85 , 86 ]. The main effect is an increase of testosterone anabolic and androgenic action via the activation of endogenous testosterone production [ 87 ].
The level of testosterone can directly affect the motor ability of the body and its restoration. Corticosterone can accelerate the decomposition of proteins in the body [ 88 ]. Treatment of rats with GSTT during overtraining dramatically increased the serum level of testosterone and led to a significant decrease in the serum level of corticosterone. In addition, the cognate receptor of testosterone is AR.
IGF-1 is closely related to muscle mass, conservation of the musculoskeletal system, the metabolic rate, and muscle strength. GSTT is likely to affect the processes of apoptosis and metastasis of cancer cells. The overexpression of CXCR4 has been associated with the formation of metastases and poor prognosis of patients with breast and other types of cancer.
CCR 7 is reportedly correlated with lymphatic metastasis and poor prognosis in breast cancers. The product of the BCL2 gene is a mitochondrial membrane protein that blocks apoptosis. The anticancer mechanism of terrestrosin D was detected by observing in vitro Caspase-3 activity and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion and the in vivo anticancer effect of the PC-3 xenograft mouse model. It was concluded that terrestrosin D inhibited tumour growth through the inhibition of tumour angiogenesis.
The antibacterial activity of TT had been widely studied. Albicans [ 93 ]. TT was extracted with different solvents methanol, petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanol. The results showed that methanol extract has the highest inhibition zone for Bacillus cereus , Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
The ethanol extract of TT exhibited good antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans , Streptococcus sanguis , Actinomyces viscosus , Enterococcus faecalis , Staphylococcus aureus , and Escherichia coli.
Complexes of T. TT exhibited effective antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner by 2,2-di- 4-tert-octylphenol picrylhydrazyl DPPH , H 2 O 2 , and superoxide scavenging activity, as well as the FRAP Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay [ 96 ]. The experiment proved that the antioxidant effect of GSTT is excellent and that it could improve SOD activity and MDA content for chronically high intraocular pressure in rabbits [ 97 ].
Nov ; Tribulus terrestris : preliminary study of its diuretic and contractile effects and comparison with Zea mays. Apr ;85 Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of alcoholic extract of Tribulus alatus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: a comparative study with T. Indian J Exp Biol. Sep ;45 9 Antibacterial and antifungal activities of different parts of Tribulus terrestris L. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B.
Feb ;9 2 In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of the eight steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris L. Biol Pharm Bull. Dec ;28 12 Screening of some saponins and phenolic components of Tribulus terrestris and Smilax excelsa as MDR modulators.
In Vivo. Jul-Aug ;23 4 Aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris Linn induces cell growth arrest and apoptosis by down-regulating NF-kappaB signaling in liver cancer cells. Jun 14 ; 1 Effects of Tribulus terrestris on endocrine sensitive organs in male and female Wistar rats.
Jan 8 ; 1 Evaluation of the aphrodisiac activity of Tribulus terrestris Linn. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. Jan ;3 1 Saponins from Tribulus terrestris L are less toxic for normal human fibroblasts than for many cancer lines: influence on apoptosis and proliferation.
Exp Biol Med Maywood. Jan ; 1 Short term impact of Tribulus terrestris intake on doping control analysis of endogenous steroids. Forensic Sci Int. Jun 10 ; 1 :e Tribulus terrestris -induced severe nephrotoxicity in a young healthy male. Nephrol Dial Transplant. Nov ;25 11 Bourke CA. Abnormal turning behaviour, GABAergic inhibition and the degeneration of astrocytes in ovine Tribulus terrestris motor neuron disease.
Aust Vet J. Jan-Feb ;84 Chemopreventive potential of Tribulus terrestris against 7, dimethylbenz a anthracene induced skin papillomagenesis in mice. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. Apr-Jun ;7 2 Alternative treatment of ovarian cysts with Tribulus terrestris extract: a rat model. Reprod Domest Anim. Feb ;47 1 :e Inhibition of the growth of urinary calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate crystals with aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris and Bergenia ligulata.
Urol Res. May ;33 2 Diminution of oxalate induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury and inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallization in vitro by aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris. Int Braz J Urol. Jul-Aug ;36 4 ; discussion , Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. Apr ;40 3 The effect of five weeks of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on muscle strength and body composition during preseason training in elite rugby league players.
J Strength Cond Res. May ;21 2 A systematic review on the herbal extract Tribulus terrestris and the roots of its putative aphrodisiac and performance enhancing effect. J Diet Suppl. Mar ;11 1 Insights into Supplements with Tribulus Terrestris used by Athletes.
J Hum Kinet. Jun 28 ;
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