Tribule terrestre

Related Terms

Abrojos, al-Gutub, bullhead, calthrops, caltrop, cat's-head, common dubbletjie, devil's-thorn, devil's-weed, espigon, goathead, gokhru, Gokshura, Mexican sandbur, nature's Viagra?, puncture vine, puncture weed, qutiba, Texas sandbur, tribule terrestre, Tribulus terrestris, Trilovin?.

Background

Tribulus terrestris has a long history of use for a variety of conditions. It has been suggested that it was used in ancient Greece and India as a physical rejuvenation tonic. In China, it is used as a component of therapy for conditions affecting the liver, kidney, cardiovascular system and immune systems. It has also been used in Eastern European folk medicine for increased muscle strength and sexual potency. Despite its history of use, there is limited human data available in order to evaluate its clinical effectiveness.
Tribulus has been studied as a non-steroidal alternative to treatment of infertility. Although the results of the few studies done with the combination product Tribestan? are promising, more studies are needed in order to further evaluate its clinical effectiveness. Preliminary research with tribulus also suggests that it may be useful in treating coronary heart disease, but additional study is needed.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Preliminary research suggests that tribulus may be beneficial to patients with coronary heart disease. Additional study is needed to further evaluate its clinical effectiveness.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that tribulus may be beneficial to patients with coronary heart disease. Additional study is needed to further evaluate its clinical effectiveness.

 C


Preliminary studies indicated that tribulus may enhance body composition or exercise performance in resistance trained males. More information is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.

 C


Preliminary studies indicated that tribulus may enhance body composition or exercise performance in resistance trained males. More information is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.

 C

Although the results of one study investigating the effects of Tribulus terrestris are encouraging, larger studies of better design are needed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Tribestan? in treatment of female infertility.

 C

Although the results of one study investigating the effects of Tribulus terrestris are encouraging, larger studies of better design are needed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Tribestan? in treatment of female infertility.

 C


Although Tribestan? seems to increase sperm count and viability and increase libido, its effectiveness in the treatment of male infertility remains inconclusive, due to a lack of well-designed clinical trials.

 C


Although Tribestan? seems to increase sperm count and viability and increase libido, its effectiveness in the treatment of male infertility remains inconclusive, due to a lack of well-designed clinical trials.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):
There is no proven safe or effective dose for tribulus; 85-250 milligrams of 40% furostanol saponins extract in three divided doses with meals has been used. For exercise performance enhancement, 3.21 milligrams per kilogram of tribulus for eight weeks has been used.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Tribulus may add to calcium channel blocker or beta-blocker effects due to its negative chronotropic activity in cardiac muscle.
Tribulus may exacerbate digoxin effects. Caution is advised.
Tribulus may exhibit diuretic effects (increases urine flow). Caution is advised when used with other drugs that have diuretic effects.
Tribulus may lower blood glucose levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Tribulus has been found to have blood pressure lowering effects, and may affect patients taking drugs that also alter blood pressure.
Based on preliminary study and studies of combination products containing tribulus, tribulus may increase levels of steroid hormones.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Bedir E, Khan IA, Walker LA. Biologically active steroidal glycosides from Tribulus terrestris. Pharmazie 2002;57(7):491-493.
Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Martini ER, et al. Effects of androstenedione-herbal supplementation on serum sex hormone concentrations in 30- to 59-year-old men. Int J Vitam.Nutr.Res 2001;71(5):293-301.
Conrad J, Dinchev D, Klaiber I, et al. A novel furostanol saponin from Tribulus terrestris of Bulgarian origin. Fitoterapia 2004;75(2):117-122.
De Combarieu E, Fuzzati N, Lovati M, et al. Furostanol saponins from Tribulus terrestris. Fitoterapia 2003;74(6):583-591.
Deepak M, Dipankar G, Prashanth D, et al. Tribulosin and beta-sitosterol-D-glucoside, the anthelmintic principles of Tribulus terrestris. Phytomedicine. 2002;9(8):753-756.
Deng Y, Yang L, An SL. [Effect of Tribulus terrestris L decoction of different concentrations on tyrosinase activity and the proliferation of melanocytes]. Di Yi.Jun.Yi.Da.Xue.Xue.Bao. 2002;22(11):1017-1019.
Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG, Prasad RN. Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats. Life Sci 8-9-2002;71(12):1385-1396.
Huang JW, Tan CH, Jiang SH, et al. Terrestrinins A and B, two new steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris. J Asian Nat Prod Res 2003;5(4):285-290.
Jameel JK, Kneeshaw PJ, Rao VS, et al. Gynaecomastia and the plant product "Tribulis terrestris". Breast 2004;13(5):428-430.
Joshi VS, Parekh BB, Joshi MJ, et al. Inhibition of the growth of urinary calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate crystals with aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris and Bergenia ligulata. Urol.Res 2005;33(2):80-86.
Kohut ML, Thompson JR, Campbell J, et al. Ingestion of a dietary supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione has minimal effect on immune function in middle-aged men. J Am Coll Nutr. 2003;22(5):363-371.
Li M, Qu W, Wang Y, Wan H, et al. [Hypoglycemic effect of saponin from Tribulus terrestris]. Zhong.Yao Cai. 2002;25(6):420-422.
Neychev VK, Mitev VI. The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris does not influence the androgen production in young men. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005; Oct 3;101(1-3):319-23
Sun B, Qu WJ, Zhang XL, et al. [Investigation on inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on hepatoma cell line BEL-7402]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 2004;29(7):681-684.
Sun B, Qu W, Bai Z. [The inhibitory effect of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on Bcap-37 breast cancer cell line in vitro]. Zhong.Yao Cai. 2003;26(2):104-106.