Tribulus Terrestris

Protodioscin, the main active ingredient of Tribulus Terrestris preparations

Known in India as Ikshugandha, this is a plant that has been used since time immemorial in East India for the treatment of sexual problems in men and women alike. William Boericke, an American physician and author of one of the largest homeopathic materia medicas, also wrote about it in 1927: "useful in states of weakness of the sexual organs such as impotence, ejaculatio praecox (premature ejaculation) and oligospermia (sperm depletion), prostatitis,.., and sexual neurasthenia (sexual weakness) ... in advanced age" Not only in advanced age, it should be added. This impressive list, which chronic skeptics also like to dismiss as "indication poetry," receives support from more recent studies.

Testosterone increases for male vigor

Tribulus has been tested extensively and successfully and proved effective in improving sperm quality and motility. Libido (sex drive) and sexual performance increased in test animals and humans.

Bodybuilders use it as well

Taking Tribulus causes increases in LH of 72% and in the level of free, biologically active testosterone (the male sex hormone) of 41%. LH, the luteinizing hormone, is a hormone of the pituitary gland that stimulates the cells of the testes that produce testosterone, the Leydig cells.

However, the effect of Tribulus is complex. Since it clearly improves sperm production (as Boericke already observed in 1927!), it must also improve the action of FSH. FSH is the follicle-stimulating hormone, another hormone of the pituitary gland that activates the cells of the testes that produce sperm, the so-called Sertoli cells. The findings show that Tribulus does not increase the release of FSH from the pituitary gland. It is therefore assumed that it acts as a resensitizer, that is, as a substance that has a sensitizing effect on the FSH receptors in the testes, so that these cells once again respond better to FSH stimulation by the pituitary gland - just as in younger men.

General anti-aging effects

Recently, in the year 2000, a clinical study confirmed the effect of Tribulus on sexual desire and erectile capacity. Researchers at the Surabaya Medical School in Indonesia investigated "protodioscin," a constituent that had been isolated from Tribulus. They found that the protodioscin contained in Tribulus is converted in the body into DHEA (DeHydroEpiAndrosterone - a hormone precursor of testosterone). This is certainly only part of the principles of action of this apparently very multifaceted plant.

Further benefits of Tribulus are

• Has a proven positive psychological effect by lifting the mood and increasing self-confidence
• Reduces cholesterol and high blood pressure
• Increases male libido to an astonishing degree
• Improves heart muscle contraction
• Supports the immune system.

In any case, the effects of Tribulus appear to be diverse and beneficial.

Safety and side effects

Tribulus supplements are possibly safe for most people when taken orally over a short period of time. They have been used safely in research studies for up to 8 weeks. The long-term safety of Tribulus is not known.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Taking Tribulus is possibly not safe during pregnancy. Studies conducted in animals suggest that Tribulus could impair the development of the fetus. Not enough is known about the safety of Tribulus during breastfeeding. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are best advised to avoid Tribulus.

Surgery: Tribulus could affect blood sugar levels, and there are therefore concerns that Tribulus could interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop taking Tribulus two weeks before upcoming surgery.

Interactions with medications:

Caution is advised when combining Tribulus with the following medications:

Lithium

Tribulus could have a dehydrating (diuretic) effect. Taking Tribulus can impair the excretion of lithium by the body, which could result in elevated lithium levels and serious side effects. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor before using Tribulus if you are taking lithium. It may be necessary to adjust the lithium dosage.

Diabetes medications

Tribulus could lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking Tribulus in combination with diabetes medications could result in blood sugar levels dropping too low. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be monitored carefully. It is possible that the dosage of the diabetes medications may need to be adjusted.

References

1. Fitoterapia. 2003 Sep;74(6):583-91. Furostanol saponins from Tribulus terrestris. De Combarieu E, Fuzzati N, Lovati M, Mercalli E.
2. Life Sci. 2003 Oct 24;73(23):2963-71. Study of antihypertensive mechanism of Tribulus terrestris in 2K1C hypertensive rats: role of tissue ACE activity. Sharifi AM, Darabi R, Akbarloo N.
3. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Apr;85(2-3):257-60. Tribulus terrestris: preliminary study of its diuretic and contractile effects and comparison with Zea mays. Al-Ali M, Wahbi S, Twaij H, Al-Badr A.
4. J Pharm Sci. 2001 Nov;90(11):1752-8. Determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and evaporative light scattering detection. Ganzera M, Bedir E, Khan IA.
5. J Nat Prod. 2000 Dec;63(12):1699-701. New steroidal glycosides from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris. Bedir E, Khan IA.
6. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2000 Jan;29(1):22-6. Proerectile pharmacological effects of Tribulus terrestris extract on the rabbit corpus cavernosum. Adaikan PG, Gauthaman K, Prasad RN, Ng SC.
7. Life Sci. 2002 Aug 9;71(12):1385-96. Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats. Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG, Prasad RN.
8. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Aug;72(2 Suppl):624S-36S. Selected herbals and human exercise performance. Bucci LR.
9. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001 Oct;20(5):520-8. Endocrine and lipid responses to chronic androstenediol-herbal supplementation in 30 to 58 year old men. Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Martini ER, Kohut ML, Franke WD, Jackson DA, King DS.
10. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000 Jun;10(2):208-15. The effects of Tribulus terrestris on body composition and exercise performance in resistance-trained males. Antonio J, Uelmen J, Rodriguez R, Earnest C.
11. Boll Chim Farm. 1998 Dec;137(11):473-5. Effect of Tribulus terrestris L. saponin mixture on some smooth muscle preparations: a preliminary study. Arcasoy HB, Erenmemisoglu A, Tekol Y, Kurucu S, Kartal M.
12. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Nov;83(1-2):153-9. Evaluation of natural products on inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cultured mouse macrophage cells. Hong CH, Hur SK, Oh OJ, Kim SS, Nam KA, Lee SK.
13. Zhong Yao Cai. 2003 May;26(5):341-4. [Effect of saponin from Tribulus terrestris on hyperlipidemia] [Article in Chinese] Chu S, Qu W, Pang X, Sun B, Huang X.
14. Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 Jun;25(6):420-2. [Hypoglycemic effect of saponin from Tribulus terrestris] [Article in Chinese] Li M, Qu W, Wang Y, Wan H, Tian C.
15. Zhong Yao Cai. 2001 Aug;24(8):586-8. [Effect of the decoction of tribulus terrestris on mice gluconeogenesis] [Article in Chinese] Li M, Qu W, Chu S, Wang H, Tian C, Tu M.
16. Planta Med. 1998 Oct;64(7):628-31. Tribulusamide A and B, new hepatoprotective lignanamides from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris: indications of cytoprotective activity in murine hepatocyte culture. Li JX, Shi Q, Xiong QB, Prasain JK, Tezuka Y, Hareyama T, Wang ZT, Tanaka K, Namba T, Kadota S.
17. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1990 Feb;10(2):85-7, 68. [406 cases of angina pectoris in coronary heart disease treated with saponin of Tribulus terrestris] [Article in Chinese] Wang B, Ma L, Liu T.
18. Vet Res Commun. 2003 Jan;27(1):53-62. Experimental Tribulus terrestris poisoning in sheep: clinical, laboratory and pathological findings. Aslani MR, Movassaghi AR, Mohri M, Pedram M, Abavisani A.