What is tribulus terrestris supplement

It is known as Gokharu in Hindi. Humans have been using the fruit, leaf, and root as medicine for wide-ranging complaints since time immemorial.

Tribulus is primarily used as a booster for better sexual health. Researchers have recognized naturally occurring steroidal compounds in tribulus known as furostanol saponins which stimulate testosterone male sex hormone production by subduing natural hormone receptors. This results in the creation of greater quantities of luteinizing hormone LH which encourages the Leydig cells in the testes to produce more testosterone.

Men, who have low testosterone receive an immediate boost from a Tribulus terrestris supplement. A study demonstrated that it can cause an increase in sperm count. It could also provide enduring prostate support for a man as he grows old.

Either way, it provides men with natural means to preserve testosterone levels and physical, psychological and sexual health. Since testosterone is also involved in producing athletic characteristics such as energy vigor, muscle strength and aggressiveness, often tribulus terrestris supplements are used by athletes to improve their performance. Tribulus is also known to support sexual function in women. Women who consumed tribulus experienced enhanced sexual longing, arousal , and gratification compared to those who did not use it.

Several studies link tribulus supplementation to balanced hormone levels in the body. The extracts of the herb are occasionally used as a treatment internally and externally for skin conditions such as allergies, eczema , scabies and psoriasis. In leprosy patients, tribulus has effectively reduced redness and skin lesions. Tribulus might be helpful in lessening symptoms of angina or chest pain. Preliminary clinical research suggests tribulus might have anti-anginal activity.

It seems to dilate coronary arteries and improve coronary circulation. Tribulus is also sometimes used to treat anemia. Tribulus boosts the functioning of the digestive system in several ways. Unani medicine prescribes Tribulus as a mild laxative.

Some research also indicates that the saponins may be used to pacify smooth muscle spasms or colic pains. However, stomach cramps are an occasional side effect, and limited evidence has shown a potential risk of toxicity. Tribulus terrestris is a small leafy plant that has been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for many years.

In humans, there is some evidence that it may improve blood sugar control and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. While most research shows that this supplement is safe and causes only minor side effects, there have been isolated reports of toxicity. As with all supplements, you should consider the potential benefits and risks before taking Tribulus terrestris. The herbal supplement gokshura is also called Tribulus terrestris.

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Tribulus is a perennial herb that grows in the subtropical regions of eastern and western Asia, southern Europe, and Africa. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine and in Ayurveda for chest pain, heart-related problems, dizziness, skin and eye disorders, to expel kidney stones, and as a diuretic and tonic.

It is also marketed as a dietary supplement to enhance sexual function 25 and for body building 26 Preclinical studies indicate that tribulus has analgesic 1 , antihypertensive 2 3 , anti-inflammatory 4 28 , antiedematous 28 , antioxidant 5 6 , diuretic 7 , hypoglycemic 8 , antibacterial 9 , antifungal 9 10 , cardioprotective 29 , and anticancer properties 11 12 Saponins in tribulus were reported to inhibit platelet aggregation, in vitro 30 ; and to have antidepressive effects in a murine model In a diabetic neuropathic pain model, a standardized tribulus extract was found to be comparable to the drug Pregabalin, with significant increases in pain threshold responses Tribulus has also been shown to increase sperm production 13 , but its effects on modulating testosterone levels are mixed 14 In clinical studies, testosterone increases only occurred when tribulus was part of a combined supplement therapy, making it difficult to determine its contribution to this effect Data from randomized trials of tribulus for erectile dysfunction are mixed 33 49 50 A pilot study evaluating tribulus in men with partial androgen deficiency showed significant differences in testosterone levels and erectile function, but no significant differences in levels of luteinizing hormone In women, however, small studies indicate improvements in sexual dysfunction 35 36 ; and improvements in hypoactive sexual desire disorder in pre- and postmenopausal subjects 52 In addition, a formulation containing tribulus may be useful against bacterial vaginitis A tribulus extract used alone did not not improve androgenic status or physical performance among athletes 26 Saponins in tribulus have shown activity against breast 38 and prostate cancer cells 39 , and may protect against UVB-induced carcinogenesis In animal models, tribulus affected a significant reduction in tumor incidence, tumor burden, and cumulative number of papillomas 19 , and relieved cisplatin-induced renal toxicity Due to its purported hormonal activities, prostate cancer patients should consult with their physicians before using tribulus.

In vitro, cinnamic amides in tribulus fruits inhibit papain-like protease PLpro , an essential proteolytic enzyme which plays a critical role in virus-mediated RNA replication Di-p-coumaroylquinic acid derivatives in tribulus are associated with its antioxidant effects Aphrodisiac effects may be associated with the constituent protodioscin, which leads to an increase in some sex hormones The NO release effect may explain observed physiological responses to tribulus supplementation, independent of testosterone level In a study conducted in rats with ovarian cysts, tribulus extract showed a luteinizing effect related to gonadotropin-like activity Saponins exhibit cytotoxic and antihyperlipidemic effects In ischemic cells, polyphenol-mediated antioxidant activity with tribulus extract resulted in significant suppression of LDH release, ROS generation, and superoxide production In animal models, tribulus exerts a protective effect in diabetic rats by inhibiting oxidative stress 6 and lowering levels of glycosylated hemoglobin and cholesterols 8.

In diabetic neuropathic pain models, tribulus modulates oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine release in a dose-dependent manner via increases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione and lipid peroxide levels In chronic mild stress models, the attenuation of serum corticotropin-releasing factor and cortisol levels by tribulus saponins suggest normalization of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal HPA axis hyperactivity Antihypertensive effects occur via arterial smooth muscle relaxation, NO release, and membrane hyperpolarization 3.

An aqueous extract also demonstrated angiotensin converting enzyme ACE -inhibition activity 2 that may help lower blood pressure. Phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid may be responsible for reputed cardioprotective properties Tribulus extracts induce apoptosis and suppress cancer cell proliferation by activating caspase 3, dephosphorylating extracellular signal-related kinase ERK 1 and 2 15 , and by inhibiting nuclear factor NF-kappa B signaling Saponins from tribulus inhibit multiple-drug resistance of cancer cells In models of human prostate cancer, antitumor and antiangiogenic activities are attributed to cell-cycle arrest and apoptotic induction not involving the caspase pathway Saponins also act as a modulator of apoptosis: in normal human keratinocytes, saponins attenuate UVB-induced programmed cell death through inhibition of intrinsic apoptotic pathway, but enhance apoptotic response in squamous cell carcinomas In animal models, a hydroalcoholic extract of tribulus relieved cisplatin-induced renal toxicity, perhaps via diuretic effects that increase drug excretion, scavenging free radicals via increase in antioxidant enzymes, suppressing inflammatory agents, and acting on organic cation transporter 2 OCT2 proteins Tribulus extract was shown to limit formation of calcium oxalate and calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate crystals 21 22 , mineral compounds that can cause kidney stones.

Consumption of tribulus causes motor neuron adverse effects in animals by affecting the gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA receptors The steroidal saponin diosgenin is thought to be responsible for hepatotoxic effects associated with tribulus Transient GI problems including irritation of gastric mucosa and gastric reflux 36 , and nephrotoxicity 55 have been associated with consumption of tribulus.

Tribulus terrestris. Developing Your Personal Care Plan. Integrative Medicine at Home Membership Program. About Mind-Body Therapies. How It Works. Tribulus has not been shown to treat or prevent cancer in humans. Purported Uses. To treat cancer Tribulus showed anticancer activities in lab studies.

It has not been tested in humans as a cancer treatment. To lower blood pressure Tribulus extract can relax blood vessels and may help to lower blood pressure.

To enhance sexual function Tribulus increases sperm production in animal models, but human studies of its effects on testosterone levels gave mixed results.

The current evidence of its effects on erectile dysfunction are also not definitive. However, small studies suggest that it may help female sexual dysfunction. Large-scale studies are needed to confirm this. To improve muscle strength and muscle mass A clinical study did not find any significant changes in muscle strength or mass with use of tribulus.

To treat infections Tribulus has antifungal activities in lab studies. Human data are lacking. To reduce pain Tribulus extract reduced inflammation in lab studies, but human studies have not been done. To treat kidney stones Tribulus can promote urination and stop calcium compounds that cause kidney stones from forming. Hence, until the absence of steroidal doping will be confirmed by urine analysis, good sport results in weightlifting should be taken with caution.

Despite discovered doping cases among Bulgarian weightlifters during the Olympic Games Predergast et al. Because of the disqualification of 11 doping users, the Bulgarian weightlifting team was excluded from the Olympic Games in Beijing Summing up, there is no strong evidence for the contribution of TT to success in weightlifting. In response to aggressive marketing of nutritional supplements which are to improve health and physical performance, it is worth noting that nutritional supplements which are recommended for competitive athletes to enhance their performance may be contaminated by androgenic-anabolic steroids AAS and so-called pro-hormones that are weak androgens, which are precursors of stronger endogenous androgens such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone DHT.

Such contamination is not usually described in the list of ingredients; however, on the market there also exist products with a full list of components, including compounds prohibited in sport. Moreover, some researchers undertake studies to examine the biological action of those compositions, i. TT plus AAS. In the search for appropriate androgens taken by athletes, Brown et al. Assuming that TT would enhance the rate of that conversion, and in consequence increase the effectiveness of relatively small amounts of those pro-hormones, the same authors carried out more comprehensive studies on the biological effect of TT taken concurrently with androstenediol Brown et al.

The mentioned type of experiments indicate that some studies are focused on a search of herbal-androgenic compositions which would have anabolic action despite a relatively small un-detected amount of banned androgens. However, such procedures may suggest that extracts of TT are not as effective as the users, mostly athletes, expect.

The same is true regarding other nutritional supplements recommended for athletes. For that reason, it is no wonder that some supplements are contaminated intentionally by banned substances which may enhance athletic performance Aqai et al. Obviously, the contamination of nutritional supplements may lead to inadvertent doping in competitive sport. One of the most spectacular incidents of non-intentional doping was recorded just prior to the Olympic Games, when the Norwegian weightlifter Stian Grimseth was disqualified for taking nutritional supplements containing ribose, but contaminated by non-listed norandrostenedione, as was described in by the quarterly magazine World Weightlifting.

Since TT is often used by athletes it is worth knowing whether taking TT extract may change the urinary endogenous androgenic profile to give a positive result of an anti-doping test. There are few studies carried out among athletes to elucidate the degree of risk of taking TT. The results showed that taking TT without any contaminations did not cause positive anti-doping tests Saudan et al. Despite this, some scientists state that adequate controls of TT purity are still lacking. Among other aspects, this program aims to allow AIS athletes to focus on the use of supplements and specific sports diet as part of their nutrition plans and to minimize the risk of the supplement use leading to an inadvertent doping offence.

In this program supplements are classified into four groups according to their effectiveness and safety. Compounds from this group should not be used by athletes AIS, These steroids were not listed on the label Geyer et al. Studies on effects of TT on blood androgens and a sexual disposition were conducted mainly among animals, and the results were contradictory.

Studies carried out in primates baboons and rhesus monkeys , rabbits and castrated rats showed that acute intravenous treatment with a TT extract 7. Similar results reported by El-Tantawy et al. In contrast to those results, the study carried out by Martino-Andrade et al. On the other hand, there was evidence that rats concurrently receiving TT and morphine presented significantly lower reduction of blood sex hormones and pituitary gonadotropin luteinizing hormone , in comparison to those exposed only to the narcotic Ghosian Moghaddam et al.

A few studies with a TT extract carried out among humans also provided divergent results. Since for the pharmaceutical market, which provides TT extracts, the main targets are athletes and healthy, physically active adults, the whole investigative efforts are aimed at confirming such biomedical properties of TT that are expected by the potential users. As mentioned, athletes seek performance enhancers, i. Since development of muscle mass and strength depends, in part, on androgenic status, competitive athletes seek substances that are able to increase their endogenous circulating testosterone, while guaranteeing a negative anti-doping test.

So far, trustworthy studies on expected TT properties are still insufficient. Van Eeenoo et al. Likewise, other studies conducted among athletes did not confirm the beneficial effect of supplementation of TT on physical performance. Resistance-trained men who received a daily dose of TT amounting to 3. In contrast to these data, there are two studies confirming beneficial effects after treatment with pharmaceutical products containing TT and other components.

The other placebo-controlled double-blind experiment conducted among older men with formerly impaired erectile function and lowered blood total 8.

It should be stressed, however, that in both experiments, there was no certainty which component s of those products caused the biological advantages, and whether TT contributed to those effects. Studies on TT toxicity have been conducted only among animals. Arcasoy et al. The only case of acute poisoning by TT was reported in a young man, who consumed during two days a high dose of TT to prevent kidney stone formation.

He was hospitalized, and after 7 days biochemical symptoms of hepatitis and kidney necrosis were decreased Talazas et al. As was shown, potential benefits and risks for human health as a result of supplementation of TT still remain unclear. Effects of the use of nutritional supplements in sports are widely studied.

The results of numerous investigations referring to the biological action, duration of supplementation and recommended doses are currently published in the scientific literature Czeczelewski et al. Yet, knowledge of the physiological action of exotic herbs among sport physicians seems to be inadequate in the light of the large number of easily available over-the-counter new herbal products accompanied by a limited number of clinical trials and up-to-date information.

For that reason, there are concerns that some herbs do not work or, what is worse, may cause unpredicted adverse effects as an alone product, or disadvantageous herb-drug interactions Canter and Ernst, ; Izzo,