{"id":19953,"date":"2021-11-23T10:25:29","date_gmt":"2021-11-23T10:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lelextea.com\/is-tribulus-terrestris-really-beneficial-an-evidence-based-review\/"},"modified":"2025-03-12T13:19:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T13:19:53","slug":"is-tribulus-terrestris-really-beneficial-an-evidence-based-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lelextea.com\/en\/is-tribulus-terrestris-really-beneficial-an-evidence-based-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Tribulus Terrestris Really Beneficial? – An Evidence-Based Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tribulus terrestris,<\/em> commonly known as Gokharu or puncture vine, is a well-patronized medicinal herb that has been used in the traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic systems of medicine since ancient times. History also tells us that the ancient Greek herbalists used this plant to treat many sexual dysfunctions, and this treatment is still in practice [1]. It belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae, and grows in the dry and warm climates of the Mediterranean particulalry in Greece and subtropical areas of the world. Due to its remarkable curative efficacy, even modern herbalists utilize it as a sole or a prime component of their herbal formulations to treat eczema, chest pain, abdominal discomfort, diabetes, sexual dysfunctions, infertility, and numerous other conditions.<\/p>\n

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The plant possesses diuretic, anti-urolithic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, analgesic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, and various other therapeutic properties [2]. In the past few decades, a lot of scientific research has been carried out to prove the biological effects of Tribulus terrestris, <\/em>and the pharmacological basis behind it. Below is a brief evidence-based review of its beneficial properties and uses.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>


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Beneficial Effects of Tribulus Terrestris<\/h2>\n

The various beneficial effects of Tribulus terrestris <\/em>along with their scientific basis is described below.<\/p>\n

Diuretic<\/h3>\n

Tribulus terrestris <\/em>has diuretic effect \u2013 means, it helps the body to get rid of salt and water. This lowers blood pressure, and helps to treat hypertension. In a study conducted on rats, it was observed that the extract obtained from the leaves and fruit of this plant has even higher diuretic activity than that of furosemide, a commonly used diuretic medication for the treatment of hypertension [3]. This property is rendered by the large amounts of nitrates, essential oils, and potassium salts present in its extract.<\/p>\n

Anti-urolithic<\/h3>\n

The herbal extract also provides a dose-dependent protection against the formation of stones or calculi in urinary tract. Besides, it also keeps the serum urea levels from rising; thus, lowering the risks of urolithiasis [4]. Recently, a novel antilithic protein has been purified from the plant, which is claimed to possess high cytoprotective potency [5].<\/p>\n

Aphrodisiac<\/h3>\n

The term aphrodisiac is used for those substances which increase the sexual pleasure, arousal, performance and desire. A recent study has demonstrated that chronic administration of aqueous leaf extract of Tribulus terrestris <\/em>can be used as a sexual enhancer (aphrodisiac) in Greece and Cyprus called natural \u201cViagra\u201d. It improves penile erection; decreases ejaculation latency; and raises the serum testosterone levels, significantly [6]. Similarly, a randomized double-blind study observed significant improvement in females suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder, who were given this extract, without any side effects [7].<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>


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Anti-diabetic<\/h3>\n

Experts have found that Tribulus terrestris <\/em>contain organic compounds, known as saponins, which impart hypoglycemic effect i.e. reduce the levels of glucose in blood [8]. It makes the plant effective against diabetes.<\/p>\n

Antihyperlipidemic<\/h3>\n

It, also, has antihyperlipidemic, or lipid-lowering activity. The fruit extract reduces the blood concentrations of bad cholesterols like LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, etc, and raises the good cholesterol levels (HDL) [9]. By doing so, it can, significantly, decrease the risks of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and other disorders associated with hyperilipidemia.<\/p>\n

Immunomodulator<\/h3>\n

Animal studies have shown that the plant supplements stimulate both the specific and non-specific immune response of the body. They not only enhance phagocytosis but also boost the production of antibodies and T lymphocytes in the body[10] .<\/p>\n

Cardioprotective<\/h3>\n

The saponins present in Tribulus terrestris<\/em> protect hearts cells, and are also found to improve cardiac functions following a heart attack [11]. They amplify the protective activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme; reduce the amount of caspase-3; and increase the survival of heart cells by inhibiting myocyte apoptosis [12]. These properties along with the anti-hypertensive effects prove the therapeutic efficacy of the plant against various cardiac disorders like coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, cerebral arteriosclerosis, and thrombosis.<\/p>\n

Antidepressant and anxiolytic<\/h3>\n

Researchers have isolated a \u03b2-carboline alkaloid, harmine, from this herbal plant. Harmine raises the levels of dopamine in the brain by inhibiting the function of monoamine oxidase enzyme[13] . Dopamine, in turn, reduces depression, and plays a key role in the motivation, arousal, and feelings of reward. This verifies the potential effectiveness of Tribulus terrestris<\/em> in the treatment of anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n

Anti-inflammatory<\/h3>\n

The ethanolic extract of puncture vine possesses anti-inflammatory activity. It inhibits the expression of COX-2 and iNOS enzymes which are responsible for producing mediators of inflammation[14] . It makes this herbal plant an excellent remedy for numerous inflammatory disorders, including skin diseases like eczema, atopic dermatitis, etc.<\/p>\n

Antispasmodic<\/h3>\n

Tribulus terrestris<\/em> has been used in folk medicine to relieve abdominal discomforts and colic pains. It is, now, scientifically proven that saponins, present in its extract, owe significant antispasmodic activity. They reduce the peristaltic activity, and alleviate the spasms of smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract responsible for abdominal pain and discomfort[15] .<\/p>\n

Antimicrobial<\/h3>\n

Many diseases are caused by microbial pathogens like bacteria and fungi. Solid evidence has been found which proves that the methanolic extract of Tribulus terrestris<\/em> significantly hampers the growth of many gram (+) and gram (-) bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecalis<\/em> , Staphylococcus aureus<\/em> , Escherichia coli<\/em> , and Pseudomonas aeruginos<\/em>[13] . The same extract has demonstrated strong antifungal effects against common fungi<\/em>[16] .<\/em><\/p>\n

Anticancer<\/em><\/h3>\n

Surprisingly, remarkable anticancerous effects of Tribulus terrestris<\/em> have been reported against various types of cancers. A scientific study has supported its potential usefulness in the treatment of human liver cancer because it was found that the aqueous extract of this plant blocks the cancerous proliferation, and induces apoptosis of hepatic tumor cells [17]. Likewise, the methanolic and saponin extract from its leaves and seeds cause fragmentation of the DNA of breast cancer cells, and cause their apoptosis (cell death) while being non-toxic to the normal cells [18]. Similarly, its saponin extract has shown cytotoxicity against cancerous skin fibroblasts without causing any significant harm to the normal skin cells [19].<\/p>\n

Other effects<\/h3>\n

It is also an excellent analgesic, hepatoprotective, antiheminthic, and levicidal agent.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Uses of Tribulus Terrestris<\/h2>\n

Due to the beneficial effects mentioned above, the herbal plant can be used to treat numerous medical conditions. These include;<\/p>\n