Tribulus

What Is Tribulus?

Tribulus, also known as puncture vine, is aptly named for its thorny seeds. This plant will grow where almost nothing else will. It can grow in moist, dark places, as well as dry, sunny spaces. This plant is so well adapted to most environments, it’s considered a noxious weed all over the world.

Tribulus was made famous for its popularity in the Ayurvedic medical system, which used the plant for anything about the male reproductive system, and cardiovascular system.

The herb is most commonly used for treating poor libido, menstrual irregularities, erectile dysfunction, and cardiovascular disorders.

What Is Tribulus Used For?

Tribulus is mainly used to improve microcirculation, as a cardiotonic for cardiovascular disease, and to treat sexual dysfunctions in both men and women.

Traditional Uses

Western Herbal Medicine

Traditionally the whole herb has been used as medicine, although there is not much literature on its uses from the past. ^{6Reference 6Bone K · 2013Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy}.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, the fruit is reportedly used for chest pain, skin lesions, and swollen or painful eyes ^{6Reference 6Bone K · 2013Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy}.

Ayurvedic Medicine

In Ayurveda, the fruit has been used to treat urinary tract infections and inflammations, as well as reproductive disorders. ^{6Reference 6Bone K · 2013Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy}.

Unani Medicine

In Unani medicine, tribulus has been used as a diuretic, mild laxative, and general tonic ^{8Reference 8Khare CP · 2007Indian medicinal plants: An illustrated dictionary}.

Traditional Use Summary

Overall, the traditional uses of tribulus involve its use as a tonic, aphrodisiac, palliative, astringent, stomachic, antihypertensive, diuretic, lithotriptic, for chest pains, painful swollen eyes, and urinary tract infections ^{5Reference 5Chhatre S et al. · 2014Phytopharmacological overview of Tribulus terrestrisView study →}.

Botanical Information

Tribulus is a member of the Zygophyllaceae family of plants, which contains roughly 285 species, and 22 genera.

The Tribulus genus contains about 13 different species, the most commonly used being Tribulus terrestris.

This genus as a whole is highly adaptable and will grow as a perennial in hot, desert climates, or as an annual in cold climates.

Pharmacology & Medical Research

Cardioprotective

The constituent tribulosin was shown to protect the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury (through protein kinase C epsilon activation) ^{9Reference 9Zhang S et al. · 2010AnimalTribulosin protects rat hearts from ischemia/reperfusion injury}.

Phytochemistry

Tribulus is defined by its steroidal saponins, dominated by the furostanol glycoside protodioscin — the marker compound used to standardise extracts — alongside related furostanols such as prototribestin and protogracillin, and the spirostanol tribulosin. Smaller fractions include the phytosterol β-sitosterol, flavonol glycosides, and trace β-carboline alkaloids (harman, harmine) whose presence varies by population and is sometimes debated ^{1,2,3,4,7Reference 1Gjulemetowa et al. · 1982Determination of furostanol saponins in the preparation tribestanReference 2Tomova et al. · 1981Tomova, M., Gjulemetova, R., Zarkova, S., Peeva, S., Pangarova, T., & Simova, M. (1981, September). Steroidal saponins from Tribulus terrestris L. with a stimulating action on the sexual functions. In 1st Proc Int Conf Chem Biotechnol Biol Active Nat Products. Varna (pp. 298-302). ChicagoReference 3Yan et al. · 1996Steroidal saponins from fruits of Tribulus terrestrisReference 4Conrad et al. · 2004A novel furostanol saponin from Tribulus terrestris of Bulgarian origin.Fitoterapia, 75(2), 117-122Reference 7Usman H et al. · 2007Phytochemical and antimicrobial evaluation of Tribulus terrestris L}.

Constituent Summary

Approximate share of the dried aerial parts; figures are highly variable by geographical origin, plant part and growth stage — leaves carry the highest saponin load. Protodioscin in particular ranges roughly 0.06–1.3% of plant material across regions (China low, Bulgaria high) ^{11Reference 11Dinchev et al. · 2008Distribution of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris from different geographical regionsView study →}.

Clinical Applications

Tribulus is useful for infertility, and low libido, especially in males. It’s also useful for mild cardiovascular disease or insufficiency.

The high saponin content of the plant necessary to substantiate its effects means that saponin concentrated extracts are easier to use, unless tribulus is used alone rather than in formulation.

Cautions & Safety

Caution advised if using tribulus with liver disease, ulcers, or digestive disorders.

Some Tribulus products marketed towards performance enhancement have been found to contain anabolic steroids ^{6Reference 6Bone K · 2013Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy}. Be cautious of this and only purchase from reputable companies.

The root and fruit of tribulus have also been sold as supplements, however, there is indication that these are not suitable for equal substitution for the leaf ^{6Reference 6Bone K · 2013Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy}.

Synergy

Tribulus fruit has often been employed with ashwagandha in Ayurvedic formulas. ^{6Reference 6Bone K · 2013Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy}. Synergy may be present between these 2 herbs.

References

1. Gjulemetowa, R., Tomowa, M., Simowa, M., Pangarowa, T., & Peewa, S. (1982). Determination of furostanol saponins in the preparation tribestan. Die Pharmazie, 37(4), 296.
2. Tomova, M., Gjulemetova, R., Zarkova, S., Peeva, S., Pangarova, T., & Simova, M. (1981, September). Steroidal saponins from Tribulus terrestris L. with a stimulating action on the sexual functions. In 1st Proc Int Conf Chem Biotechnol Biol Active Nat Products. Varna (pp. 298-302). Chicago
3. Yan, W., Ohtani, K., Kasai, R., & Yamasaki, K. (1996). Steroidal saponins from fruits of Tribulus terrestris. Phytochemistry, 42(5), 1417-1422.
4. Conrad, J., Dinchev, D., Klaiber, I., Mika, S., Kostova, I., & Kraus, W. (2004). A novel furostanol saponin from Tribulus terrestris of Bulgarian origin.Fitoterapia, 75(2), 117-122.
5. Chhatre S, Nesari T, Somani G, Kanchan D, & Sathaye S. (2014). Phytopharmacological overview of Tribulus terrestris. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 8(15), 45-51. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.125530
6. Bone K, Mills S. (2013). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Elsevier health. China.
7. Usman H, Abdulrahman F, Ladan A. Phytochemical and antimicrobial evaluation of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Nigeria. Res J Biol Sci 2007;2:244-7
8. Khare CP. Indian medicinal plants: An illustrated dictionary. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Verlag; 2007. p. 669-71.
9. Zhang S, Li H, Yang SJ. Tribulosin protects rat hearts from ischemia/reperfusion injury. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2010;31:671-8.
10. Singh S, Nair V, Gupta YK. Evaluation of the aphrodisiac activity of Tribulus terrestris Linn. in sexually sluggish male albino rats, J Pharmacol Pharmacother 2012;3:43-7.
11. Dinchev, D., Janda, B., Evstatieva, L., Oleszek, W., Aslani, M. R., & Kostova, I. (2008). Distribution of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris from different geographical regions. Phytochemistry, 69(1), 176-186. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.07.003
12. Bourke, C. A., Stevens, G. R., & Carrigan, M. J. (1992). Locomotor effects in sheep of alkaloids identified in Australian Tribulus terrestris. Australian Veterinary Journal, 69(7), 163-165. doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.1992.tb07502.x