Tribulus Terrestris
In ancient India and Greece, Tribulus Terrestris was used as a physical rejuvenation tonic . It is traditionally used in various herbal formulas to treat headaches, eye problems, nervousness, and high blood pressure. This fruit extract is a natural testosterone enhancer which can improve sexual desire and performance. Research suggests that tribulus help in proving fertility in women, and improved sexual performance in men. In Bulgaria, tribulus is used as a sex enhancer and to treat infertility. Indians used it as a diuretic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory. The Chinese used it for a variety of liver, kidney, and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, eastern European athletes and bodybuilders have used it for bodybuilding purpose.
Tribulus Terrestris is a very unique and potent natural herb. Tribulus supports an anabolic condition by enhancing testosterone, spermatogenesis, LH (lutenizing hormone), FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone), and libido. Tribulus increase the production of lutenizing hormone which lead to increased testosterone level. Tribulus Terrestris is reputed to support increased production of seminal fluid, not only by volume but by sperm count, at the same time supporting increased sexual performance in both men and women. Tribulus Terrestris works synergistically to stimulate male sexual prowess through a non hormonal pathway, by supporting the body's own hormonal feedback system, and may also assist in improved athletic performance.
Much of the interest surrounding Tribulus terrestris is based on its ability to raise testosterone levels. Testosterone, a hormone that plays a vital role in muscle growth, is traditionally seen as a symbol of youth and vitality. In much the same way that the menopause indicates a change in female hormone levels, the andropause (also known as the male menopause) reflects a decline in testosterone levels.
Research Study
The active ingredient in tribulus is known as furostanol saponins. In
animals study, tribulus is shown to stimulate "mounting" behavior,
increase sperm count as well as motility levels after taking it for 30
days. Two other studies performed on animals reported increased
testosterone production and testicular maturation. A European study
suggest that tribulus extract can increase testosterone levels 30-50% above
baseline levels - which is within the normal range. A study involving
healthy individuals taking 750 mg/day of tribulus terrestris evaluated hormonal
responses and revealed LH increased in males from 14.38 ml/U/ml to 24.75 ml/U/ml
(that s a 72% increase). The free testosterone in males went from 60 ng/dl to
84.5 ng/dl (an increase of 41%).
Studies involving 212 males confirm Tribulus increases libido, frequency and
strength of erections and sexual reflexes. Most of the men
experienced an increase in LH and testosterone as well as sperm production and
mobility. Other positive changes include reduced cholesterol levels, and
positive psychological effects such as improved mood and increased
self-confidence. No adverse effects were noted in clinical studies, and
additional animal research demonstrated no adverse effects on the central
nervous or cardiovascular systems.
Benefits
- Increased testosterone production
- Increased muscle mass/strength
- It has been proven to increase testosterone levels by 30% in only 5 days.
- Increased sex drive in men and women.
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Proerectile pharmacological effects of Tribulus terrestris extract on the rabbit corpus cavernosum.
Adaikan PG, Gauthaman K, Prasad RN, Ng SC. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2000 Jan;29(1):22-6.
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of oral treatment of Tribulus terrestris (TT) extract on the isolated corpus cavernosal tissue of New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits and to determine the mechanism by which protodioscin , a constituent of the TT, exerts its pharmacological effects. 24 rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups of 6 each. Group I served as control. Groups II to IV were treated with the extract at different dose levels, i.e. 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The TT extract was administered orally, once daily, for a period of 8 weeks. The rabbits were then sacrificed and their penile tissue isolated to evaluate the responses to both contracting and relaxing pharmacological agents and electrical field stimulation (EFS). RESULTS: Protodioscin on its own had no effect on the isolated corpus cavernosal strips. The relaxant responses to EFS, acetylcholine and nitroglycerin in noradrenaline precontracted tissues from treated groups showed an increase in relaxation of a concentration dependent nature compared to that of the tissues from control group. However, the contractile, anti-erectile response of corpus cavernosal tissue to noradrenaline and histamine showed no significant change between the treatment and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The relaxant responses to acetylcholine, nitroglycerin and EFS by more than 10%, 24% and 10% respectively compared to their control values and the lack of such effect on the contractile response to noradrenaline and histamine indicate that PTN has a proerectile activity. The enhanced relaxant effect observed is probably due to increase in the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and nitrergic nerve endings, which may account for its claims as an aphrodisiac. However, further study is needed to clarify the precise mechanism of its action.
Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats.
Tribulus terrestris (TT) has long been used in the traditional Chinese and Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of various ailments and is popularly claimed to improve sexual functions in man. Sexual behaviour and intracavernous pressure (ICP) were studied in both normal and castrated rats to further understand the role of TT containing protodioscin (PTN) as an aphrodisiac. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of 8 each that included distilled water treated (normal and castrated), testosterone treated (normal and castrated, 10 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously, bi-weekly) and TT treated (castrated, 5 mg/kg body weight, orally once daily). Decreases in body weight, prostate weight and ICP were observed among the castrated groups of rats compared to the intact group. There was an overall reduction in the sexual behaviour parameters in the castrated groups of rats as reflected by decrease in mount and intromission frequencies (MF and IF) and increase in mount, intromission, ejaculation latencies (ML, IL, EL) as well as post-ejaculatory interval (PEI). Compared to the castrated control, treatment of castrated rats (with either testosterone or TT extract) showed increase in prostate weight and ICP that were statistically significant. There was also a mild to moderate improvement of the sexual behaviour parameters as evidenced by increase in MF and IF; decrease in ML, IL and PEI. These results were statistically significant. It is concluded that TT extract appears to possess aphrodisiac activity probably due to androgen increasing property of TT (observed in our earlier study on primates).
Sexual effects of puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) extract (protodioscin): an evaluation using a rat model.
Apart from its claims for improvement of sexual functions in men, the puncturevine plant (Tribulus terrestris: TT) has long been considered as an energizer and vitalizer in the indigenous system of medicine. Sexual behavior and intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurements were taken in rats to scientifically validate the claim of TT [containing protodioscin (PTN)] as an aphrodisiac. Forty sexually mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 each. Group I served as a control group and groups II, III, and IV were treated with three different doses of TT extract (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively), orally, once daily for 8 weeks. Weight was recorded and the rats from all four groups were subjected to sexual behavior studies with primed females and various parameters namely mount and intromission frequencies (MF and IF, respectively), mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies (ML, IL, and EL, respectively) as well as postejaculatory interval (PEI) were recorded. In addition, blood pressure and ICP were recorded for all rats at the end of study. RESULTS: Increases in body weight (by 9, 23, and 18% for groups II, III & IV) and ICP (by 43% and 26% for groups III and IV) were statistically significant compared to the control group. Increases in MF (by 27% and 24%) and IF (by 19% and 22%) for the groups III and IV were statistically significant. Decreases in ML (by 16%, 23%, and 22% for groups II, III, and IV) and PEI (by 20% for group III) were statistically significant compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: The weight gain and improvement in sexual behavior parameters observed in rats could be secondary to the androgen increasing property of TT (PTN) that was observed in our earlier study on primates. The increase in ICP which confirms the proerectile aphrodisiac property of TT could possibly be the result of an increase in androgen and subsequent release of nitric oxide from the nerve endings innervating the corpus cavernosum.