Tribulus is a plant that has been popularized by weight lifting and body building enthusiasts. Tribulus species are numerous, and difficult to identify due to the amount of variations present in the populations according to an article entitled "Taxonomic Status of Some of the Tribulus Species in the Indian Subcontinent" by M. Varghese. The article notes that tribulus plants can be found all over the world, which may be one reason its species are often interchanged. Some species of tribulus have been studied by western medical science; and may have potential health benefits.
Tribulus terrestris
Perhaps the most widely studied species, T. terrestris is also known as puncture vine. This particular species has been used as an herbal remedy in India and China for thousands of years. Recently, it has been used in performance enhancing supplements, becoming popular with both men and women bodybuilders. The "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" published a study in January 2005 that discussed T. terrestris and androgen stimulation. Androgens are hormones like testosterone that are needed for sexual function. Researchers at the National University of Singapore discovered that the plant increased androgen function in rats. Supplements of this plant species are available; however, they are not regulated by the FDA. Talk to your doctor before using any new supplement.
Tribulus alatus
This particular species has also been studied recently, with promising results. In January of 2010, the "Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences" featured a study that tested the antioxidant properties of the plant. In fact, researchers found that the total herb, not just the fruits, improved glutathione, serum ascorbic acid and serum superoxide dismutas in rat subjects. In addition to its antioxidant properties, it may also improve libido. The "International Brazilian Journal of Urology" found, in a July 2007 study, that T. alatus increased serum testosterone levels. Researchers concluded that it may have aphrodisiac qualities due to its ability to increase androgen levels.
Tribulus cistoides
According to the United States Department of Agriculture's website there is a species of tribulus that is often called Jamaican fever plant. Found in tropical areas, Tribulus cistoides is considered an invasive plant in Florida. It is also found in Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In April 1994, "Phytochemistry" featured a study that discovered the Mexican variety of T. cistoides contains cardioactive steroid saponins, which may have an effect on the heart.
Other Species
Many more species of tribulus exist, although among them, T. longipetalus, T. ochroleucus, and T. bimucronatus have also been studied for their flavanoid content. Alain Louveaux and colleagues examined the desert locust's preference for specific tribulus species. Their study, published in the "Journal of Chemical Ecology" in May 1998, discovered that these three species, as well as T. terrestris, contained flavanoids, which help enhance the absorption of vitamin C. Interestingly, the desert locust was found to prefer the terrestris species, possibly due to its quercetin content.
References
- "Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences"; Taxonomic Status of Some of the Tribulus Species in the Indian Subcontinent; Varghese, M., Yadav, S.S. and Thomas, J.; 2006
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Effect of Tribulus terrestris on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase activity and androgen receptors in rat brain; Gauthaman K. and Adaikan P.G.; January 2005
- "Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences"; Antioxidant activity of aerial parts of Tribulus alatus in rats; Kadry H. et al; January 2010
- "International Brazilian Journal of Urology"; Free serum testosterone level in male rats treated with Tribulus alatus extracts; El-Tantawy W.H., Temraz A., and El-Gindi O.D.; July 2007
- United States Department of Agriculture: Tribulus cistoides
