Tribulus terrestris as an aphrodisiac and performance enhancer?

2015-01-09 09:17:19

A recent study examined the herb Tribulus terrestris, a dicotyledonous herbal plant of the Zygophyllaceae family ⁽¹⁾. In ancient medicine, extracts of the aerial parts and fruits have been used for its diuretic, tonic, and aphrodisiac properties. Now, Tribulus is widely used by athletes and bodybuilders based on the belief, fueled by claims in marketing information, that it can enhance testosterone concentrations. In this study, an electronic literature search out using seven. Randomized control trials, which included healthy human subjects ingesting Tribulus as sole or combined supplement, along with animal studies with Tribulus as a sole treatment across a number of species were included. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that trials varied in duration, dosage and supplementation with Tribulus as sole or combined treatment. A limited number of animal studies displayed a significant increase in serum testosterone levels after Tribulus administration, but this effect was only noted in humans when Tribulus was part of a combined supplement administration. Literature available for the effectiveness of Tribulus on enhancing testosterone concentrations is limited. Evidence to date suggests that Tribulus is ineffective for increasing testosterone levels in humans, thus marketing claims are unsubstantiated. The authors conclude that the nitric oxide release effect of Tribulus may offer a plausible explanation for the observed physiological responses to Tribulus supplementation, independent of the testosterone level.