• Abstracts are presented below for clinical studies on Tribulus.

  Botanical Name: Tribulus Terrestris Ayurvedic Name: Gokshura Common Name: Tribulus

  

  Plant Phytonutrient Profile

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  1: Planta Med. 1999 Feb;65(1):68/​73.

  Application of Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Combined with Sequential Tandem Mass Spectrometry Techniques for the Profiling of Steroidal Saponin Mixture Extracted from Tribulus terrestris.

  Fang S, Hao C, Liu Z, Song F, Liu S.

  Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, People's Republic of Chin.

  Using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry combined with sequential tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/​MS (n)), the steroidal saponin mixture extracted from TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS was studied. The structures of five known steroidal saponins and two unknown steroidal saponins in the saponin mixture were investigated by sequential tandem mass spectrometry experiments. All of the steroidal saponins displayed similar fragmentation behavior in ESI/​MS (n), and the characteristic cross ring cleavage pattern could be used as a fingerprint for the identification of steroidal saponins. The methodology has been established as a powerful tool for the profiling of mixtures, especially of crude plant extracts, and the structural elucidation of compounds.

  PMID: 17260238 [PubMed /​ in process]

  
  

  2: Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2006 Dec;26(12):1777/​9.

  [Effect of Tribulus terrestris extract on melanocyte/​stimulating hormone expression in mouse hair follicles]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Yang L, Lu JW, An J, Jiang X.

  Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. yangliutcm@ 21cn.com

  OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tribulus terrestris extract on melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) expression in C57BL/6J mouse hair follicles, and investigate the role of Tribulus terrestris extract in activation, proliferation, epidermal migration of dormant hair follicle melanocytes. METHODS: The aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris was administered orally in specific pathogen/​free C57BL/6J mouse at the daily dose equivalent to 1 g/1 kg in adult human, and the expression and distribution of MSH in the mouse hair follicles was observed with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The positivity rate of MSH expression in the hair follicle melanocytes was 75% in mice treated with the extract, significantly higher than the rate of only 18.75% in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris can significantly increase MSH expression in the hair follicle melanocytes by activating tyrosinase activity and promoting melanocyte proliferation, melanine synthesis, and epidermal migration of dormant melanocytes.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 17259119 [PubMed /​ in process]

  
  

  3: Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2007 Jan;232(1):126/​33.

  Saponins from Tribulus terrestris L are less toxic for normal human fibroblasts than for many cancer lines: influence on apoptosis and proliferation.

  Neychev VK, Nikolova E, Zhelev N, Mitev VI.

  Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University, Sofia 1431, Bulgaria. neychev@dir.bg

  The objective of the study was to explore the influence of saponins derived from Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) on normal human skin fibroblasts and to compare it with their anticancer properties. In this study, [3H]thymidine incorporation and MTT to assess cell proliferation and viability, respectively, and immunoblotting and HPLC analysis to explore intracellular signal transduction pathways have been used. We found that TT caused a dose/​dependent decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation into the DNA of treated fibroblast compared to the untreated controls. Viability of treated cells remained within the control levels with treatment of up to 5 micro g TT/ml medium. It was significantly depressed with incubation in > or =6 micro g TT/ml medium with an IC50 of 12.6 micro g TT/ml of cultivating media. ERK1/2 was significantly dephosphorylated at 5 mins of incubation with TT until the 48th hour, when phosphorylation slightly recovered, but was still below the control levels. In contrast, p38 and JNK phosphorylation was positively influenced, with peaks at 1 hr and 24 hrs of incubation respectively. Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events of SAPK/MAPK clearly correlated with Mkp/​1 induction. Procaspase 3 was activated after 5 mins of incubation and coincided with a rapid actin cleavage. There was a significant decrease of putrescine concentration and a concomitant increase of spermidine and spermine at 2 mins of treatment. According to our results, TT is less toxic for normal human skin fibroblasts in comparison to many cancer lines investigated in previous studies. The molecular mechanism of this cytotoxicity involves up/​ and downregulation of polyamines' homeostasis, suppression of proliferation, and induction of apoptosis. Further research in this field using animal models would help to explore and interpret the potential properties of TT as an anticancer supplement.

  Publication Types: Comparative Study Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 17202593 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  4: Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2007;21(3):286/​96.

  Intramolecular interchain reactions in bidesmosidic glycosides, a new insight into carbohydrate rearrangements induced by electrospray ionisation.

  Dal Piaz F, De Leo M, Braca A, De Simone F, De Tommasi N.

  Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano (Sa), Italy. fdalpiaz@unisa.it

  Glycoconjugates are a class of complex molecules that are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and in some marine organisms. This class of compounds has a wide range of biological activities such as anti/​inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, antiulcer, and immunoenhancing actions.1/​3 Some of them also show various toxic activities such as cytotoxic, hemolytic, cardiotoxic, and teratogenic. Among these compounds, steroidal and triterpenoid saponins have long been known as components of widely used herbal drugs and pharmaceutical preparations; ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, Quillaja saponaria, and Digitalis ssp. are just a few examples. Thus, identification of saponins in herbal drugs used worldwide is of significance in phytochemical and toxicological quality control studies, and for the production of safe health products. Therefore, there is continuing demand for methods to rapidly identify and characterize these natural products. Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 17200980 [PubMed /​ in process]

  
  

  5: Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Nov;1084:391/​401.

  The protective effect of Tribulus terrestris in diabetes.

  Amin A, Lotfy M, Shafiullah M, Adeghate E.

  Biology Department, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box: 17551, Al/​Ain, Abu/​Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. a.amin@uaeu.ac.ae

  Tribulus terrestris L (TT) is used in the Arabic folk medicine to treat various diseases. The aim of this article was to investigate the protective effects of TT in diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetes is known to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) level that subsequently contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes. Rats were divided into six groups and treated with either saline, glibenclamide (Glib), or TT for 30 days. Rats in group 1 were given saline after the onset of streptozotocin (STZ)/​induced diabetes; the second diabetic group was administered Glib (10 mg/kg body weight). The third diabetic group was treated with the TT extract (2 g/kg body weight), while the first, second, and third nondiabetic groups were treated with saline solution, Glib, and TT extract, respectively. At the end of the experiment, serum and liver samples were collected for biochemical and morphological analysis. Levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine were estimated. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were assayed in the liver. The tested TT extract significantly decreased the levels of ALT and creatinine in the serum (P < 0.05) in diabetic groups and lowered the MDA level in liver (P < 0.05) in diabetic and (P < 0.01) nondiabetic groups. On the other hand, levels of reduced GSH in liver were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in diabetic rats treated with TT. Histopathological examination revealed significant recovery of liver in herb/​treated rats. This investigation suggests that the protective effect of TT for STZ/​induced diabetic rats may be mediated by inhibiting oxidative stress.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 17151317 [PubMed /​ in process]

  
  

  6: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2006 Jun;31(11):910/​3.

  [Inhibitory effects of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on alpha/​glucosidase in small intestines of rats]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Zhang SJ, Qu WJ, Zhong SY.

  School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.

  OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of saponins from Tribulus terrestris (STT) on small intestinal a/​glucosidase and postprandial blood glucose levels in rats. METHOD: The inhibitory effects of STT on a/​glucosidase extracted from small intestines in rats were carried out in vitro. The blood glucose levels were measured after 60 min when sucrose (2 g x kg(/​1)) or glucose (2 g x kg(/​1)) was administered orally with STT (100 mg x kg(/​1)). After treated with STT (100 mg x kg(/​1)) for 14 d, the activities of a/​glucosidase were determined daily, as well as the postprandial blood glucose levels after oraly administered sucrose (2 g x kg(/​1)). RESULT: STT at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg x mL(/​1) reduced significantly the activities of alpha/​glucosidase with inhibitory rates of (20.83 +//​ 1.66)%, (43.73 +//​ 2.39)% and (52.62 +//​ 2.69)%, respectively. In facts STT (100 mg x kg(/​1)) considerably decreased the blood glucose levels which was 52.61% of that of the control in rats co/​administered orally with sucrose (2 g x kg(/​1)). However, it showed no such effect on the rats co/​administered orally with glucose (2 g x kg(/​1)). After orally administered of STT for 14 d, the activity of alpha/​glucosidase was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) to (58.17 +//​ 3.24)% of that those in control. Meanwhile, The rats were oral administered with sucrose, the increase of postprandial blood glucose levels were (69.50 +//​ 4.28)% of that in control 60 min later ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was through inhibiting the activity of a/​glucosidase in small intestines that STT significantly retarded the increase in postprandial blood glucose levels in rats.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 17048632 [PubMed /​ in process]

  
  

  7: Trop Biomed. 2006 Jun;23(1):45/​51.

  Recovery of phosphatase and transaminase activity of mercury intoxicated Mus musculus (Linn.) liver tissue by Tribulus terrestris (Linn.) (Zygophyllaceae) extract.

  Jagadeesan G, Kavitha AV.

  Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar /​ 608 002.

  The efficacy of the methanolic fraction (MF) of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract on mercury intoxicated mice, Mus musculus has been studied. At a median/​lethal dose of mercuric chloride (12.9 mg/kg body wt.) administration an enhanced level of glutamate oxaloacete transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transminase (GPT) and simultaneously decreased level of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALT) activities were noticed in the liver. Due to the mercury toxicity the liver cells are damaged to cause the alterations in their enzymes. During the recovery period, all the enzymological parameters are restored to reach near normal level. The result suggested that the oral administration of MF of T. terrestris fruit extract has (6 mg/kg body wt.) provided protection against the mercuric chloride induced hepatic damage in the mice, M. musculus.

  PMID: 17041551 [PubMed /​ in process]

  
  

  8: Protoplasma. 2006 Aug;228(1/​3):49/​53. Epub 2006 Aug 31.

  Comparative exine ontogeny in some members of the family Zygophyllaceae sensu lato.

  Nasri/​Ayachi MB, Nabli MA.

  Laboratoire de Botanique Fondamentale et Appliquee, Faculte des Sciences, Universite de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.

  Exine ontogeny is studied in five taxa of the family Zygophyllaceae sensu lato (Peganum harmala L., Zygophyllum album L., Fagonia cretica L., Tribulus terrestris L., and Nitraria retusa [Forsk.] Asch.). In the beginning of the tetrad stage, the plasmalemma is attached to the callose wall, except in T. terrestris, where it describes crests and hollows. The primexine matrix is fibrillar, bilayered in T. terrestris and unilayered in the other taxa. In all species except P. harmala, the procolumellae are heterogeneous with clear zones and they become compact later. In T. terrestris, they are built on the crests. In Z. album and T. terrestris, a primordial nexinic lamella is set up. It is tripartite with a white line seen at some levels; on its external leaflet, the foot layer is observed, and on its internal leaflet, there is the endexine with numerous lamellae. This white line disappears often in the mature exine. In T. terrestris, there is a thick nexine that is coarsely lamellate inside. In the aperture zone, the columellae are lacking, the tectum and the foot layer get thinner; they unite and form the apertural membrane with the external part of the endexine. There is a granulolamellar endexinic zone well developed in P. harmala, whereas it is threelayered and weakly developed in T. terrestris.

  Publication Types: Comparative Study

  PMID: 16937054 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  9: Scanning. 2006 Jul/​Aug;28(4):233/​5.

  Scanning electron microscopic observations on micro/​organisms in the root nodules of Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae).

  Mahmood A, Athar M.

  Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.

  Scanning electron microscopic observations were made on the micro/​organisms of root nodules of Tribulus terrestris L. The results showed that nodules of T. terrestris contained dual infection consisting of Rhizobium sp. and Newmania karachiensis. Based on these observations, T. terrestris should be grouped with nonlegume Parasponia/​type bacterial nodules.

  PMID: 16898671 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  10: Trop Biomed. 2005 Jun;22(1):15/​22.

  FT/​IR Study of the influence of Tribulus terrestris on Mercury intoxicated mice, Mus musculus liver.

  Jagadeesan G, Kavitha AV, Subashini J.

  Toxicological Division, Department of Zoology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar/​608 002, Tamilnadu, India.

  FT/​IR spectra of liver tissue isolated from mice, Mus musculus, have been recorded in the region of 4000 /​ 400 cm/​1 for normal, mercury treated and recovery phase. In this study, the total protein content was found to be decreased in the liver tissues after treatment with median/​lethal dose of mercuric chloride. The marked fall in the level of bio/​chemical constituent in the tissue due to metal exposure indicates the rapid initiation of the breakdown of the bio/​chemical constituents to meet the energy demand during toxic stress. During the recovery phase, the decreased levels of bio/​chemical constituents are restored to near normal level. Methanol fractions of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract was administrated on mercury intoxicated mice for 15 days. After the administration, the mercury/​intoxicated animals slowly recovered from the adverse effect of mercury poisoning with the help of plant bio/​formulations. The results are discussed in detail.

  PMID: 16880750 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  11: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2006 Jun;26(6):541/​4.

  [Effect of xinnao shutong capsule on cardiac muscle cell apoptosis and protein expressions of Bcl/​2 and Bax in hyperlipidemia rats after myocardial infarction]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Guo Y, Yin HJ, Shi DZ.

  Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing.

  OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Xinnao Shutong Capsule, whose main ingredients gross saponins from Tribulus Terrestris L (GSTT) on cardiac muscle cell (CMC) apoptosis and expressions of Bcl/​2 Compound rat model of and Bax in murine model of hyperlipemia after myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: MI and hyperlipemia was adopted. TUNEL assay was applied to detect CMC apoptosis after 4 weeks' administration of GSTT or simvastatin, and immunohistochemical SP technique was used to detect the expressions of Bcl/​2 and Bax protein. RESULTS: GSTT can relieve the damage of CMC and attenuate the ventricular remodeling after MI; high dose of GSTT and simvastatin could decrease CMC apoptosis (P<0.05), and lower Bax protein expression (P < 0.05); and there was no significant difference among the effects in all the treated group (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: GSTT can reduce CMC apoptosis through regulating protein expressions of Bcl/​2 and Bax, which may be one of the mechanisms of its anti/​ventricular/​remodeling effects after MI.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 16841674 [PubMed /​ in process]

  
  

  12: Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2006 Apr/​Jun;7(2):289/​94.

  Chemopreventive potential of Tribulus terrestris against 7,12/​ dimethylbenz (a) anthracene induced skin papillomagenesis in mice.

  Kumar M, Soni AK, Shukla S, Kumar A.

  Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur/​302004, India.

  In the present investigation, the chemopreventive potential of aqueous extracts of the root and fruit of Tribulus terrestris (an Ayurvedic medicinal plant) on 7, 12 /​ dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) induced papillomagenesis in male Swiss albino mice was studied. A significant reduction in tumor incidence, tumor burden and cumulative number of papillomas was observed, along with a significant increase in average latent period in mice treated orally with Tribulus terrestris suspension continuously at pre, peri and post/​initiation stages of papillomagenesis as compared to the control group treated with DMBA and croton oil alone. Treatment with Tribulus terrestris suspension by oral gavage for 7 days resulted in a significant increase in the reduced glutathione content in the liver (P< 0.001 for both root and fruit extracts). Conversely, lipid peroxidation levels were significantly decreased (P< 0.001).

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 16839225 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  13: Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Jul;29(7):1383/​6.

  Effect of SA1, a herbal formulation, on sexual behavior and penile erection.

  Park SW, Lee CH, Shin DH, Bang NS, Lee SM.

  College of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea.

  SA1 is a mixture of 9 Oriental herbs (Korean red ginseng, fermented soybean, Tribulus terrestris, Fructus Rubi, Fructus Lycii, Semen Cuscutae, Dioscorea Rhizome, Fructus Corni and Fructus Crataegi) that are widely used as energizers and vitalizers in the indigenous system of medicine and have been alleged to improve the sexual functions in men. This study evaluated SA1 using both in vitro and in vivo experiments on laboratory animals in order to determine its effect on the sexual behavior and penile erection. The male rats used to examine the copulatory behavior were administered either the vehicle or SA1 (30, 100, 300, 600 mg/kg) orally for 2 weeks. The intracavernous pressure and systemic blood pressure were recorded in anesthetized rats. The responses to acetylcholine and SA1 of rabbit corpus cavernosum strips were also examined. There was an overall increase in the copulatory behavior parameters in the SA1/​treated rats, which was reflected by a decrease in the mount and intromission latencies and an increase in the ejaculation latency and mount frequency. SA1 significantly increased the ratio of the intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure. In vitro, SA1 significantly enhanced the relaxation responses to acetylcholine. These results suggest that SA1 improves the sexual activity and erectile function.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 16819173 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  14: Aust Vet J. 2006 Jan/​Feb;84(1/​2):53/​8.

  Abnormal turning behaviour, GABAergic inhibition and the degeneration of astrocytes in ovine Tribulus terrestris motor neuron disease.

  Bourke CA.

  Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange, New South Wales 2800.

  OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical signs of sheep affected by Tribulus terrestris motor neuron disease, to ascertain their response to striatal dopamine reducing drugs, and to examine their brains and spinal cords for microscopic changes. PROCEDURES: Twenty/​eight sheep displaying well developed clinical signs of the disorder were observed. Twenty/​two of these and 22 normal sheep were then randomly allocated to three groups and treated with diazepam, chlorpromazine, or xylazine. The time that it took an animal to return to a standing position following drug administration was recorded. The brain and complete spinal cord were removed from each of the other six affected sheep and fixed in formalin. Brains were sectioned throughout at 5 mm intervals and spinal cords at 10 mm intervals. All tissues were paraffin embedded and examined by light microscopy. A few samples were examined by electron microscopy. RESULTS: Clinical signs included postural asymmetry with a right:left body/​side dominance within the group of 50:50, unequal flaccid paresis in the pelvic limbs, extensor muscle atrophy and adduction of the weaker pelvic limb, and concurrent abduction of the stronger. Forward motion followed either a fixed left or right hand curved trajectory, the sheep no longer being able to choose which. Twelve animals intermittently displayed rotational behaviour that involved loss of postural balance without locomotor activation. The administration of diazepam, chlorpromazine, or xylazine caused limb paresis and sedation, with affected sheep being slower than normal sheep by factors of 8, 3 and 2 respectively, to return to a standing position. There were scattered areas of mild Wallerian degeneration throughout the spinal cord, and in both the brain and the cord there were small numbers of degenerate astrocytes containing novel cytoplasmic pigment granules. CONCLUSIONS: Affected sheep had a dysfunction in the control of directional change and this provides a new insight into the normal mechanism for 'turning' in quadrupeds. Directional change requires a functional asymmetry or lateralisation within the upper motor neuron to accommodate a difference in the rate of forward progression of each body side and, simultaneously, a lateral shift of the centre of gravity. The sensitivity of affected sheep to diazepam is consistent with a pre/​existing elevation in GABAergic neuronal inhibition, probably as a result of a reduction in glutamatergic neuronal excitation. The cytoplasmic pigment found in degenerate astrocytes was novel and its presence in the brain nuclei known to contribute to turning behaviour could have aetiological significance. The motor output of the basal ganglia in Tribulus neurotoxicity appeared to be excessively inhibitory to the pelvic limb extensor muscles and was asymmetric, causing fixation of the turning posture but not locomotor activation. An intoxication of specific purine sensitive, glutamate releasing astrocytes, located in nuclei controlling turning, was suspected.

  PMID: 16498837 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  15: Pak J Pharm Sci. 2004 Jan;17(1):9/​17.

  Bioactivity studies of the individual ingredients of the Dashamularishta.

  Jabbar S, Khan MT, Choudhuri MS, Sil BK.

  Pharmacology Research Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Foy's Lake, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

  The bioactivity studies of the individual ingredients of Dashamularishta/​/​a classical Ayurvedic preparation were done with the aqueous extracts of the individual ingredients. The Aegle marmelos Correa. exhibited severe toxicity to the brine shrimp (BST) nauplii, wheat rootlet growth (WRG) inhibition bioassay and lettuce seed germination (LSG) bioassay. It exhibited no inhibition to the growth of PPR and Reo virus in vero cell line. The Oroxylum indicum exhibited moderate toxicity to the BST and WRG, but it is not toxic to the LSG. It exhibited no inhibition to the growth of PPR and Reo virus. The Stereospermum suaveolens exhibited severe toxicity to the BST and LSG, but it is not toxic to the WRG. It exhibited total inhibition to the growth of Reo virus, but it has not effect on the PPR virus. The Premna integrifolia showed severe toxicity to the BST, but it was not toxic to the WRG and LSG. It exhibited no inhibition to the growth of PPR and Reo virus. The Gmelina arborea exhibited severe toxicity to the BST and WRG, but it is not toxic to the LSG. It exhibited no inhibition to the growth of PPR and Reo virus. The Solanum xanthocarpum showed mild toxicity to the BST, WRG and LSG. It exhibited 75% inhibition to the growth of Reo virus. The Solanum indicum showed no toxicity to the BST, WRG and LSG. It exhibited 75% inhibition to the growth of PPR virus. The Desmodium gangeticum showed no toxicity to the BST, but moderate toxicity to the WRG and LSG. It exhibited total inhibition to the growth of PPR virus. The Uraria lagopoides showed no toxicity to the BST, WRG and LSG. It exhibited total inhibition to the growth of Reo virus. The Tribulus terrestris showed no toxicity to the BST, but showed moderate toxicity to the WRG and LSG. It exhibited 75% inhibition to the growth of both PPR and Reo virus.

  PMID: 16414581 [PubMed]

  
  

  16: Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 Dec;28(12):2211/​5.

  In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of the eight steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris L. with potent activity against fluconazole/​resistant fungal pathogens.

  Zhang JD, Cao YB, Xu Z, Sun HH, An MM, Yan L, Chen HS, Gao PH, Wang Y, Jia XM, Jiang YY.

  Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China.

  Antifungal activity of natural products is being studied widely. Saponins are known to be antifungal and antibacterial. We have isolated eight steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris L., namely TTS/​8, TTS/​9, TTS/​10, TTS/​11, TTS/​12, TTS/​13, TTS/​14 and TTS/​15. TTS/​12 and TTS/​15 were identified as tigogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl(1/​/​>3)]/​beta/​D/​g lucopyranosyl(1/​/​>4)/​[alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)]/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside and tigogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl(1/​/​>3)]/​beta/​D/​ glucopyranosyl(1/​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside, respectively. The in vitro antifungal activities of the eight saponins against six fluconazole/​resistant yeasts, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, and Cryptococcus neoformans were studied using microbroth dilution assay. The results showed that TTS/​12 and TTS/​15 were very effective against several pathogenic candidal species and C. neoformans in vitro. It is noteworthy that TTS/​12 and TTS/​15 were very active against fluconazole/​resistant C. albicans (MIC(80)=4.4, 9.4 microg/ml), C. neoformans (MIC(80)=10.7, 18.7 microg/ml) and inherently resistant C. krusei (MIC(80)=8.8, 18.4 microg/ml). So in vivo activity of TTS/​12 in a vaginal infection model with fluconazole/​resistant C. albicans was studied in particular. Our studies revealed TTS/​12 also showed in vivo activities against fluconazole/​resistant yeasts. In conclusion, steroid saponins TTS/​12 and TTS/​15 from Tribulus terrestris L. have significant in vitro antifungal activity against fluconazole/​resistant fungi, especially TTS/​12 also showed in vivo activity against fluconazole/​resistant C. albicans.

  Publication Types: Comparative Study Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 16327151 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  17: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr 6;104(3):351/​5. Epub 2005 Nov 9.

  Antihypertensive and vasodilator effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris in rats.

  Phillips OA, Mathew KT, Oriowo MA.

  Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait.

  The effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris on rat blood pressure (BP) and the perfused mesenteric vascular bed were investigated. The extracts dose/​dependently reduced BP in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) with the aqueous fraction being more potent than the methanolic fraction at all doses tested. In vitro, the methanolic but not aqueous extract produced a dose/​dependent increase in perfusion pressure of the mesenteric vascular bed. When perfusion pressure was raised with phenylephrine (10(/​5) M), the aqueous extract produced a dose/​dependent reduction in perfusion pressure at all doses. A low dose of the methanolic extract produced a vasoconstrictor effect while higher doses produced dose/​dependent reduction in perfusion pressure. L/​NAME (10(/​4) M) significantly reduced but did not abolish vasodilation induced by the extracts. Vasodilator responses to aqueous and methanolic fractions were significantly reduced in preparations where perfusion pressure was raised with KCl (60 mM). A combination of KCl and L/​NAME abolished the vasodilator responses induced by the extracts. It was concluded that methanolic and aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris possess significant antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The antihypertensive effects appeared to result from a direct arterial smooth muscle relaxation possibly involving nitric oxide release and membrane hyperpolarization.

  Publication Types: In Vitro Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 16289603 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  18: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Aug;30(16):1271/​4.

  [Experimental study of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on renal carcinoma cell line]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Yang HJ, Qu WJ, Sun B.

  School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.

  OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of saponins from Tribulus terrestris (STT) on the renal carcinoma cell (786/​0) in vitro, and inhibitory mechanisms. METHOD: Effects of SIT on the cytotoxicity, morphological changes of apoptosis, cell cycle and expression of Bcl/​2 protein in the 786/​0 were tested respectively by MTT method, Wright and acridine orange stain assay, as well as flow cytometry (FCM). RESULT: After the 786/​0 was treated by STY, it was shown that: 1) A significant cytotoxic effect was observed by MTT assay; 2) Apoptosis/​induced was viewed by Wright and acridine orange stain assay; 3) The distribution of 786/​0 on S phase was increased; 4.) The expression of Bcl/​2 protein and cyclin D1 was decreased. CONCLUSION: STT can significantly inhibit the growth of 786/​0 in vitro, partially, by apoptosis.

  Publication Types: English Abstract Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 16245908 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  19: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jan 3;103(1):76/​84. Epub 2005 Oct 5.

  Antifungal activities and action mechanisms of compounds from Tribulus terrestris L.

  Zhang JD, Xu Z, Cao YB, Chen HS, Yan L, An MM, Gao PH, Wang Y, Jia XM, Jiang YY.

  Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China.

  Antifungal activity of natural products is being studied widely. Saponins are known to be antifungal and antibacterial. We used bioassay/​guided fractionation to have isolated eight steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris L., which were identified as hecogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (TTS/​8), tigogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (TTS/​9), hecogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>2)/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (TTS/​10), hecogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl (1/​/​>3)/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (TTS/​11), tigogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl (1/​/​>2)/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl (1/​/​>3)]/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​[alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl (1/​/​>2)]/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (TTS/​12), 3/​O/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl (1/​/​>2)/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl (1/​/​>3)]/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​[alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl (1/​/​>2)]/​beta/​D/​galactopyranosyl]/​26/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​22/​methoxy/​(3beta,5 alpha,25R)/​furostan/​3,26/​diol (TTS/​13), hecogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>2)/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl (1/​/​>3)]/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (TTS/​14), tigogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>2)/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl (1/​/​>3)]/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (TTS/​15). The in vitro antifungal activities of the eight saponins against five yeasts, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans were studied using microbroth dilution assay. In vivo activity of TTS/​12 in a Candida albicans vaginal infection model was studied in particular. The results showed that TTS/​12 and TTS/​15 were very effective against several pathogenic candidal species and Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro. It is noteworthy that TTS/​12 and TTS/​15 were very active against Candida albicans (MIC(80) = 10 and 2.3 microg/mL) and Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC(80) = 1.7 and 6.7 microg/mL). Phase contrast microscopy showed that TTS/​12 inhibited hyphal formation, an important virulence factor of Candida albicans, and transmission electron microscopy showed that TTS/​12 destroyed the cell membrane of Candida albicans. In conclusion, TTS/​12 has significant in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity, weakening the virulence of Candida albicans and killing fungi through destroying the cell membrane.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 16169173 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  20: J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Oct 3;101(1/​3):319/​23.

  The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris does not influence the androgen production in young men.

  Neychev VK, Mitev VI.

  Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University, 2 Zdrave str., Sofia/​1431, Bulgaria. neychev@dir.bg

  OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to investigate the influence of Tribulus terrestris extract on androgen metabolism in young males. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty/​one healthy young 20/​36 years old men with body weight ranging from 60 to 125 kg were randomly separated into three groups/​two experimental (each n=7) and a control (placebo) one (n=7). The experimental groups were named TT1 and TT2 and the subjects were assigned to consume 20 and 10 mg/kg body weight per day of Tribulus terrestris extract, respectively, separated into three daily intakes for 4 weeks. Testosterone, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone levels in the serum were measured 24 h before supplementation (clear probe), and at 24, 72, 240, 408 and 576 h from the beginning of the supplementation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between Tribulus terrestris supplemented groups and controls in the serum testosterone (TT1 (mean+//​S.D.: 15.75+//​1.75 nmol/l); TT2 (mean+//​S.D.: 16.32+//​1.57 nmol/l); controls (mean+//​S.D.: 17.74+//​1.09 nmol/l) (p>0.05)), androstenedione (TT1 (mean+//​S.D.: 1.927+//​0.126 ng/ml); TT2 (mean+//​S.D.: 2.026+//​0.256 ng/ml); controls (mean+//​S.D.: 1.952+//​0.236 ng/ml) (p>0.05)) or luteinizing hormone (TT1 (mean+//​S.D.: 4.662+//​0.274U/l); TT2 (mean+//​S.D.: 4.103+//​0.869U/l); controls (mean+//​S.D.: 4.170+//​0.406U/l) (p>0.05)) levels. All results were within the normal range. The findings in the current study anticipate that Tribulus terrestris steroid saponins possess neither direct nor indirect androgen/​increasing properties. The study will be extended in the clarifying the probable mode of action of Tribulus terrestris steroid saponins.

  Publication Types: Randomized Controlled Trial

  PMID: 15994038 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  21: Urol Res. 2005 May;33(2):80/​6. Epub 2005 Mar 25.

  Inhibition of the growth of urinary calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate crystals with aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris and Bergenia ligulata.

  Joshi VS, Parekh BB, Joshi MJ, Vaidya AD.

  Crystal Growth Laboratory, Physics Department, Saurashtra University, Rajkot 360, India.

  Urinary type calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CHPD) or Brushite crystals were grown by the single diffusion gel technique in silica hydro/​gels. The gel framework acts as a three dimensional crucible in which the crystal nuclei are delicately held in the position of their formation and nutrients are supplied for their growth. This technique can be utilized as a simplified screening model to study the growth and dissolution of urinary stones in vitro. The action of the putatively litholytic medicinal plants Tribulus terrestris and Bergenia ligulata on the growth of CHPD crystals was studied . The effects of artificial reference urine (ARU) and human urine (HU), along with the plant extracts, are also reported. Attempts were made to understand the role of these inhibitors on urinary crystal formation. HU, ARU, extracts of B. ligulata and T. terrestris exhibit appreciable amounts of inhibition, but B.ligulata and T.terrestris with ARU and HU do not show inhibition at all.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 15791467 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  22: J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 4;96(1/​2):127/​32.

  Effect of Tribulus terrestris on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate/​diaphorase activity and androgen receptors in rat brain.

  Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG.

  Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore.

  Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) have been used as an aphrodisiac both in the Indian and Chinese traditional systems of medicine. Administration of Tribulus terrestris extract (TT) increased sexual behaviour and intracavernous pressure both in normal and castrated rats and these effects were probably due to the androgen increasing property of TT. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of TT on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate/​diaphorase (NADPH/​d) activity and androgen receptor (AR) immunoreactivity in rat brain. Twenty/​four adult male Sprague/​Dawley rats were divided into two groups of twelve each. Group I was treated with distilled water and Group II was treated with TT at the dose of 5mg/kg body weight orally, once daily for 8 weeks. Following treatment transcardiac perfusion was done with Ringer lactate, 4% paraformaldehyde and 30% sucrose. The brain tissue was removed and sections of the paraventricular (PVN) area of hypothalamus were taken for NADPH/​d and AR immunostaining. There was an increase in both NADPH/​d (67%) and AR immunoreactivity (58%) in TT treated group and these results were statistically significant compared to the control. Chronic treatment of TT in rats increases the NADPH/​d positive neurons and AR immunoreactivity in the PVN region. Androgens are known to increase both AR and NADPH/​d positive neurons either directly or by its conversion to oestrogen. The mechanism for the observed increase in AR and NADPH/​d positive neurons in the present study is probably due to the androgen increasing property of TT. The findings from the present study add further support to the aphrodisiac claims of TT.

  PMID: 15588660 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  23: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004 Jul;29(7):681/​4.

  [Investigation on inhibitory and apoptosis/​inducing effects of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on hepatoma cell line BEL/​7402]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Sun B, Qu WJ, Zhang XL, Yang HJ, Zhuang XY, Zhang P.

  Life Science School, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.

  OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory and apoptosis/​inducing effects of saponins from Tribulus terrestris (STT) on liver cancer cell line BEL/​7402. METHOD: MTT, SRB, Wright staining, acridine orange staining, flow cytometry, and Immunofluorescence microscopy were used to evaluate the effects of STT on BEL/​7402 cell line. RESULT: SMT had potent inhibitory effect on BEL/​7402 cell line in a concentration/​dependent manner. BEL/​7402 cells exibited typical morphological alteration of apoptosis when sub/​G1 peak could be seen. The expression of Bcl/​2 was decreased in STT treated cells as compared with untreated control cells. CONCLUSION: STT exerts its cytotoxic effect on BEL/​7402 cells by inducing apoptosis.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 15503780 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  24: Magn Reson Chem. 2004 Nov;42(11):990/​3.

  Dependence of 1H NMR chemical shifts of geminal protons of glycosyloxy methylene (H2/​26) on the orientation of the 27/​methyl group of furostane/​type steroidal saponins.

  Agrawal PK.

  Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow/​226015, India. pkagrawal11@hotmail.com

  An approach based on the difference (Delta(ab) = delta(a) /​ delta(b)) between the 1H NMR chemical shifts (delta(a), delta(b)) of the geminal protons of glycosyloxy methylene (H2/​26) (Delta(ab) = <0.48 for 25R; Delta(ab) = >0.57 for 25S) is proposed for ascertaining 25R/25S orientation of the 27/​methyl group of furostane/​type steroidal saponins. These studies suggested the 25R/​orientation of the 27/​Me group for the furostanol glycosides isolated by Wu et al. from Tribulus terrestris. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  PMID: 15386548 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  25: J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Mar;91(1):57/​60.

  Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of some Turkish medicinal plants.

  Orhan I, Sener B, Choudhary MI, Khalid A.

  Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, 06330 Ankara, Turkey. iorhan@gazi.edu.tr

  The chloroform:medianol (1:1) extracts of a number of the plant species belonging to eight families, namely Corydalis solida (L.) Swartz subsp. solida and Glaucium corniculatum (L.) J. H. Rudolph (Papaveraceae), Rhododendron ponticum L. subsp. ponticum and Rhododendron luteum Sweet. (Ericaceae), Buxus sempervirens L. (Buxaceae), Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae), Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Caeselpiniaceae), Tribulus terrestris L. and Zygophyllum fabago L. (Zygophyllaceae), Lycopodium clavatum L. (Lycopodiaceae), Fumaria vaillantii Lois., Fumaria capreolata L., Fumaria kralikii Jordan, Fumaria asepala Boiss., Fumaria densiflora DC., Fumaria flabellata L., Fumaria petteri Reichb. subsp. thuretii (Boiss.) Pugsley, Fumaria macrocarpa Boiss. ex Hausskn., Fumaria cilicica Hauskkn., Fumaria parviflora Lam. and Fumaria judaica Boiss. (Fumariaceae) were screened for their anticholinesterase activity on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes by in vitro Ellman method at 10 microg/ml and 1 mg/ml concentrations. The extracts did not show any noticeable inhibitory activity against both of the enzymes at 10 microg/ml. The extracts of Rhododendron ponticum subsp. ponticum, Rhododendron luteum, Corydalis solida subsp. solida, Glaucium corniculatum, and Buxus sempervirens showed remarkable inhibitory activity above 50% inhibition rate on AChE at 1 mg/ml. Among them, Rhododendron ponticum subsp. ponticum, Corydalis solida subsp. solida and Buxus sempervirens were the most active extracts against BChE having 95.46 +//​ 1.03%, 93.08 +//​ 0.97%, and 93.45 +//​ 0.88% inhibition rates, respectively. Among the extracts screened, all of the Fumaria extracts displayed highly potent inhibition against both of the enzymes at 1 mg/ml concentration compared to the standard.

  PMID: 15036468 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  26: Fitoterapia. 2004 Mar;75(2):117/​22.

  A novel furostanol saponin from Tribulus terrestris of Bulgarian origin.

  Conrad J, Dinchev D, Klaiber I, Mika S, Kostova I, Kraus W.

  Department of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.

  The phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris of Bulgarian origin has resulted in the isolation of the novel furostanol saponin 1, named tribol, together with the known spirostanol saponins 2 and 3 and sitosterol glucoside. The structure of tribol was determined as (25R)/​furost/​5(6)/​ene/​3beta,16,26/​triol/​3/​O/​alpha/​rhamnopyranosyl/​(1/​/​>2)/​[alpha /​rhamnopyranosyl/​(1/​/​>4)]/​beta/​glucopyranoside (1) by spectral analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D/​NMR experiments.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 15030914 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  27: J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2004 Feb;15(2):133/​41.

  Structural analysis of saponins from medicinal herbs using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

  Liu S, Cui M, Liu Z, Song F, Mo W.

  Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun, China. mslab@nc.ciac.jl.cn

  The underivatized saponins from Tribulus terrestris and Panax ginseng have been investigated by electrospray ionization multi/​stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/​MS(n)). In ESI/​MS spectra, a predominant [M + Na](+) ion in positive mode and [M /​ H](/​) ion in negative mode were observed for molecular mass information. Multi/​stage tandem mass spectrometry of the molecular ions was used for detailed structural analysis. Fragment ions from glycoside cleavage can provide information on the mass of aglycone and the primary sequence and branching of oligosaccharide chains in terms of classes of monosaccharides. Fragment ions from cross/​ring cleavages of sugar residues can give some information about the linkages between sugar residues. It was found that different alkali metal/​cationized adducts with saponins have different degrees of fragmentation, which may originate from the different affinity of a saponin with each alkali metal in the gas phase. ESI/​MS(n) has been proven to be an effective tool for rapid determination of native saponins in extract mixtures, thus avoiding tedious derivatization and separation steps.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 14766280 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  28: J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2003 Dec;5(4):285/​90.

  Terrestrinins A and B, two new steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris.

  Huang JW, Tan CH, Jiang SH, Zhu DY.

  State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 294 Taiyuan Road, Shanghai 200031, People's Republic of China.

  Two new steroid saponins, named terrestrinins A (1) and B (2), along with six known compounds were isolated from the Chinese medicine herb Tribulus terrestris, and their chemical structures were elucidated as 26/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​(25S)/​furostan/​4(5),20(22)/​diene/​3,12/​dione (1) and 26/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​(25S)/​5alpha/​furostane/​3beta,22alpha,26/​triol/​3/​O/​bet a/​D/​xylopyranosyl(1 /​/​> 3)/​[(beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl(1 /​/​> 2)]/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl(1 /​/​> 4)/​[alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl(1 /​/​> 2)]/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (2) on the basis of spectroscopic techniques.

  PMID: 14604238 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  29: J Am Coll Nutr. 2003 Oct;22(5):363/​71.

  Ingestion of a dietary supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione has minimal effect on immune function in middle/​aged men.

  Kohut ML, Thompson JR, Campbell J, Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Jackson DA, King DS.

  Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA. mkohut@iastate.edu

  OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of four weeks of intake of a supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and herbal extracts on immune function in middle/​aged men. DESIGN: Subjects consumed either an oral placebo or an oral supplement for four weeks. The supplement contained a total daily dose of 150 mg DHEA, 300 mg androstenedione, 750 mg Tribulus terrestris, 625 mg chrysin, 300 mg indole/​3/​carbinol and 540 mg saw palmetto. MEASUREMENTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to assess phytohemagglutinin(PHA)/​induced lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. The cytokines measured were interleukin (IL)/​2, IL/​4, IL/​10, IL/​1beta, and interferon (IFN)/​gamma. Serum free testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were also measured. RESULTS: The supplement significantly increased serum levels of androstenedione, free testosterone, estradiol and DHT during week 1 to week 4. Supplement intake did not affect LPS or ConA proliferation and had minimal effect on PHA/​induced proliferation. LPS/​induced production of IL/​1beta, and PHA/​induced IL/​2, IL/​4, IL/​10, or IFN/​gamma production was not altered by the supplement. The addition of the same supplement, DHEA or androstenedione alone to lymphocyte cultures in vitro did not alter lymphocyte proliferation, IL/​2, IL/​10, or IFN/​gamma, but did increase IL/​4. In addition, serum HDL/​C concentration significantly declined. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, although chronic intake of a complex dietary supplement containing DHEA, androstenedione and herbal extracts increases serum androgen levels, it has minimal effect on immune function in middle/​aged men.

  Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 14559928 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  30: Zhong Yao Cai. 2003 May;26(5):341/​4.

  [Effect of saponin from Tribulus terrestris on hyperlipidemia]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Chu S, Qu W, Pang X, Sun B, Huang X.

  School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062.

  The preventive and therapeutic effects of saponin from Tribulus terrestris L. on diet/​induced hyperlipidemia in mice have been studied. It showed that in preventive experiment the saponin could significantly low the levels of serum TC (P < 0.05), LDL/​c (P < 0.01) and liver TC (P < 0.05), TG (P < 0.05), and increase the activities of superoxide/​dismutase (SOD) in liver. The therapeutic experiment showed that the saponin could significantly reduce the contents of serum TC (P < 0.05) and liver TC (P < 0.01).

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 14535016 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  31: Life Sci. 2003 Oct 24;73(23):2963/​71.

  Study of antihypertensive mechanism of Tribulus terrestris in 2K1C hypertensive rats: role of tissue ACE activity.

  Sharifi AM, Darabi R, Akbarloo N.

  Department of Pharmacology, Razi Institute for Drug Research and Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 14155/​6183 Tehran, Iran. sharifal@yahoo.com

  Tribulus terrestris is a natural herb used for treating many diseases including hypertension. According to previous reports, aqueous extract of tribulus fruits may have some antihypertensive effect with an unknown mechanism. The present study investigated the antihypertensive mechanism of tribulus in 2K1C hypertensive rats by measurement of circulatory and local ACE activity in aorta, heart, kidney and lung. Four groups of rats were selected; control, sham, operated or hypertensive and tribulus treated hypertensive group. Hypertension was induced using silver clip on renal artery by surgery. Four weeks after surgery, a single daily dose of 10 mg/kg of lyophilized aqueous extract of tribulus fruit were given orally to 2K1C rats for four weeks. ACE activity was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Blood pressure was measured by the tail/​cuff method. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly increased in 2K1C rats compared to control rats. The SBP of tribulus fed hypertensive rats was significantly decreased compared to hypertensive rats. The ACE activity in all tissues of 2K1C rats including: aorta, heart, kidney, lung as well as serum were significantly increased compared to normal rats. The ACE activity in all tissues of tribulus fed hypertensive rats was significantly lower than that of hypertensive rats, which was more pronounced in kidney. These results indicated that there is a negative correlation between consumption of tribulus and ACE activity in serum and different tissues in 2K1C rats.

  PMID: 14519445 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  32: Fitoterapia. 2003 Sep;74(6):583/​91.

  Furostanol saponins from Tribulus terrestris.

  De Combarieu E, Fuzzati N, Lovati M, Mercalli E.

  Research and Development Laboratories, Indena SpA, Via Don Minzoni 6, Settala (MI) 20090, Italy.

  An HPLC/​ELSD/​ESI/​MS method has been developed for the analysis of the steroidal saponins in the aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris. Protodioscin, a new saponin (5,6/​dihydroprotodioscin, neoprotodioscin) and their respective sulfates were detected. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of NMR and ESI/​MS spectral analysis.

  PMID: 12946722 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  33: J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Apr;9(2):257/​65.

  Sexual effects of puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) extract (protodioscin): an evaluation using a rat model.

  Gauthaman K, Ganesan AP, Prasad RN.

  Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

  OBJECTIVE: 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. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 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.

  PMID: 12804079 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  34: Zhong Yao Cai. 2003 Feb;26(2):104/​6.

  [The inhibitory effect of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on Bcap/​37 breast cancer cell line in vitro]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Sun B, Qu W, Bai Z.

  Life Science School of East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062.

  The inhibitory effect of saponins from Tribulus terrestris (STT) on Bcap37 breast cancer cell line were determined by cell growth curve, MTT assay, protein content assay and morphological observation. The results showed that STT had potent inhibitory effect on Bcap/​37 cell line in a concentration/​dependent manner. Bcap/​37 cell exhibited morphological alteration, namely, cells got round and shrunk, nuclei contracted after treating with STT.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 12795220 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  35: J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Apr;85(2/​3):257/​60.

  Tribulus terrestris: preliminary study of its diuretic and contractile effects and comparison with Zea mays.

  Al/​Ali M, Wahbi S, Twaij H, Al/​Badr A.

  Department of Urology, St. Bartholomew's, The Royal London & Homerton University Hospitals, 224B East End Road, East Finchley, N2 8AX, London, UK. alalimun@hotmail.com

  OBJECTIVES: Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) which is called Al/​Gutub (in Iraqi dialect) or Quti;ba (in classical Arabic medicine), and Zea mays were both used alone or in combination by Iraqi herbalists to propel urinary stones. We studied the aqueous extract of the leaves and fruits of T. terrestris and the hair of Z. mays, to determine their diuretic activity and the contractile effect of T. terrestris. METHODS: The aqueous extract was filtered and the solvent was evaporated to produce a dry crude extract. The dry extract was then dissolved in physiological saline to make the required concentrations. Wistar male rats were used for the diuresis test and strips of isolated Guinea pig ileum were used for the contractility test. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of T. terrestris, in oral dose of 5g/kg elicited a positive diuresis, which was slightly more than that of furosemide. Z. mays aqueous extract did not result in significant diuresis when given alone in oral dose of 5g/kg, while combination of Z. mays and T. terrestris extracts produced the same extent of diuresis as that produced by T. terrestris alone. Na(+), K(+) and Cl(+) concentrations in the urine had also much increased. In addition to its diuretic activity T. terrestris had evoked a contractile activity on Guinea pig ileum. CONCLUSION: T. terrestris has long been used empirically to propel urinary stones. The diuretic and contractile effects of T. terrestris indicate that it has the potential of propelling urinary stones and merits further pharmacological studies.

  Publication Types: Comparative Study

  PMID: 12639749 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  36: Vet Res Commun. 2003 Jan;27(1):53/​62.

  Experimental Tribulus terrestris poisoning in sheep: clinical, laboratory and pathological findings.

  Aslani MR, Movassaghi AR, Mohri M, Pedram M, Abavisani A.

  Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, PO Box 91775/​1793, Mashhad, Iran

  Eleven native sheep, 1/​2 years old, of both sexes were randomly divided into two groups, 6 sheep being allocated to the experimental group and 5 serving as controls. The sheep in the experimental group were fed 80% Tribulus terrestris and 20% alfalfa hay and wheat straw, while the control sheep were given a mixture of 40% alfalfa hay and 60% wheat straw. Clinical signs of hepatogenous photosensitivity were observed from day 11, including reddening and crust formation on the muzzle, nose, ears and eyelids, depression, weight loss, icterus, conjunctivitis, and yellow discoloration of the urine. Laboratory findings on weekly samples indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in white blood cell count, total plasma protein and fibrinogen, total and direct bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, and aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. There were no significant differences in the packed cell volume, in the neutrophil, lymphocyte or eosinophil counts, or in the serum calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium or chloride concentrations. At necropsy of the experimental animals, there were various degrees of generalized icterus and the livers were swollen and discolored by bile pigment. Histopathological examination revealed varying amounts of crystalloid material in the bile ducts and renal tubules, hepatocellular degeneration, biliary fibrosis and proliferation, renal tubular necrosis and focal necrosis of cardiac muscle.

  PMID: 12625403 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  37: Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec;9(8):753/​6.

  Tribulosin and beta/​sitosterol/​D/​glucoside, the anthelmintic principles of Tribulus terrestris.

  Deepak M, Dipankar G, Prashanth D, Asha MK, Amit A, Venkataraman BV.

  Phytochemistry Laboratory, R&D Centre, Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd., Veerasandra Indl. Area, Bangalore, India.

  Successive extracts of Tribulus terrestris prepared using petroleum ether, chloroform, 50% methanol and water were tested for anthelmintic activity in/​vitro using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The activity could be detected only in 50% methanol extract which on further bioactivity guided fractionation and chromatographic separation yielded a spirostanol type saponin, tribulosin and beta/​sitosterol/​D/​glucoside. Both the compounds exhibited anthelmintic activity with ED50 of 76.25 and 82.50 microg/ml respectively.

  PMID: 12587699 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  38: Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 Jun;25(6):420/​2.

  [Hypoglycemic effect of saponin from Tribulus terrestris]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Li M, Qu W, Wang Y, Wan H, Tian C.

  School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062.

  OBJECTIVE: To study the hypoglycemic effect of saponin from Tribulus terrestris L. METHOD: Alloxan was used to establish the diabetic model in mice. Phenformin Hydrochlride Tables was used as the positive control. The level of glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and SOD in serum were determined. RESULTS: The level of serum glucose could be significantly reduced by saponin from Tribulus terrestris, which was the rate of 26.25% and 40.67% in normal mice and diabetic mice in respectively. The level of serum triglyceride could be reduced 23.35%. The saporin could also decrease the content of serum cholesterol. Serum SOD activity of the mice was increased by the saponin. CONCLUSION: Saponin from Tribulue terrestris could significantly reduce the level of serum glucose.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 12583337 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  39: Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2001 Oct;36(10):750/​3.

  [Studies on the chemical constituents from Tribulus terrestris]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Xu YJ, Xie SX, Zhao HF, Han D, Xu TH, Xu DM.

  Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica of Jilin Province, Changchun 130021, China. yajuanxu@Yahoo.com

  AIM: To investigate the chemical constituents of the fruit of Tribulus terrestris J.. METHODS: Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate the chemical constituents. ESIMS, IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and HMBC were used to determine the structures of the isolated constituents. RESULTS: Two new compounds were isolated from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris J. and were identified as neohecogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>2)/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (I); neohecogenin/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (II). CONCLUSION: Compounds I and II are new steroidal saponins.

  Publication Types: English Abstract Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 12579974 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  40: Zhong Yao Cai. 2000 Nov;23(11):675/​7.

  [The descriptions, microscopic and TLC identification of Tribulus terrestris L.]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Zhang J, Wang Z, Zhang X, Jin J, Yang F.

  Hongqi Pharmaceutical Factory, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai 201111.

  The descriptions, microscopic and TLC identification of Tribulus terrestris L. were carried out. It provided evidences for the identification of Tribulus terrestris L.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 12575256 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  41: Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2002 Nov;22(11):1017/​9.

  [Effect of Tribulus terrestris L decoction of different concentrations on tyrosinase activity and the proliferation of melanocytes]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Deng Y, Yang L, An SL.

  Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.

  OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of the decoction of Tribulus terrestris L on tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis. METHODS: MTT was employed to study the proliferation of human melanocytes cultured in vitro, and tyrosinase activity was estimated by measuring the rate of oxidation of DL/​dopa, after the cells were treated with different concentrations of decoction of Tribulus terrestris L. RESULTS: The treatment with the decoction increased the amount of melanin at higher concentrations but act to the reverse effect at lower concentrations, with the best concentrations for promoting and inhibiting the cell growth being 1.5 mg/ml (P<0.05) and 0.5 mg/ml (P<0.05) respectively. At high concentrations the decoction enhanced the tyrosinase activity that was inhibited at low concentrations. The best concentrations for enhancing and inhibiting tyrosinase activity were 100 mg/ml (P<0.05) and 10 mg/ml (P<0.05) respectively. CONCLUSION: Tribulus terrestris L decoction exercises a two/​way regulation on the activity of tyrosinase and the proliferation of melanocytes.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 12433636 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  
  42: J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Nov;83(1/​2):153/​9.

  Evaluation of natural products on inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX/​2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cultured mouse macrophage cells.

  Hong CH, Hur SK, Oh OJ, Kim SS, Nam KA, Lee SK.

  Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, 11/​1 Daehyun/​dong, Seodaemun/​ku, 120/​750, Seoul, South Korea.

  The inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis and nitric oxide production have been considered as potential anti/​inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. In this study, we evaluated approximately 170 methanol extracts of natural products including Korean herbal medicines for the inhibition of prostaglandin E(2) production (for COX/​2 inhibitors) and nitric oxide formation (for iNOS inhibitors) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/​induced mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells. As a result, several extracts such as Aristolochia debilis, Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum loureirii, Curcuma zedoaria, Eugenia caryophyllata, Pterocarpus santalius, Rehmania glutinosa and Tribulus terrestris showed potent inhibition of COX/​2 activity (>80% inhibition at the test concentration of 10 micro g/ml). In addition, the extracts of A. debilis, Caesalpinia sappan, Curcuma longa, C. zedoaria, Daphne genkwa and Morus alba were also considered as potential inhibitors of iNOS activity (>70% inhibition at the test concentration of 10 micro g/ml). These active extracts mediating COX/​2 and iNOS inhibitory activities are warranted for further elucidation of active principles for development of new cancer chemopreventive and/or anti/​inflammatory agents.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 12413723 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  43: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1998 Dec;23(12):709/​11, 762.

  [Investigation on resources and commodities of Chinese medicinal herbs of Jili]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Shi Q, Yu B, Xu L, Xu G.

  Department of Pharmacognosy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210038.

  OBJECTIVE: To make clear the current situation of application of the Chinese medicinal herbs of Jili. METHOD: The medicinal resources and commodities of the berbs in some provinces and cities in China were investigated. RESULT: The species Tribulus terrestris included in <Pharmacopolia of the Peoples Republic of China> is widely distributed in China. The fruit of T. terrestris which is widely used in China as a traditional medicine is commonly called Yingjili. Being only the fruit of Atriplex entralasiatica Ruanjili is produced mainly in Shandong Province and customarily used as Fructus Tribuli in some areas of Shandong and Hebei Provinces. CONCLUSION: The current situation of medicinal application of Jili basically conforms to the requirements of <Pharmacopolia of the Peoples Republic of China>. The main variety is Yingjili.

  Publication Types: Comparative Study English Abstract Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 12242817 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  44: Nat Prod Lett. 2002 Aug;16(4):243/​7.

  A new steroidal saponin from Tribulus terrestris Linn.

  Sun W, Gao J, Tu G, Guo Z, Zhang Y.

  Department of Biology, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.

  A new steroidal saponin containing six monosaccharides was obtained from the total plant of Tribulus terrestris and elucidated based on chemical spectroscopic analysis, especially on 2D/​NMR technology as 26/​0/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​22/​methoxy/​furostane/​3/​O/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl(l /​/​> 3)/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl(l /​/​> 2)/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl(1 /​/​> 4)]]/​[alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosy(l /​/​> 2)]/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside.

  PMID: 12168759 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  45: Pharmazie. 2002 Jul;57(7):491/​3.

  Biologically active steroidal glycosides from Tribulus terrestris.

  Bedir E, Khan IA, Walker LA.

  National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, USA.

  The steroidal saponin constituents obtained from Tribulus terrestris were tested for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects. The spirostanol/​based steroidal saponins 1/​3 exhibited remarkable activity against fungal organisms (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans) and cancer cell lines [human malignant melanoma (SK/​MEL), human oral epidermoid carcinoma (KB), human breast ductal carcinoma (BT/​549), and human ovary carcinoma (SK/​OV/​3)], while none of the compounds possessing the furostanol framework 4/​7 showed activity. The most active spirostanol glycoside, compound 3 exhibited a broad range of anticancer activity against cell lines, SK/​MEL, KB, BT/​549 and SK/​OV/​3 at IC50s of 6.0, 7.0, 6.0 and 8.2 micrograms/ml, respectively, while compounds 1 and 2 showed selective cytotoxicity against SK/​MEL at 6.7 and 9.1 micrograms/ml, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in antifungal bioassay for compounds 1/​3 varied from 1.5 to 6.2 micrograms/ml, which prompted to conclude certain structural features are required for these bioactivities.

  Publication Types: Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

  PMID: 12168535 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  46: Life Sci. 2002 Aug 9;71(12):1385/​96.

  Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats.

  Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG, Prasad RN.

  Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119704, Singapore.

  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).

  PMID: 12127159 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  47: Z Naturforsch [C]. 2002 Jan/​Feb;57(1/​2):33/​8.

  Two new sulfated furostanol saponins from Tribulus terrestris.

  Kostova I, Dinchev D, Rentsch GH, Dimitrov V, Ivanova A.

  Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria. kostiv1@yahoo.com

  The known furostanol saponins methylprotodioscin and protodioscin and two new sulfated saponins, sodium salt of 26/​O/​beta/​glucopyranosyl/​22alpha/​methoxy/​(25R)/​furost/​5/​ene/​3beta,26/​diol/​3/​O/​al pha/​rhamnopyranosyl/​(1/​/​>2)/​beta/​4/​O/​sulfo/​glucopyranoside (methylprototribestin) and sodium salt of 26/​O/​beta/​glucopyranosyl/​22alpha/​hydroxy/​(25R)/​furost/​5/​ene/​3beta,26/​diol/​3/​O/​al pha/​rhamnopyranosyl/​(1/​/​>2)/​beta/​4/​O/​sulfo/​glucopyranoside (prototribestin) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Bulgaria. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D (DQF/​COSY, TOCSY, HSQC/​TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY) NMR data, ESI mass spectra and chemical transformation.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 11926540 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  48: J Pharm Sci. 2001 Nov;90(11):1752/​8.

  Determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris by reversed/​phase high/​performance liquid chromatography and evaporative light scattering detection.

  Ganzera M, Bedir E, Khan IA.

  National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA.

  This paper describes the first analytical method suitable for the determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris. A separation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was achieved by using a reversed/​phase (RP/​18) column, evaporative light scattering (ELS) detection, and a water/acetonitrile gradient as the mobile phase. The marker compound, protodioscin, was detected at a concentration as low as 10.0 microg/mL. Several different samples of plant material were successfully analyzed, and depending on origin and plant part used for extraction, significant differences in the composition of the saponins were observed. The analysis of market products showed considerable variations of 0.17 to 6.49% in the protodioscin content. Copyright 2001 Wiley/​Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

  PMID: 11745732 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  49: Lijec Vjesn. 2001 Jul/​Aug;123(7/​8):177/​8.

  [A bronchial polyp and foreign body in an adolescent]

  [Article in Croatian]

  Raos M, Bumber Z, Kovac K.

  Specijalna bolnica za bolesti disnog sustava djece i mladezi, Srebrnjak 100, 10000 Zagreb.

  A fifteen/​year/​old adolescent with recurrent pneumonia in the last two years is presented. The polyp in the lobar bronchus for the right inferior lobe and a foreign body in posterobasal segmental bronchus were found on bronchoscopy. The polyp (patHohistologically confirmed granulomatous tissue) and foreign body (thorny fruit of small caltrops, Tribulus terrestris) were extracted through a rigid ventilatory bronchoscope. The polyp presumably developed from the thorn of the fruit stuck in bronchial mucosa.

  Publication Types: Case Reports English Abstract

  PMID: 11729612 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  50: Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2001 Sep;71(5):293/​301.

  Effects of androstenedione/​herbal supplementation on serum sex hormone concentrations in 30/​ to 59/​year/​old men.

  Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Martini ER, Kohut ML, Franke WD, Jackson DA, King DS.

  Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.

  The effectiveness of a nutritional supplement designed to enhance serum testosterone concentrations and prevent the formation of dihydrotestosterone and estrogens from the ingested androgens was investigated in healthy 30/​ to 59/​year old men. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume DION (300 mg androstenedione, 150 mg dehydroepiandrosterone, 540 mg saw palmetto, 300 mg indole/​3/​carbinol, 625 mg chrysin, and 750 mg Tribulus terrestris per day; n = 28) or placebo (n = 27) for 28 days. Serum free testosterone, total testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, prostate/​specific antigen (PSA), and lipid concentrations were measured before and throughout the 4/​week supplementation period. Serum concentrations of total testosterone and PSA were unchanged by supplementation. DION increased (p < 0.05) serum androstenedione (342%), free testosterone (38%), dihydrotestosterone (71%), and estradiol (103%) concentrations. Serum HDL/​C concentrations were reduced by 5.0 mg/dL in DION (p < 0.05). Increases in serum free testosterone (r2 = 0.01), androstenedione (r2 = 0.01), dihydrotestosterone (r2 = 0.03), or estradiol (r2 = 0.07) concentrations in DION were not related to age. While the ingestion of androstenedione combined with herbal products increased serum free testosterone concentrations in older men, these herbal products did not prevent the conversion of ingested androstenedione to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone.

  Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 11725694 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  51: Zhong Yao Cai. 2001 Aug;24(8):586/​8.

  [Effect of the decoction of tribulus terrestris on mice gluconeogenesis]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Li M, Qu W, Chu S, Wang H, Tian C, Tu M.

  School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062.

  The decoction of Tribulus terresteis could significantly inhibit the gluconeogenesis and influence glycometabolism on normal mice. The decoction could also reduce the level of triglyceride and the content of cholesterol in the plasma.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 11715199 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  52: J Am Coll Nutr. 2001 Oct;20(5):520/​8.

  Endocrine and lipid responses to chronic androstenediol/​herbal supplementation in 30 to 58 year old men.

  Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Martini ER, Kohut ML, Franke WD, Jackson DA, King DS.

  Department of Health and Hunan Performance, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA.

  OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of an androgenic nutritional supplement designed to enhance serum testosterone concentrations and prevent the formation of dihydrotestosterone and estrogen was investigated in healthy 3 to 58 year old men. DESIGN: Subjects were randomly assigned to consume a nutritional supplement (AND/​HB) containing 300/​mg androstenediol, 480/​mg saw palmetto, 450/​mg indole/​3/​carbinol, 300/​mg chrysin, 1,500 mg gamma/​linolenic acid and 1.350/​mg Tribulus terrestris per day (n = 28), or placebo (n = 27) for 28 days. Subjects were stratified into age groups to represent the fourth (30 year olds, n = 20), fifth (40 year olds, n = 20) and sixth (50 year olds, n = 16) decades of life. MEASUREMENTS: Serum free testosterone, total testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, prostate specific antigen and lipid concentrations were measured before supplementation and weekly for four weeks. RESULTS: Basal serum total testosterone, estradiol, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations were not different between age groups. Basal serum free testosterone concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in the 30/​ (70.5 +//​ 3.6 pmol/L) than in the 50 year olds (50.8 +//​ 4.5 pmol/L). Basal serum androstenedione and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations were significantly higher in the 30/​ (for androstenedione and DHT, respectively, 10.4 +//​ 0.6 nmol/L and 2198.2 +//​ 166.5 pmol/L) than in the 40/​ (6.8 +//​ 0.5 nmol/L and 1736.8 +//​ 152.0 pmol/L) or 50 year olds (6.0 +//​ 0.7 nmol/L and 1983.7 +//​ 147.8 pmol/L). Basal serum hormone concentrations did not differ between the treatment groups. Serum concentrations of total testosterone and PSA were unchanged by supplementation. Ingestion of AND/​HB resulted in increased (p < 0.05) serum androstenedione (174%), free testosterone (37%), DHT (57%) and estradiol (86%) throughout the four weeks. There was no relationship between the increases in serum free testosterone, androstenedione, DHT, or estradiol and age (r2 = 0.08, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.02, respectively). Serum HDL/​C concentrations were reduced (p < 0.05) by 0.14 mmol/L in AND/​HB. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that ingestion of androstenediol combined with herbal products does not prevent the formation of estradiol and dihydrotestosterone.

  Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 11601567 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  53: Planta Med. 2001 Mar;67(2):196/​8.

  Steroidal saponins from Tribulus terrestris.

  Cai L, Wu Y, Zhang J, Pei F, Xu Y, Xie S, Xu D.

  Three new steroidal saponins were isolated from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris, and their structures were elucidated as (25R,S)/​5 alpha/​spirostane/​12/​one/​3 beta/​ol/​3/​O/​beta/​xylopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)/​ [beta/​xylopyranosyl(1/​/​>3)]/​beta/​glucopyranosyl(1/​/​>4)/​[alpha/​rhamno/​ pyranosyl(1/​/​>2)]/​beta/​galactopyranoside; 26/​O/​beta/​glucopyranosyl/​(25S)/​5 alpha/​furostane/​12/​one/​3 beta,22 alpha,26/​triol/​3/​O/​beta/​glucopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)/​beta/​galactopyranoside; 26/​O/​beta/​glucopyranosyl/​(25S)/​5 alpha/​furostane/​12/​one/​3 beta,22 alpha,26/​triol/​3/​O/​beta/​glucopyranosyl(1/​/​>4)/​[alpha/​ rhamnopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)]/​beta/​galactopyranoside, respectively, by spectroscopic analysis and color reaction.

  Publication Types: Letter

  PMID: 11301880 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  54: J Vet Diagn Invest. 2001 Mar;13(2):170/​2.

  Experimentally induced cholangiohepatopathy by dosing sheep with fractionated extracts from Brachiaria decumbens.

  Cruz C, Driemeier D, Pires VS, Schenkel EP.

  Department of Veterinary Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

  Cholangiohepatopathy was induced in 5 lambs by oral administration of extracts from signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) in Brazil. Grossly there were pale foci multifocally distributed throughout the hepatic parenchyma in 4 lambs. The microscopic changes, which were similar to those produced by other steroidal sapogenins/​containing plants such as Tribulus terrestris and Panicum spp., included multifocal cholangitis, bile duct proliferation, and the presence of crystals in the biliary system.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 11289217 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  55: J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 Feb;74(2):173/​9.

  Screening of Yemeni medicinal plants for antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.

  Ali NA, Julich WD, Kusnick C, Lindequist U.

  Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen.

  Ethanolic extracts of 20 selected plant species used by Yemeni traditional healers to treat infectious diseases were screened for their antibacterial activity against both Gram/​positive and Gram/​negative bacteria, as well as for cytotoxic activity. Fourteen of the ethanolic extracts showed variable degrees of antibacterial activity. The active ethanolic extracts were partitioned between ethyl acetate and water for a first separation. The ethyl acetate extract of Lawsonia inermis was found to be the most active one against all bacteria in the test system. Other promising results could be obtained from extracts of Aloe perryi, Indigofera oblongifolia, Meriandra benghalensis and Ziziphus spina christi. Additionally, the ethanolic extracts of the 20 plants under investigation were tested for their cytotoxic effects on FL/​cells using the neutral red assay. Extracts of Calotropis procera, Chenopodium murale, Pulicaria orientalis, Tribulus terrestris and Withania somniferum displayed a remarkable activity.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 11167035 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  56: J Nat Prod. 2000 Dec;63(12):1699/​701.

  New steroidal glycosides from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris.

  Bedir E, Khan IA.

  National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA.

  Three new steroidal saponins (1/​3) were isolated from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris. Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic methods (IR, HRESIMS, 1D/​ and 2D/​NMR) as 26/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​(25S)/​5beta/​furost/​20(22)/​en/​3bet a, 26/​diol/​3/​O/​alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl/​(1/​/​>2)/​[alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl/​ (1/​/​>4)]/​beta/​D/​glucopyranoside (1), 26/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​(25S)/​5beta/​furost/​20(22)/​en/​3bet a, 26/​diol/​3/​O/​alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl/​(1/​/​>2)/​[beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​(1 /​/​>4)]/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (2), and 25(S)/​5beta/​spirostan/​3beta/​ol/​3/​O/​alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl/​( 1/​/​>2)/​[b eta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​(1/​/​>4)]/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (3). Compound 3 showed cytotoxicity against a human malignant melanoma cell line (SK/​MEL).

  Publication Types: Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

  PMID: 11141122 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  57: Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000 Sep;10(3):340/​59.

  Effects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and adaptations to resistance training in young men.

  Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Reifenrath TA, Uhl NL, Parsons KA, Sharp RL, King DS.

  Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.

  The effects of androgen precursors, combined with herbal extracts designed to enhance testosterone formation and reduce conversion of androgens to estrogens was studied in young men. Subjects performed 3 days of resistance training per week for 8 weeks. Each day during Weeks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8, subjects consumed either placebo (PL; n = 10) or a supplement (ANDRO/​6; n = 10), which contained daily doses of 300 mg androstenedione, 150 mg DHEA, 750 mg Tribulus terrestris, 625 mg Chrysin, 300 mg Indole/​3/​carbinol, and 540 mg Saw palmetto. Serum androstenedione concentrations were higher in ANDRO/​6 after 2, 5, and 8 weeks (p <.05), while serum concentrations of free and total testosterone were unchanged in both groups. Serum estradiol was elevated at Weeks 2, 5, and 8 in ANDRO/​6 (p <.05), and serum estrone was elevated at Weeks 5 and 8 (p <.05). Muscle strength increased (p <.05) similarly from Weeks 0 to 4, and again from Weeks 4 to 8 in both treatment groups. The acute effect of one third of the daily dose of ANDRO/​6 and PL was studied in 10 men (23 +//​ 4 years). Serum androstenedione concentrations were elevated (p <.05) in ANDRO/​6 from 150 to 360 min after ingestion, while serum free or total testosterone concentrations were unchanged. These data provide evidence that the addition of these herbal extracts to androstenedione does not result in increased serum testosterone concentrations, reduce the estrogenic effect of androstenedione, and does not augment the adaptations to resistance training.

  Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 10997957 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  58: Planta Med. 2000 Aug;66(6):545/​50.

  Three new saponins from Tribulus terrestris.

  Xu YX, Chen HS, Liang HQ, Gu ZB, Liu WY, Leung WN, Li TJ.

  Department of Phytochemistry, College of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

  Three new steroidal saponins 1/​3, together with five known steroidal saponins, L/​mannitol and an inorganic salt were isolated from Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae). The structures of the new steroidal saponins were elucidated as hecogenin 3/​O/​beta/​xylopyranosyl(1/​/​>3)/​beta/​glucopyranosyl(1/​/​>4)/​beta/​galactopyr anoside (1), hecogenin 3/​O/​beta/​glucopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)/​beta/​glucopyranosyl(1/​/​>4)/​ beta/​galactopyranoside (2) and 3/​O/​[beta/​xylopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)/​[beta/​xylopyranosyl(1/​/​>3)]/​beta/​ glucopyranosyl(1/​/​>4)/​[alpha/​rhamnopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)]/​beta/​galactopyranos yl]/​ 26/​O/​beta/​glucopyranosyl/​22/​methoxy/​(3 beta,5 alpha,25R)/​furostan/​3,26/​diol (3). Structure elucidation was accomplished by 1D and 2D NMR spectra (13C/​1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, 1H/​1H COSY, TOCSY, and NOESY), mass spectrometry (FABMS, ESIMS) and chemical methods.

  PMID: 10985082 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  59: Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Aug;72(2 Suppl):624S/​36S.

  Selected herbals and human exercise performance.

  Bucci LR.

  Weider Nutrition International, Salt Lake City, UT 84104/​4726, USA. lukeb@weider.com

  Herbs have been used throughout history to enhance physical performance, but scientific scrutiny with controlled clinical trials has only recently been used to study such effects. The following herbs are currently used to enhance physical performance regardless of scientific evidence of effect: Chinese, Korean, and American ginsengs; Siberian ginseng, mahuang or Chinese ephedra; ashwagandha; rhodiola; yohimbe; CORDYCEPS: fungus, shilajit or mummio; smilax; wild oats; Muira puama; suma (ecdysterone); Tribulus terrestris; saw palmetto berries; beta/​sitosterol and other related sterols; and wild yams (diosgenin). Controlled studies of Asian ginsengs found improvements in exercise performance when most of the following conditions were true: use of standardized root extracts, study duration (>8 wk, daily dose >1 g dried root or equivalent, large number of subjects, and older subjects. Improvements in muscular strength, maximal oxygen uptake, work capacity, fuel homeostasis, serum lactate, heart rate, visual and auditory reaction times, alertness, and psychomotor skills have also been repeatedly documented. Siberian ginseng has shown mixed results. Mahuang, ephedrine, and related alkaloids have not benefited physical performance except when combined with caffeine. Other herbs remain virtually untested. Future research on ergogenic effects of herbs should consider identity and amount of substance or presumed active ingredients administered, dose response, duration of test period, proper experimental controls, measurement of psychological and physiologic parameters (including antioxidant actions), and measurements of performance pertinent to intended uses.

  Publication Types: Review

  PMID: 10919969 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  60: Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000 Jun;10(2):208/​15.

  The effects of Tribulus terrestris on body composition and exercise performance in resistance/​trained males.

  Antonio J, Uelmen J, Rodriguez R, Earnest C.

  Human Performance Laboratory, University of Nebraska, Kearney, NE 68849/​3101, USA.

  The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the herbal preparation Tribulus terrestris (tribulus) on body composition and exercise performance in resistance/​trained males. Fifteen subjects were randomly assigned to a placebo or tribulus (3.21 mg per kg body weight daily) group. Body weight, body composition, maximal strength, dietary intake, and mood states were determined before and after an 8/​week exercise (periodized resistance training) and supplementation period. There were no changes in body weight, percentage fat, total body water, dietary intake, or mood states in either group. Muscle endurance (determined by the maximal number of repetitions at 100/​200% of body weight) increased for the bench and leg press exercises in the placebo group (p <.05; bench press +//​28.4%, leg press +//​28.6%), while the tribulus group experienced an increase in leg press strength only (bench press +//​3.1%, not significant; leg press +//​28.6%, p <.05). Supplementation with tribulus does not enhance body composition or exercise performance in resistance/​trained males.

  Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial

  PMID: 10861339 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  61: Int J Androl. 2000;23 Suppl 2:82/​4.

  Phytochemicals and the breakthrough of traditional herbs in the management of sexual dysfunctions.

  Adimoelja A.

  School of medicine 'Hang Tuah' University, Teaching and Naval Hospital,Surabaya, Indonesia.

  Traditional herbs have been a revolutionary breakthrough in the management of erectile dysfunction and have become known world/​wide as an 'instant' treatment. The modern view of the management of erectile dysfunction subscribes to a single etiology, i.e. the mechanism of erection. A large number of pharmacological agents are orally consumed and vasoactive agents inserted intraurethrally or injected intrapenially to regain good erection. Modern phytochemicals have developed from traditional herbs. Phytochemicals focus their mechanism of healing action to the root cause, i.e. the inability to control the proper function of the whole body system. Hence phytochemicals manage erectile dysfunction in the frame of sexual dysfunction as a whole entity. Protodioscin is a phytochemical agent derived from Tribulus terrestris L plant, which has been clinically proven to improve sexual desire and enhance erection via the conversion of protodioscine to DHEA (De/​Hydro/​Epi/​Androsterone). Preliminary observations suggest that Tribulus terrestris L grown on different soils does not consistently produce the active component Protodioscin. Further photochemical studies of many other herbal plants are needed to explain the inconsistent results found with other herbal plants, such as in diversities of Ginseng, Eurycoma longifolia, Pimpinella pruacen, Muara puama, Ginkgo biloba, Yohimbe etc.

  PMID: 10849504 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  62: Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2000 Jan;29(1):22/​6.

  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. obgadaik@nus.edu.sg

  INTRODUCTION: 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 (PTN), a constituent of the TT, exerts its pharmacological effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty/​four NZW 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: PTN 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.

  Publication Types: In Vitro

  PMID: 10748960 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  63: J Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Aug;66(2):141/​50.

  Sulphorhodamine B assay for measuring proliferation of a pigmented melanocyte cell line and its application to the evaluation of crude drugs used in the treatment of vitiligo.

  Lin ZX, Hoult JR, Raman A.

  Institute of Chinese Medicine, London, UK.

  A rapid 96/​well plate assay using sulphorhodamine B (SRB) protein stain for cell number has been adopted to screen herbs used in traditional treatments of vitiligo for substances capable of stimulating melanocyte proliferation. Its applicability to melan/​a cells, a mouse pigmented cell line, has been validated. SRB assay produced good linearity up to 11 x 10(4) cells/well and interference by melanin present in the cells accounted for less than 10% of the total optical density readings. The intra/​assay variation was small but interassay variation was marked. For better assay precision, it is recommended that the results to be compared should be performed on the same day and controls should be plated in the same experiment, ideally in the same plate. Optimum conditions for exponential melan/​a cell growth were established: viz. initial plating density (3/​8 x 10(3) cells/well), incubation period (4 days) and foetal bovine serum concentration (5%). Under these conditions cells were responsive to the mitogen tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA). Out of 28 herbal extracts screened in this assay, significant stimulation (P < 0.05) of melanocyte proliferation was observed, in the absence of TPA, using aqueous extracts of Astragalus membranaceous root, Citrus reticulata peel, Dictamnus dasycarpus root bark. Ophiopogon japonicus root, Poria cocos sclerotium and Tribulus terrestris fruit.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 10433470 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  64: Boll Chim Farm. 1998 Dec;137(11):473/​5.

  Effect of Tribulus terrestris L. saponin mixture on some smooth muscle preparations: a preliminary study.

  Arcasoy HB, Erenmemisoglu A, Tekol Y, Kurucu S, Kartal M.

  Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University Kayseri, Turkey.

  Tribulus terrestris L. is an annual plant which has been commonly used in folk medicine as diuretic and against colic pains, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in Turkey. This study investigated the effects of liophilized saponin mixture of this plant on several smooth muscle preparations in vitro. The liophilized material was obtained from dried and powdered T. terrestris L. by specific extraction method for saponins. Median lethal dose (LD50) of saponin mixture on Swiss albino mice was calculated according to Litchfield/​Wilcoxon method via i.p. route. LD50 and its 95% confidence limits were 813 and 739/​894 mg.kg/​1 respectively. Saponin mixture has caused a significant decrease on peristaltic movements of isolated sheep ureter and rabbit jejunum preparations in a dose/​dependent manner (p < 0.05). However it has been observed no effect on isolated rabbit aorta and its contractile response to KCl or noradrenaline (p > 0.05). According to these results it has been suggested that T. terrestris L. or its saponin mixture may be useful on some smooth muscle spasms or colic pains.

  Publication Types: In Vitro

  PMID: 10077881 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  65: Planta Med. 1998 Oct;64(7):628/​31.

  Tribulusamide A and B, new hepatoprotective lignanamides from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris: indications of cytoprotective activity in murine hepatocyte culture.

  Li JX, Shi Q, Xiong QB, Prasain JK, Tezuka Y, Hareyama T, Wang ZT, Tanaka K, Namba T, Kadota S.

  Research Institute for Wakan/​Yaku (Traditional Sino/​Japanese Medicines), Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.

  Tribulusamides A (1) and B (2), new lignanamides embracing two cinnamic amide parts joined in a cis configuration, were isolated from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris, together with four known compounds, N/​trans/​feruloyltyramine (3), terrestriamide (4), N/​trans/​coumaroyltyramine (5), and beta/​sitosterol. The structures were elucidated by 2D/​NMR spectroscopy. Addition of compounds 1/​5, especially 1 and 2, to primary cultured mouse hepatocytes significantly prevented cell death induced by D/​galactosamine (D/​GalN)/tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF/​alpha).

  PMID: 9810268 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  66: Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 1998;12(10):589/​94.

  Rapid analysis of steroidal saponin mixture using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry combined with sequential tandem mass spectrometry.

  Fang S, Hao C, Sun W, Liu Z, Liu S.

  Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.R. China.

  Using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) combined with sequential tandem MS(ESI/​MSn), two major steroidal saponins extracted from Tribulus terrestris were studied, and considerable useful structural information was obtained. The structure of the proposed known steroidal saponin was verified, and the structure of the unknown saponin was investigated using MSn experiments. Some special fragment ions were also observed, and the corresponding fragmentation mechanisms were investigated which are characteristic for steroidal saponins and can give some information on the linkage position of some sugar groups in saponins. This methodology has been established as a powerful tool for the rapid, comparative analysis of mixtures such as crude plant extracts.

  PMID: 9621442 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  67: Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1996 Dec;63(4):327/​34.

  Photosensitivity in South Africa. IX. Structure elucidation of a beta/​glucosidase/​treated saponin from Tribulus terrestris, and the identification of saponin chemotypes of South African T. terrestris.

  Wilkins AL, Miles CO, De Kock WT, Erasmus GL, Basson AT, Kellerman TS.

  Chemistry Department, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

  Saponin C, a beta/​glucosidase/​treated saponin isolated from ethanol/​water extracts of a South African collection of Tribulus terrestris, was shown by one/​ and two/​dimensional NMR spectroscopy to be ruscogenin 1/​O/​alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl/​(1/​/​>2)/​beta/​D/​6)/​acetylglucopyranoside++ +. GC/​MS analysis of the hydrolysed ethanol/​water (4:1) extracts of T.terrestris specimens from two of four sites, revealed high levels of ruscogenin and potentially lithogenic diosgenin saponins. Specimens from two other sites contained non/​lithogenic saponins derived predominantly from tigogenin, neotigogenin, gitogenin and neo/​gitogenin.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 9173364 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  68: Phytochemistry. 1996 Aug;42(6):1677/​81.

  Steroidal glycosides from Tribulus terrestris.

  Wu G, Jiang S, Jiang F, Zhu D, Wu H, Jiang S.

  Department of Phytochemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, P.R. China.

  In addition to hecogenin 3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl(1/​/​> 4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside, two new steroidal saponins were isolated from the aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris L. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence, especially 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, the structures of the new saponins were established as 26/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​3/​O/​[/​beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl(1/​/​> 3)/​/​beta/​D/​galactopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)/​/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl (1/​/​> 4)/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl]/​5 alpha/​furost/​20(22)/​en/​12/​one/​3 beta,26/​diol and 26/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​3/​O/​[{beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl (1/​/​>3)/​/​beta/​D/​galactopyranosyl(1/​/​>2)/​/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl(1 /​/​>4)/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl]/​5 alpha/​furostan/​12/​one/​3 beta,22,26/​triol.

  PMID: 8783840 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  69: Phytochemistry. 1996 Jul;42(5):1417/​22.

  Steroidal saponins from fruits of Tribulus terrestris.

  Yan W, Ohtani K, Kasai R, Yamasaki K.

  Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.

  Further studies on the constituents of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris led to the isolation of five new steroidal saponins (terrestrosin A/​E), (25R,S)/​5 alpha/​spirostan/​3 beta/​ol/​3 /​O/​beta/​D/​galactopyranosyl(1/​2)/​beta/​D/​ glucopyranosyl(1/​4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside, (25R,S)/​5 alpha/​spirostan/​3 beta/​ol/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl(1/​4)/​[alpha/​L/​ rhamnopyranosyl(1/​2)]/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside, (25R,S)/​5 alpha/​spirostan/​12/​on/​3 beta/​ol/​3/​O/​beta/​D/​galactopyranosyl (1/​2)/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl(1/​4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside, hecogenin 3/​O/​beta/​D/​galactopyranosyl)1/​2)/​[beta/​D/​ xylopyranosyl(1/​3)]/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl(1/​4)/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside and (25R,S)/​5 alpha/​spirostane/​2 alpha, 3 beta/​diol/​3/​ O/​beta/​D/​galactopyranosyl(1/​2)/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl(1/​4)/​beta/​D/​ galactopyranoside, together with five known steroidal saponins, desgalactotigonin, F/​gitonin, desglucolanatigonin, gitonin and tigogenin 3/​O/​beta/​D/​ xylopyranosyl)1/​2)/​[beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl)1/​3)]/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl)1/​4 )/​ [alpha/​L/​rhamnopyranosyl(1/​2)]/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside. The structures of the new saponins were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including two/​dimensional NMR techniques, and chemical reactions.

  PMID: 9397208 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  70: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1995 Jul;20(7):427/​9, 449.

  [Protective effects of Tribulus terrestris L. polysaccharide on genetic damage]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Liu Q, Chen Y, Wang J, Chen X, Han Y.

  Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 7576144 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  71: Aust Vet J. 1995 Jun;72(6):228/​34.

  The clinical differentiation of nervous and muscular locomotor disorders of sheep in Australia.

  Bourke CA.

  NSW Agriculture, Agricultural Research and Veterinary Centre.

  Many of the nervous and muscular locomotor disorders that affect sheep throughout Australia are commonly referred to as "staggers" syndromes. The range of clinical signs displayed by sheep suffering these disorders is sufficiently diverse to enable each syndrome to be graded into one of 5 progressive clinical groups. The first group, the limb paresis syndromes, includes the primary myopathies associated with the ingestion of Ixiolaena brevicompta, Malva parviflora, and Trachymene ochracea, as well as selenium and Vitamin E disorders, Paroo virus staggers, congenital progressive muscular dystrophy, humpy back, hypocalcaemic muscle weakness, Tribulus terrestris staggers and tetanus. The second group is characterised by limb paresis with knuckling of the fetlocks, and includes the plant/​associated toxicities of Romulea rosea, Stachys arvensis, Trachyandra divaricata, and Tribulus micrococcus, together with haloxon toxicity, enzootic ataxia (copper deficiency), and the probably genetic disorders of segmental axonopathy, neuroaxonal dystrophy, and degenerative thoracic myelopathy. Other locomotor disorders that fit more loosely into this group are listerial myelitis (post/​dipping staggers), vitamin A deficiency, cervico/​thoracic vertebral subluxation Stypandra glauca toxicity, Ipomoea spp toxicity, ivermectin toxicity, and botulism. The third group, the falling syndromes, includes the probably genetic disorders of thalamic cerebellar neuropathy, cerebellar abiotrophy, and globoid cell leucodystrophy, together with Swainsona spp toxicity. The fourth group, the falling syndromes, includes the plant associated toxicities of phalaris staggers, perennial rye grass staggers and nervous ergotism (Claviceps paspali).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  Publication Types: Review

  PMID: 8526819 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  72: Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1994 Dec;61(4):351/​9.

  Photosensitivity in South Africa. VIII. Ovine metabolism of Tribulus terrestris saponins during experimentally induced geeldikkop.

  Miles CO, Wilkins AL, Erasmus GL, Kellerman TS.

  Fungal and Plant Toxin Research Group, New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture Research Institute Ltd. Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand.

  Geeldikkop was induced in a sheep by dosing it orally with a crude extract of the steroidal saponins from Tribulus terrestris. GC/​MS analysis of the sheep's ruminal contents, bile, faeces and urine for free and conjugated sapogenins, revealed the general features of the metabolic pathway by which diosgenin and yamogenin glycosides were converted into the glucuronides of epismilagenin and episarsasapogenin, the major constituents of the biliary crystals that usually form during geeldikkop. Other steroidal saponins in the T. terrestris extract, including those derived from tigogenin, neotigogenin, gitogenin and neogitogenin appear to be non/​lithogenic. The implications of these findings are discussed.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 7501366 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  73: J Ethnopharmacol. 1994 Oct;44(2):61/​6.

  Effect of Tribulus terrestris on oxalate metabolism in rats.

  Sangeeta D, Sidhu H, Thind SK, Nath R.

  Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.

  This study concerns the effect of an aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris on the metabolism of oxalate in male rats fed sodium glycolate. Glycolate feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased activities of oxalate synthesizing enzymes of the liver i.e. glycolate oxidase (GAO), glycolate dehydrogenase (GAD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and decreased kidney LDH activity. T. terrestris administration to sodium glycolate fed rats produced a significant decrease in urinary oxalate excretion, and a significant increase in urinary glyoxylate excretion, as compared to sodium glycolate fed animals. The supplementation of T. terrestris with sodium glycolate also caused a reduction in liver GAO and GAD activities, whereas liver LDH activity remained unaltered. The isoenzyme pattern of kidney LDH revealed that normalization of kidney LDH by T. terrestris feeding was mainly due to an increase in the LDH 5 fraction. The LDH 1 isoenzyme remained unchanged in all the groups.

  PMID: 7853865 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  74: Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1994 Sep;61(3):215/​22.

  Photosensitivity in South Africa. VII. Chemical composition of biliary crystals from a sheep with experimentally induced geeldikkop.

  Miles CO, Wilkins AL, Erasmus GL, Kellerman TS, Coetzer JA.

  Fungal and Plant Toxin Research Group, New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture Research Institute Ltd., Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Hamilton.

  Geeldikkop was induced in a sheep by oral administration of crude saponins from Tribulus terrestris. Centrifugation of the bile from this sheep gave a pale green sediment of crystalloid material which was insoluble in common organic solvents, but soluble in acetic acid. Analysis of the crystalloid material by 1H and 13C NMR, EDXA, TLC, LSIMS, and by acidic hydrolysis followed by TLC and GC/​MS, revealed it to be composed principally of a 6:1 mixture of the calcium salts of the beta/​D/​glucuronides of the steroidal sapogenins epismilagenin and episarsasapogenin. The administered saponin was found to contain glycosides of the steroidal sapogenins diosgenin, yamogenin, epismilagenin, tigogenin, neotigogenin, gitogenin and neogitogenin in the ratio 10:7:1:11:7:35:25. A metabolic pathway for the conversion of diosgenin and yamogenin saponins to the biliary glucuronides is proposed.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 7596574 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  75: Vet Hum Toxicol. 1994 Aug;36(4):311/​3.

  An outbreak of hepatogenous photosensitization in sheep grazing Tribulus terrestris in Argentina.

  Tapia MO, Giordano MA, Gueper HG.

  Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro, Tandil, Argentina.

  An outbreak of hepatogenous photosensitization occurred in 40% of sheep grazing Tribulus terrestris in southern Buenos Aires province. Postmortem examinations revealed diffuse jaundice and ochre discoloration of the liver. Histopathological liver lesions consisted of fibroplasia, periductular lamellar fibrosis, hyperplasia of small bile ducts and diffuse swelling of hepatocytes. A crystalloid material was observed in some bile ducts. Aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase serum activities were elevated in all tested animals while serum bilirubin content was elevated only in the most severely affected sheep. These findings are consistent with reports of geeldikkop, a photosensitivity of sheep which occurs in South Africa and Australia.

  PMID: 7975136 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  76: Indian J Exp Biol. 1994 Aug;32(8):548/​52.

  Activity of certain fractions of Tribulus terrestris fruits against experimentally induced urolithiasis in rats.

  Anand R, Patnaik GK, Kulshreshtha DK, Dhawan BN.

  Division of Pharmacology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.

  An ethanolic extract of the fruits of T. terrestris showed significant dose dependent protection against uroliths induced by glass bead implantation in albino rats. On subsequent fractionation of the ethanol extract, maximum activity was localised in the 10% aqueous methanol fraction. It provided significant protection against deposition of calculogenic material around the glass bead. It also protected leucocytosis and elevation in serum urea levels. Further, fractionation lead to decreased activity. This could be either due to loss of active compounds during fractionation, or the antiurolithiatic activity of T. terrestris being a combined effect of several constituents present in the methanolic fraction.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 7959935 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  77: J Vet Diagn Invest. 1994 Jul;6(3):392/​5.

  Hepatogenous photosensitization of sheep in California associated with ingestion of Tribulus terrestris (puncture vine).

  McDonough SP, Woodbury AH, Galey FD, Wilson DW, East N, Bracken E.

  Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.

  PMID: 7948218 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  78: Mycopathologia. 1992 Dec;120(3):189/​93.

  Cytotoxicity of Fusarium species mycotoxins and culture filtrates of Fusarium species isolated from the medicinal plant Tribulus terrestris to mammalian cells.

  Abeywickrama K, Bean GA.

  Department of Botany, University of Maryland, College Park.

  Ayurvedic medicine, which uses decoctions made of medicinal plants, is used to cure diseases in many Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Although proper storage facilities for medicinal plants are unavailable in Sri Lanka, neither the potential for growth of toxigenic fungi nor their ability to produce mycotoxins in stored medicinal plants has been investigated. We isolated three Fusarium species, F. culmorum, F. acuminatum and F. graminearum from the medicinal plant Tribulus terrestris. Culture extracts of the 3 Fusarium spp. were cytotoxic to mammalian cell lines BHK/​21 and HEP/​2. Three toxic metabolites produced by Fusarium spp; T/​2 toxin, zearalenone, and diacetoxyscirpenol were also cytotoxic to the mammalian cell lines. The 3 Fusarium spp. grown on rice media produced zearalenone. Plant material destined for medicinal use should be stored under suitable conditions to prevent growth of naturally occurring toxigenic fungi prior to its use.

  PMID: 1494362 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  79: Aust Vet J. 1992 Jul;69(7):163/​5.

  Locomotor effects in sheep of alkaloids identified in Australian Tribulus terrestris.

  Bourke CA, Stevens GR, Carrigan MJ.

  NSW Agriculture, Agricultural Research and Veterinary Centre, Orange.

  Fresh, mature, ungrazed Tribulus terrestris plant material was subjected to a standard alkaloid extraction procedure. The extract was fractionated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Two major alkaloid fractions were demonstrated. These fractions were identified by means of TLC, ultraviolet spectrofluorimetry (UVS) and HPLC, as the beta/​carboline indoleamines harmane and norharmane. The extractable alkaloid content was determined to be 44 mg/kg dry matter. Synthetic harmane and norharmane were administered subcutaneously to sheep at a dose rate of 54 mg/kg. Both compounds caused similar nervous effects. The main effect observed was limb paresis, which in some sheep was body side blased. The clinical signs observed in the experimental sheep were consistent with those described for naturally occurring cases of Tribulus terrestris staggers. It was proposed that harmane and norharmane accumulate in tryptamine/​associated neurones of the central nervous system, during months of tribulus ingestion, and gradually interact irreversibly with a specific neuronal gene DNA sequence.

  PMID: 1445080 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  80: Reprod Fertil Dev. 1992;4(2):135/​44.

  Some effects of feeding Tribulus terrestris, Ipomoea lonchophylla and the seed of Abelmoschus ficulneus on fetal development and the outcome of pregnancy in sheep.

  Walker D, Bird A, Flora T, O'Sullivan B.

  Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.

  Pregnant ewes and their fetuses were chronically catheterized using aseptic procedures under general anaesthesia, and the ewes were then fed either lucerne chaff alone, or lucerne mixed with dried plant material obtained from one of three forb species, Tribulus terrestris (caltrop), Abelmoschus ficulneus (native rosella) or Ipomoea lonchophylla (cowvine), from 103/​112 days gestation until term. Ingestion of the forb material was not associated with changes in maternal blood gases, plasma glucose concentrations, or the length of gestation. However, ingestion of rosella seed was associated with a significantly greater fall of fetal arterial pO2 with advancing gestation, and ingestion of either rosella or cowvine was associated with significantly lower fetal mean arterial pressure at 127/​131 days, compared with the Tribulus and lucerne groups. Also, the incidence of fetal breathing movements was significantly lower, and did not show a normal day/​night variation, in each of the forb/​fed groups compared with the lucerne/​fed group. The results indicate that these forb plants may contain substances that affect the functional development of the fetal brain. Although ingestion of these plants did not appear to affect the outcome of pregnancy in this study, the possibility that these forbs have a greater impact in sheep populations with poor nutrition and in more extreme environmental conditions is discussed.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 1438942 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  81: Pak J Pharm Sci. 1991 Jul;4(2):145/​52.

  Inhibition of adrenaline/​induced aggregation of human platelets by Pakistani medicinal plants.

  Sajid TM, Rashid S, Saeed SA.

  Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi/​75270, Pakistan.

  The effects of extracts of Pakistani plants claiming medicinal value were observed on adrenaline/​induced aggregation of human platelets according to the method of Born (1962). The extracts manifested significant inhibitory activity in doses of 0.625 mgm(/​1) to 2.5 mgml(/​1) in this in vitro model. The potency of the plant extracts in inhibiting platelet aggregation induced by adrenaline is in the following order: Sida pakistanica, IC50 = 0.90 mgml(/​1) > Tribulus terrestris, IC50 = 0.97 mgml(/​1) > Solanum surattense, IC50 = 1.34 mgml(/​1) Tephrosia subtriflora, IC50 = 1.40 mgml(/​1) > Glycyrrhiza glabra (butanolic extract), IC50 = 1.66 mgml(/​1) > Urtica dioica IC50 = 2.17 mgml(/​1). Further studies are proposed to find out whether the inhibition of adrenaline/​induced platelet aggregation is mediated through alpha/​adrenoceptor blockade or suppressed synthesis of prostaglandin endoperoxides.

  PMID: 16414694 [PubMed]

  
  

  82: Aust Vet J. 1991 Jul;68(7):234/​6.

  Photosensitisation and crystal/​associated cholangiohepatopathy in sheep grazing Brachiaria decumbens.

  Graydon RJ, Hamid H, Zahari P, Gardiner C.

  Balai Penelitian Veteriner, Bogor, Indonesia.

  Two outbreaks of photosensitivity and jaundice in sheep grazing the grass, Brachiaria decumbens. In West Java in 1983 and 1983 and 1990 are described. Aggregates of acicular clefts and crystals were present in bile canaliculi, bile ducts, Kupffer cells, hepatocytes and in kidney tubules. The number of crystals increased with the length of exposure to the plant and sheep that died had the largest accumulations. These crystalline structures have been reported before in this syndrome, but are similar to those seen in Tribulus terrestris and Panicum spp toxicities.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 1929990 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  83: Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1991 Mar;58(1):47/​53.

  Photosensitivity in South Africa. VI. The experimental induction of geeldikkop in sheep with crude steroidal saponins from Tribulus terrestris.

  Kellerman TS, Erasmus GL, Coetzer JA, Brown JM, Maartens BP.

  Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa.

  Geeldikkop was induced in sheep by the oral administration of crude steroidal saponins from Tribulus terrestris. Two of the sheep developed typical lesions of geeldikkop, including birefringent crystalloid material in bile ducts and concentric periductal lamellar fibrosis. The clinical pathological changes in these sheep were also consistent with those of geeldikkop: aspartate transaminase and gamma/​glutamyl transferase activities in the sera of both were elevated, and one had bilirubinaemia. A third sheep became photosensitive without typical lesions of geeldikkop in the liver or changes in the activities of liver enzymes before euthanasia. The findings of these trials are consistent with reports from abroad that ovine hepatogenous photosensitization, caused by Agave lechuguilla and Narthecium ossifragum, can be induced with crude saponins from the respective plants.

  PMID: 2052320 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  84: Mycopathologia. 1991 Mar;113(3):187/​90.

  Toxigenic Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins in Sri Lankan medicinal plant material.

  Abeywickrama K, Bean GA.

  Department of Botany, University of Maryland, College Park 20742.

  The fungal flora of 6 Asian medicinal plants, Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss. Alyssicarpus vaginalis D.C., Tribulus terrestris Linn. Adhatoda vasica Nees., Centella asciatica (L.) Urb., Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. was determined. After surface disinfection Aspergillus spp. were most frequently observed. Aspergillus flavus, isolated from Alyssicarpus vaginalis and Aerva lanata produced aflatoxins in culture. Aflatoxin B1 was also detected in a sample of Aerra lanata at a level of 0.5 micrograms/g. Plant material destined for medicinal use should be stored carefully prior to its use to prevent growth of naturally occurring toxigenic mold fungi.

  PMID: 1906136 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  85: Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1991;26(8):578/​83.

  [Studies on water soluble polysaccharides isolated from Tribulus terrestris L/​/​purification and preliminary structural determination of heteropolysaccharide H]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Huang XL, Zhang YS, Liang ZY.

  Department of Biology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun.

  Crude polysaccharides extracted from the stem and leaf of Tribulus terristris L after the removal of crude saponins are a mixture of heteropolysaccharides composed of Ara, Rha, Xyl, GalA, Gal, Glc and Man in molar ratios of 6.0:2.1:1:3.6:3.4:7.7:2.9. A homogeneous polysaccharide H obtained by gradation and purification contains Ara, Rha, Xyl, GalA. Gal and Glc. in molar ratios of 1.6:2.4:0.1:3.5:1.3:1. Its molecular weight was found to be 1 x 10(5). By means of pectinase and beta/​D/​galactosidase enzymolysis, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, partial hydrolysis with acid, methylation, GC and GC/​MS, the H contains alpha/​D/​GalA (1/​4) and L/​Rha (1/​2) probably linked alternately as main chain with some L/​Rha (1/​2) side chains.

  Publication Types: English Abstract Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 1805519 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  86: Vet Hum Toxicol. 1990 Aug;32(4):314/​8.

  The isolation and identification of steroidal sapogenins in Kleingrass.

  Patamalai B, Hejtmancik E, Bridges CH, Hill DW, Camp BJ.

  Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843.

  Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L) has been reported to cause hepatogenous photosensitization in sheep and goats in West Texas since 1973. The toxin in Kleingrass has been suspected of being a steroidal saponin as Kleingrass produced characteristic birefringent crystals similar to those produced by saponin/​containing plants such as Agave lecheguilla and Tribulus terrestris. In this present study, steroidal saponis were isolated from Kleingrass and their sapogenins were identified as diosgenin and yamogenin by means of thin/​layer chromatography and infrared spectrophotometric analysis.

  Publication Types: Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

  PMID: 2389543 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  87: Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1990 Feb;10(2):85/​7, 68.

  [406 cases of angina pectoris in coronary heart disease treated with saponin of Tribulus terrestris]

  [Article in Chinese]

  Wang B, Ma L, Liu T.

  Research Unit of Cardiovascular Disease, Jilin Medical College.

  Coronary heart disease (CHD) was treated with saponin of Tribulus terrestris. According to 406 cases of clinical observation and a cross test (67 cases treated with Yufen Ningxin Pian as control), the results showed that the total efficacious rate of remission angina pectoris was 82.3%. It was higher than the control group with a total effective rate of 67.2% (P less than 0.05). The total effective rate of ECG improvement (52.7%) was even higher than that of the control group (35.8%). It is shown that saponin of Tribulus terrestris has the action of dilating coronary artery and improving coronary circulation, and thus has better effects on improving ECG of myocardial ischemia. If taken for a long time, it has no adverse reaction on blood system and hepatic and renal functions. Neither does it have side effects. It is one of the ideal medicines to treat angina pectoris.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 2364467 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  88: J S Afr Vet Assoc. 1989 Sep;60(3):134/​8.

  Unusual hepatic parenchymal crystalloid material and biliary microliths in goats.

  Collett MG, Spickett AM.

  Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa.

  Investigation into an outbreak of suspected photosensitivity in Boer goats grazing green oats (Avena sativa) led to the finding of microscopical parenchymal crystaloid material and biliary microliths in the livers of 3 ewes that were killed for necropsy. Neither Tribulus terrestris nor Panicum spp. occurred on the farm. Further investigation resulted in the isolation, from leaf spots on the oat leaves, of the fungus Drechslera campanulata, cultures of which have been shown to be highly toxic to sheep, goats and calves. The hepatic parenchymal crystalloid material, which did not invoke any inflammatory reaction, occurred intracellularly in hepatocytes and extracellulary in sinusoids and central veins. Histochemically, this material reacted positively for calcium and free fatty acids and ranged from nonbirefringent, grey spicules to birefringent, glass/​like sheaved crystals. A distinctive feature in the livers of the 3 goats was the presence of periductal concentric fibrosis and cast/​like biliary microliths which occasionally contained a core of birefringent crystalloid material morphologically and histochemically different from that seen in the parenchyma. An aetiological relationship between the presence of highly toxic D. campanulata isolates on green oats and the hepatopathy with biliary microliths and calcium/​free fatty acid crystalloids is possible.

  PMID: 2634769 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  89: Vet Pathol. 1987 Nov;24(6):525/​31.

  Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) poisoning in sheep.

  Bridges CH, Camp BJ, Livingston CW, Bailey EM.

  Department of Veterinary Pathology, Texas A&M University, College Station.

  Twenty/​four lambs grazing pastures of Panicum coloratum developed photosensitization secondary to hepatic dysfunction. Lesions were necrosis of scattered hepatocytes, obstruction of small bile ducts and bile canaliculi by small aggregates of birefringent crystals, and accumulation of birefringent crystals in phagocytes within sinusoids. The number of crystals in livers of affected sheep varied, depending on the amount of time of exposure to toxic plants and severity of hepatic abnormalities. Crystals in the liver were soluble in acidified ethyl alcohol, acetic acid, pyridine, chloral hydrate, and methanol, but not in xylene, petroleum ether, diethyl ether, acetone, water, or cold ethyl alcohol. Crystals were not stained by oil red O. There was necrosis of epithelial cells in renal distal convoluted tubules, papillary muscles of the heart, and the adrenal cortex. Lesions of Panicum coloratum/​associated disease are similar to those associated with photosensitization induced by Tribulus terrestris, Agave lecheguilla, and Nolina texana.

  PMID: 3455080 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  90: Res Vet Sci. 1987 Nov;43(3):347/​50.

  A novel nigrostriatal dopaminergic disorder in sheep affected by Tribulus terrestris staggers.

  Bourke CA.

  New South Wales Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research and Veterinary Centre, Australia.

  An investigation was carried out into the pathogenesis of a unique locomotory disorder of sheep. Thirty sheep which had exhibited clinical signs for more than 15 months were examined for the presence of muscle atrophy, limb paresis, and spontaneous rotational behaviour. A single large dose of levodopa was administered to 12 normal and 12 affected sheep, and the drug/​related effects of sedation and excitation were monitored continuously for three hours. The striatum was removed from eight normal and eight affected sheep and assayed for dopamine (DA) and 3,4/​dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). The findings of asymmetrical atrophy of pelvic limb extensor muscles, asymmetrical paresis of the limbs, a left:right dominance ratio of 50:50, spontaneous rotational behaviour, decreased response to levodopa loading, and decreased levels of DA (19 per cent reduction) and DOPAC (30 per cent reduction) in the striatum of affected sheep, were interpreted as indicative of a primary nigrostriatal dopaminergic disorder. It is suggested that a striatal presynaptic receptor malfunction has occurred.

  PMID: 3444981 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  91: Aust Vet J. 1987 Jun;64(6):176/​80.

  Crystal/​associated cholangiohepatopathy and photosensitisation in lambs.

  Button C, Paynter DI, Shiel MJ, Colson AR, Paterson PJ, Lyford RL.

  Four outbreaks of hepatogenous photosensitisation occurred in weaned lambs in north eastern Victoria during the summers of 1985 and 1986. Attack rates varied between 7% and 43% and case fatality rates between 60% and 71%. Clinical signs included photosensitisation and jaundice. Serum biochemistry suggested hepatobiliary and hepatoparenchymal damage with impaired renal function. At necropsy livers were an ochre colour and kidneys a mottled brown to khaki. Histopathologically, needle/​shaped to lenticular clefts were observed in and around bile ducts and in hepatocytes, hepatic sinusoidal macrophages and renal tubules. Optically active rhomboidal crystals were present in bile sediments. Panicum schinzii was identified as a possible cause in 2 of the 4 outbreaks. The clinical disease was reproduced in 2 of 6 lambs grazed on a toxic paddock. The disease was indistinguishable from geeldikkop except for the fact that Tribulus terrestris was not present on any of the 4 farms.

  PMID: 3632500 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  92: Aust Vet J. 1984 Nov;61(11):360/​3.

  Staggers in sheep associated with the ingestion of Tribulus terrestris.

  Bourke CA.

  The history of an unusual locomotory disturbance of sheep is traced from its first recognition in 1937 through to the most recent outbreak in 1981/​83. The condition occurred only at certain times and in restricted areas of the central and northern slopes districts of New South Wales. Outbreaks were repeatedly associated with drought periods during which sheep grazed large areas of Tribulus terrestris for many months at a time. Many thousands of sheep were affected, but the prevalence varied greatly between flocks. The course of the disease was characterised by a slowly developing, irreversible, asymmetrical, weakness of the hindlimbs. The clinical signs suggested that a lesion of the thoraco/​lumbar spinal cord region was present. The macroscopic and microscopic examination of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems failed to demonstrate abnormalities which would account for the clinical signs. Haematological, biochemical and toxicological test results supported the concept of a neuromuscular disease process being present, but failed to indicate its aetiology.

  PMID: 6529397 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  93: Aust Vet J. 1984 Oct;61(10):314/​6.

  A syndrome of hepatogenous photosensitisation, resembling geeldikkop, in sheep grazing Tribulus terrestris.

  Glastonbury JR, Doughty FR, Whitaker SJ, Sergeant E.

  Two outbreaks of photosensitivity disease occurred in weaner sheep in south western New South Wales during early autumn 1982. In each instance there was a history of access to the annual herb, Tribulus terrestris and both the clinical and pathological findings were consistent with geeldikkop, a major disease in the Republic of South Africa. The prevalence rates of clinical cases were 21 and 37%, while the case fatality rates approached 70%. Clinical signs were dominated by jaundice and photosensitisation. Ochre and khaki discolouration were present in the liver and kidneys, respectively. Histopathologically, the most characteristic lesion was the presence of acicular, cholesterol/​like clefts in the lumens of bile ducts and in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. Similar structures were also evident in the lumens of nephrons in association with segmental hyperplasia of the neighbouring tubular epithelium. The possible pathogenesis of the hepatogenous photosensitisation and its resemblance to geeldikkop are discussed.

  PMID: 6525116 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  94: Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1983 Jul/​Aug;92(4 Pt 1):396/​7.

  Bilateral pneumothorax resulting from the bronchoscopic removal of a puncture vine fruit.

  Dudley JP.

  Because pneumothorax may impair ventilation, it should be included in the differential diagnosis whenever ventilating problems are encountered during intraoperative procedures. Since pneumothorax is not an expected complication following atraumatic removal of tracheobronchial foreign bodies, it may not be considered if ventilation problems arise. When a foreign body has one or more sharp spines, however, consideration should be given to the possibility that the spine may have perforated the airway wall and that a pneumothorax may ensue following removal. Removal of a fruit of a puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) from the junction of the carina and right main stem bronchus was followed by increased resistance to ventilation due to bilateral pneumothorax. Insertion of chest tubes bilaterally returned respirations to normal. Bronchoscopists should be aware of this possible complication of spine/​covered foreign bodies.

  Publication Types: Case Reports

  PMID: 6881847 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  95: Aust Vet J. 1983 Jun;60(6):189.

  Hepatopathy in sheep associated with Tribulus terrestris.

  Bourke CA.

  PMID: 6626068 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  96: Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1980 Dec;47(4):231/​61.

  Photosensitivity in South Africa. II. The experimental production of the ovine hepatogenous photosensitivity disease geeldikkop (Tribulosis ovis) by the simultaneous ingestion of Tribulus terrestris plants and cultures of Pithomyces chartarum containing the mycotoxin sporidesmin.

  Kellerman TS, Van der Westhuizen GC, Coetzer JA, Roux C, Marasas WF, Minne JA, Bath GF, Basson PA.

  The mycoflora of toxic pastures were surveyed during a number of outbreaks of ovine hepatogenous photosensitivity in South Africa. Pure cultures of several isolates were dosed to sheep, but only those of Pithomyces chartarum and Myrothecium verrucaria proved to be toxic. Photosensitization was induced in sheep by dosing them with cultures of a P. chartarum isolate (GA10) obtained from Tribulus terrestris plants collected during an outbreak of geeldikkop in the Karoo. Thus for the first time a mechanism whereby T. terrestris plants can contribute to the causation of ovine hepatogenous photosensitivity was demonstrated. When cultures of GA10 equivalent to approximately 0,75/​/​4,0 mg/kg sporidesmin were dosed at Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute to Highveld and Karoo sheep on a diet of lucerne, facial eczema was produced. Dosing the same cultures at levels equivalent to c. 1,0 mg/kg of sporidesmin in the Karoo resulted in lesions characteristic of both facial eczema and geeldikkop. Typical hepatic lesions of geeldikkop could be elicited by dosing GA10 at levels equivalent to c. 0,25/​/​0,7 mg/kg of sporidesmin to Karoo sheep grazing on predominantly T. terrestris pastures in the Karoo. In the latter experiment geeldikkop was induced in the sheep on T. terrestris pastures, while those receiving identical doses on veld with little T. terrestris developed facial eczema. Geeldikkop, therefore, can be brought about by the ingestion of T. terrestris plants together with toxic cultures of P. chartarum. The plant appears not only to act as a vehicle for ingestion of spores, but also to interact with sporidesmin to induce lesions typical of geeldikkop, whereas sporidesmin alone results in facial eczema. Indications are that it can enhance the ability of sporidesmin to cause photosensitivity or, possibly, vice versa. The histopathological findings of these experiments are described in detail.

  PMID: 7194997 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  97: J S Afr Vet Assoc. 1978 Mar;49(1):23/​5.

  Geeldikkop: preservation of toxic material.

  Bath GF, van Tonder EM, Basson PA.

  Wilted Tribulus terrestris plants were harvested from a camp in which geeldikkop had just previously broken out. The plants were treated in various ways in an attempt to preserve their toxicity. The only successful method of preservation found was rapid freezing of harvested material. Three kg of plants were kept frozen for six weeks and then dosed via rumen fistula to a sheep which subsequently developed characteristic symptoms and lesions of geeldikkop.

  Publication Types: Case Reports Comparative Study

  PMID: 702505 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  98: Planta Med. 1977 Nov;32(3):223/​4.

  [Steroid saponines and sapogenines. V. Hecogenin from Tribulus terrestris L. (author's transl)]

  [Article in German]

  Tomowa MP, Botschewa DM, Zaikin WG, Wulfson NS.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 918158 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  99: Indian J Med Res. 1976 Dec;64(12):1821/​5.

  Cardiac action of Tribulus terrestris.

  Seth SD, Jagadeesh G.

  Publication Types: In Vitro

  PMID: 1024084 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  100: Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol. 1975 Nov/​Dec;11(6):901/​5.

  [Conditions for splitting protodioscine/​/​the main glycoside from Tribulus terrestris L. by the enzymatic preparation from Aspergillus niger BKMt/​33]

  [Article in Russian]

  Prepelitsa ED, Razumovsky PN, Kintya PK.

  The conditions for splitting protodioscine/​/​the main steroid saponine isolated from Tribulus terrestris L. by the enzymic preparation of Aspergillus niger str. BKMt/​33 were investigated. The optimal conditions were found to be as follows: pH 4/​5, temperature 30/​37 degrees (the substrate concentration/​/​5 mg%, concentration of the enzymic preparation/​/​1%). Under these conditions the enzymolysis continued 24 hours. Mg+2 and K+ ions accelerated the reaction twice. As a result of the enzymic hydrolysis dioscine and trilline were obtained. This indicates beta/​glucosidase and alpha/​rhamnosidase activities of the enzymic complex isolated from Aspergillus niger str. BKMt/​33.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 1743 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  101: Indian J Med Sci. 1974 Sep;28(9):377/​80.

  Preliminary pharmacological investigations of Tribulus terrestris, Linn. (Gokhru) part 1.

  Seth SD, Prabhakar MC.

  Publication Types: In Vitro

  PMID: 4461679 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  102: Planta Med. 1974 May;25(3):231/​7.

  [Steroid saponines and sapogenins. IV. Saponines from Tribulus terrestris (author's transl)]

  [Article in German]

  Tomowa MP, Panowa D, Wulfson NS.

  Publication Types: English Abstract

  PMID: 4838657 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  103: J S Afr Vet Med Assoc. 1972 Dec;43(4):363/​75.

  Geeldikkop: experimental induction by feeding the plant Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae).

  van Tonder EM, Basson PA, van Rensburg IB.

  PMID: 4670765 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  104: Experientia. 1972 Feb 15;28(2):217/​8.

  Genetic breakdown of chromosome behaviour of Tribulus terrestris.

  Nagl W.

  PMID: 5020365 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  105: Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1971 Jul;15(3):93/​6.

  Effect of Tribulus terrestris fruit extracts on chloride and creatinine renal clearances in dogs.

  Singh RC, Sisodia CS.

  PMID: 5137670 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  106: Plant Physiol. 1970 Oct;46(4):564/​567.

  The Relation of Carbon Dioxide Compensation and Chlorenchymatous Vascular Bundle Sheaths in Leaves of Dicots.

  Crookston RK, Moss DN.

  The Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101.

  Low CO(2) compensation points have been found to be associated with several unusual characteristics related to photosynthesis. One such characteristic is a prominent, chlorenchymatous vascular bundle sheath in the leaves. It has been suggested that the presence of this sheath in dicotyledons can serve as a means of detecting low CO(2)/​compensating species. We collected 88 dicotyledon species from 22 families reported to have chlorenchymatous sheaths. Of the 88, only three, Tribulus terrestris, L., Boerhaavia paniculata, L. C. Rich, and Trianthema portulacastrum L., had low CO(2) compensation points. Cross sections of the leaves of the other species revealed that they did have chlorenchymatous vascular bundle sheaths. However, these sheath cells contained chloroplasts which were not specialized for starch formation as were the bundle sheath chloroplasts of the low CO(2)/​compensating species.

  PMID: 16657506 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

  
  

  107: Ann Pharm Fr. 1968;26(12):745/​8.

  [Presence of chlorogenin beside the diosgenin and gitogenin in Tribulus terrestris L]

  [Article in French]

  Gheorghiu A, Ionescu/​Matiu E.

  PMID: 5757749 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  108: Indian J Med Res. 1967 Jul;55(7):714/​6.

  Preliminary studies on the diuretic effects of Hygrophila spinosa and Tribulus terrestris.

  Kumari GS, Iyer GY.

  PMID: 6056282 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  109: Med Prom SSSR. 1965 Mar;102:46/​8.

  [DIOSGENIN FROM TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS L. GROWING IN GEORGIA.]

  [Article in Russian]

  KACHUKHASHVILI TN.

  PMID: 14309787 [PubMed /​ OLDMEDLINE]

  
  

  110: Indian J Med Sci. 1963 Apr;17:291/​3.

  Some aspects of chemical and pharmacological studies of Tribulus terrestris. Linn.

  BOSE BC, SAIFI AQ, VIJAYVARGIYA R, BHATNAGAR JN.

  PMID: 14014153 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

  111: Z Lebensm Unters Forsch. 1951 Jan;92(1):24/​7.

  [Beans contaminated by the fruit of Tribulus terrestris L.]

  [Article in Undetermined Language]

  GRIEBEL C.

  PMID: 14818342 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

  
  

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AYURSTATE for Prostate Care (Part 1) - Ayurvedic Medicine, 8 Herbal Extracts, 50 Phytonutrients