What Is Tribulus? Other Names: Abrojo, Caltrop, Tribulus terrestris

What is Tribulus?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Tribulus terrestris, commonly known as Tribulus, is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including enhancing athletic performance, improving sexual function, and treating certain health conditions. This article explores the scientific evidence behind the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris. Other names include: Abrojo, Abrojos, Al-Gutub, Baijili, Bindii, Bulgarian Tribulus Terrestris, Caltrop, Cat’s-Head, Ci Ji Li, Common Dubbletjie, Croix-de-Malte, Devil’s-Thorn, Devil’s-Weed, Épine du Diable, Escarbot, Espigón, German Tribulus Terrestris, Goathead, Gokantaka, Gokhru, Gokshur, Gokshura, Nature’s Viagra, Puncture Vine, Puncture Weed, Qutiba, Small Caltrops, Tribule, Tribule Terrestre, Tribulis, Tribulis Terrestris, Tribulus, Tribulus terrestris.

Effects on Exercise Performance and Body Composition

Several studies have investigated the impact of Tribulus terrestris on exercise performance and body composition. One study found that supplementation with Tribulus did not enhance body composition or exercise performance in resistance-trained males1. Another study on elite rugby league players also concluded that Tribulus did not produce significant gains in strength or lean muscle mass during preseason training9. However, a study on CrossFit athletes suggested that Tribulus might attenuate exercise-induced oxidative stress, muscle damage, and inflammation due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties2.

Influence on Androgen Production

Tribulus terrestris is often marketed as an aphrodisiac and a natural testosterone booster. However, scientific evidence does not support these claims. A study on young men found that Tribulus supplementation did not significantly affect serum testosterone, androstenedione, or luteinizing hormone levels3. Similarly, another study on rats indicated that Tribulus increased androgen receptor immunoreactivity in the brain, but this effect was not directly linked to increased androgen levels4.

Sexual Function and Libido

Tribulus terrestris has been studied for its potential benefits in treating sexual dysfunction. A clinical trial on men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) found that Tribulus significantly improved sexual function compared to a placebo6. Another study on postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder also reported improvements in sexual desire and arousal, along with increased serum testosterone levels7.

Neuroprotective and Anti-Parkinson’s Activity

Tribulus terrestris has shown promise in neuroprotection and the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. A study demonstrated that Tribulus methanol extract improved behavioral and biochemical parameters in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease, likely due to its antioxidant properties and modulation of neuroinflammatory markers5.

Menopausal Symptoms

Tribulus terrestris has also been evaluated for its efficacy in alleviating menopausal symptoms. A randomized placebo-controlled study found that Tribulus significantly reduced the severity of menopausal transition symptoms compared to a placebo, suggesting it may be a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapy10.

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Safety and Side Effects of Tribulus

The safety profile of Tribulus terrestris has been generally favorable in clinical studies. For instance, a study on men with erectile dysfunction reported no significant differences in adverse events between the Tribulus and placebo groups6. However, it is essential to note that the long-term safety of Tribulus supplementation requires further investigation.

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Uses of Tribulus

Sexual Dysfunction in Women

Tribulus terrestris has been shown to improve sexual function in pre and postmenopausal women, enhancing domains such as desire, arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction without significant side effects1 3 9.

It is effective in treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women by increasing free and bioavailable testosterone levels3.

Sexual Dysfunction in Men

Tribulus terrestris improves erectile function and sexual satisfaction in men with erectile dysfunction and partial androgen deficiency, likely due to its ability to elevate testosterone levels4 7.

It enhances sexual behavior and increases testosterone levels in male rats, supporting its aphrodisiac claims2 10.

Menopausal Symptoms

Tribulus terrestris significantly reduces the severity of menopausal transition symptoms, including somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms, making it a potential alternative to hormone replacement therapy6.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects

Tribulus terrestris supplementation in athletes can attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation, likely due to its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties5.

Diabetes Management

Tribulus terrestris exhibits protective effects in diabetic rats by reducing oxidative stress markers and improving liver function, suggesting its potential in managing diabetes-related complications8.

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How has Tribulus Improved Patient Outcomes?

Improvement in Menopausal Symptoms

Tribulus terrestris significantly reduced the severity of menopausal transition symptoms, including somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms, compared to placebo1.

Enhancement of Sexual Function in Women

Premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) experienced improvements in sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain, and satisfaction after treatment with Tribulus terrestris2 7 8.

Postmenopausal women treated with Tribulus terrestris showed significant improvements in sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, pain, and orgasm, along with increased levels of free and bioavailable testosterone5 7 10.

Improvement in Erectile Dysfunction in Men

Men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction (ED) showed significant improvements in erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction after treatment with Tribulus terrestris3 4 6.

Tribulus terrestris was effective in improving erectile function and sexual quality of life in men with moderate arterial dysfunction3.

Safety and Tolerability

Tribulus terrestris was generally well-tolerated with no significant differences in adverse events compared to placebo across multiple studies1 4 5 7 10.

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Tribulus Mechanisms of Action

Hormonal Modulation

TT increases testosterone levels, which is linked to its protodioscin content and is likely mediated through a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-linked pathway1 2.

TT enhances androgen receptor (AR) immunoreactivity and increases NADPH-diaphorase activity in the brain, suggesting an androgen-increasing property5.

Sexual Function Enhancement

TT improves sexual desire and function in postmenopausal women by increasing free and bioavailable testosterone levels2.

TT exhibits proerectile activity by enhancing the relaxant responses of corpus cavernosal tissue, likely due to increased nitric oxide release from the endothelium and nitrergic nerve endings3.

Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Effects

TT has neuroprotective effects in Parkinson’s disease models by modulating acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-synuclein, TNF-α, and IL-1β, and by restoring antioxidant enzyme levels4.

TT supplementation reduces oxidative stress, muscle damage, and inflammation in athletes, attributed to its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties8.

Cardioprotective Effects

TT protects cardiocytes from adriamycin-induced damage by reducing oxidative stress markers and apoptosis, and by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes6.

Tribulosin, a component of TT, protects the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury through the activation of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) and modulation of apoptosis-related proteins7.

Immune System Modulation

TT influences immunological parameters by enhancing lymphocyte proliferation and modulating cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α), indicating potential immunomodulatory effects10.

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Common Complaints Associated with Tribulus Use

Efficacy and Safety in Treating HSDD: Tribulus terrestris has been shown to improve various aspects of sexual function in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain, and satisfaction. This improvement is likely due to increased levels of free and bioavailable testosterone1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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