Tribulus Terrestris Research Articles

Tribulus terrestris and Sport Performance: A Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of Its Advertisement and Availability via Online Shopping in Six Different Countries.

Dietary supplements are commonly used among athletes, and the Internet may be an easy source of these products. Tribulus terrestris is an herbal supplement with multiple properties. Of interest to athletes are reports that its consumption can lead to muscle mass gain and a faster recovery process. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the availability of Tribulus terrestris via the Internet in six countries (Canada, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and the United States of America) via a specifically designed computer program. The characteristics of the websites selling this substance, the country from which it can be purchased, the route of administration, and recommendations for its use were analyzed. The results of the study show that this supplement is marketed mainly in Russia, Ukraine, and Spain on many websites that are mostly dedicated to sports products. Just over half of the webpages (59.14%) identified only distribute this supplement within the same country. The main claims for its consumption refer to sports performance benefits, but there are also claims that it may improve male hormone levels and sexual function. Athletes should be encouraged to seek professional advice prior to ingesting this supplement to ensure that it is suitable for their specific training and sports objectives.

Icarifil® in Association with Daily Use of Tadalafil (5 mg) versus Standard Tadalafil Daily Dose (5 mg) or Alone: Results from a Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The management of erectile dysfunction (ED) shows several grey zones and new treatments are required to reduce the percentage of patients discontinuing treatment. Here, we aim to evaluate the role of a natural mixture named Icarifil® (L-Citrulline, L-Carnitine, Eruca vesicaria, Panax ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, Turnera diffusa, Taurine, Vitamin E, Zinc) in the management of patients with ED. Methods: From September 2022 to March 2023, all patients attending 3 urological institutions due to ED were randomized to receive the following for 3 months: Icarifil® 1 sachet every 24 h (Group 1) or Icarifil® 1 sachet + tadalafil 5 mg 1 tablet every 24 h (Group 2) or tadalafil 5 mg 1 tablet daily (Group 3). All patients underwent urologic visits and dedicated questionnaires (IIEF-5, SEP-2, SEP-3) at enrollment and at the follow-up evaluation (3 months). Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) at the follow-up evaluation were used. The primary endpoint was the difference in the questionnaires at the follow-up visit compared to the one at enrollment among the study groups. Results: In the per-protocol analysis, 52 patients in Group 1, 55 in Group 2 and 57 in Group 3 were analyzed. At the follow-up evaluation, IIEF-5 scores improved in all the 3 groups between enrollment and the follow-up evaluation, but a statistically significant difference was reported between Group 2 (+7.4) and Group 1 (+4.1) or Group 3 (+5.1), (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Moreover, 47 patients (94.0%) in Group 2 showed an improvement in the SEP questionnaires, when compared with the baseline, while 29 in Group 1 (56.9%) and 42 in Group 3 (82.3%) showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.004; p = 0.003) among the groups. The PRO analysis reported better efficacy and patient satisfaction in Group 2 when compared with Group 1 or Group 3. Conclusions: In conclusion, Icarifil® is able to improve penile erectile function in mild-moderate ED and significantly improve the clinical efficacy of daily used tadalafil 5 mg. Icarifil® could represent an interesting alternative treatment in patients experiencing adverse effects or with contraindications for chronic treatment with PDE5-is.

Neuromodulatory Effects Induced by the Association of Moringa oleifera Lam., Tribulus terrestris L., Rhodiola rosea Lam., and Undaria pinnatidifida Extracts in the Hypothalamus.

The present study investigated the role of a commercial formulation constituted by herbal extracts from Rhodiola rosea, Undaria pinnatifida, Tribulus terrestris, and Moringa oleifera. The formulation was analysed for determining the content in total phenols and flavonoids and scavenging/reducing properties. The formulation was also tested on isolated mouse hypothalamus in order to investigate effects on serotonin, dopamine, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and orexin A. The gene expression of gonadrotopin releasing hormone (GnRH) was also assayed. The formulation was able to reduce dopamine and serotonin turnover, and this could be related, albeit partially, to the capability of different phytochemicals, among which hyperoside and catechin to inhibit monoaminooxidases activity. In parallel, the formulation was effective in reducing the gene expression of NPY and orexin-A and to improve the gene expression of GnRH. In this context, the increased GnRH gene expression induced by the formulation may contribute not only to improve the resistance towards the stress related to ageing, but also to prevent the reduction of libido that could be related with a stimulation of the serotoninergic pathway. According to the in silico analysis, hyperoside could play a pivotal role in modulating the gene expression of GnRH. Regarding NPY and orexin A gene expression, no direct interactions between the formulation phytochemicals and these neuropeptides were anticipated; thus, suggesting that the pattern of gene expression observed following exposure of the hypothalamus to the formulation may be secondary to inhibitory effects of dopamine and serotonin turnover. Concluding, the present study demonstrated the efficacy of the formulation in exerting neuromodulatory effects at the hypothalamic level; thus, suggesting the potential to contrast stress and fatigue.

Phytosynthesis of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Efficacy Studies.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are widely acknowledged as a significant and pressing public health concern. Tribulus terrestris has been used as a health tonic in traditional medicine since ancient Vedic times. It was also utilized to synthesize small, well-dispersed metal nanoparticles (NPs). Thebiosynthesized nickel oxidenanoparticles (NiO-NPs) have a broad spectrum of biomedical uses. The objective of the research was to utilize a green synthesis method to synthesizeNiO-NPsusing Tribulus terrestris, subsequently characterize, and this study aimed to assess the antioxidant and antibacterial effectiveness of these NPs against wound isolates that are resistant to multiple drugs. The synthesis of NiO-NPs was achieved through the titration method, which is a green synthesis approach, and it was characterized by using techniques such as ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM),X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, andenergy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The antioxidant activity of theNPs was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) assay, and antibacterial activity was done using the agar well diffusion method. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21 (Released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States)is used for statistical analysis. The biosynthesized NiO-NPs exhibited acolor change from dark brown to dark green, indicating the successful reduction of the NPs.UV analysis peaks were observed at 310-350 nm, whileFT-IRanalysis showed the peaks at various wavelengths such as 629.31cm-1(halo compound; C-Br stretching), 957.80cm-1(aromatic phosphates; P-O-C stretch), 1004.65cm-1 (aliphatic phosphates; P-O-C stretch), 1094.93cm-1(organic siloxane or silicone; Si-O-Si), 1328.38cm-1(dialkyl/aryl sulfones), 1604.88cm-1(open-chainazo-N=N-), 2928.68cm-1 (methylene C-H asym/sym stretch), 3268.65cm-1(normal polymeric "OH" stretch). The crystallinity of the NPs was determined to be 24.7%, while the remaining 75.6% exhibited an amorphous structure. The SEM image revealed a spherically agglomeratedstructure of the nano-ranged size NiO-NPs.TheEDX analysis indicated the presence of elemental compositions Ni (7.4%), O (39.4%), and C (53.3%)in the biosynthesized NiO-NPs. These NPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, moderate antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and the lowest antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. Our in vitro results demonstrate that the biosynthesized NiO-NPsexhibit significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity. These NPs can be used as a future antimicrobial medication, particularly against MDR clinical wound isolates ofK. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and MRSA.

&lt;i&gt;In Silico&lt;/i&gt; Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Gokshura (&lt;i&gt;Tribulus terrestris&lt;/i&gt; L.) and &lt;i&gt;Punarnava&lt;/i&gt; (&lt;i&gt;Boerhavia diffusa&lt;/i&gt; L.) for their Nephroprotective Activity in Chronic Kidney Disease and Related Complications

Kidney diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Diabetes and hypertension are the main causes of kidney failure resulting in 3 out of 4 new cases. Most of the conventional drugs used in various disease conditions are reported for their nephrotoxic actions and their continuous use can also damage the kidneys. Ayurveda recommends certain herbal drugs like Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris L.) and Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa L.) which can control endstage kidney disease and its complications through the rejuvenation of the kidneys. The present study is an effort to show the nephroprotective potential of bioactive compounds present in Tribulus terrestris L. and Boerhavia diffusa L. against critical nephroprotective targets carbonic anhydrase II, renin, HIF propyl hydroxylase 2/ EGLN1, angiotensin-converting enzyme II, vasopressin receptor 2 against their respective standard drugs through in silico technique and to verify the probable efficacy of these herbs in chronic kidney disease against modern medication. Discovery Studio (DS Visualizer 2016) and Auto Dock tool (ADT Tools-1.5.6) were used for molecular docking. Among the major bioactive compounds screened, chlorogenin, hecogenin, diosgenin, neotigogenin and beta-sitosterol from Tribulus terrestris L., Beta-sitosterol, boerhavisterol, liriodenine, boerhadiffusene and ursolic acid from Boerhavia diffusa L. observed to exhibit significantly higher binding energy (BE) and inhibition constant (IC50) towards CA II, Renin, EGLN1, ACE II and V2R than their respective standard drugs. The study has demonstrated the nephroprotective activity of Tribulus terrestris L. and Boerhavia diffusa L. by inhibiting receptor activity against standard drug molecules.

Ayurvedic Pharmacology for Mutrakrichra

Mutrakrichra roga (urinary disorders), is a prevalent ailment described in Ayurveda with diverse aetiologies and manifestations. Managing Mutrakrichra (urinary disorders) involves using various herbal drugs with diuretic, lithotriptic, and soothing properties. This study aims to compile and compare the drugs used in treating Mutrakrichra roga (urinary disorders) from different classical Ayurvedic texts or Samhitas, including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya, and other manuscripts. A systematic review of these texts was conducted to identify the drugs recommended for managing Mutrakrichra roga (urinary disorders). The findings revealed a rich repository of medicinal plants and formulations used for their therapeutic effects on urinary disorders, including Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Punarnava (Boerrhavia diffusa), and many others. This compilation of drugs from different Samhitas provides valuable insights into the traditional knowledge and practices of Ayurveda in managing Mutrakrichra roga. It underscores the need for further research and clinical studies to validate the efficacy and safety of these herbal remedies in contemporary healthcare practices.

Tribuloside: Mechanisms and Efficacy in Treating Acute Lung Injury Revealed by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious illness that has few treatment options available. Tribuloside, a natural flavonoid extracted from the Tribulus Terrestris plant in China, is potent in addressing many health issues such as headaches, dizziness, itching, and vitiligo. This study intends to explore the mechanisms of action of Tribuloside in treating ALI through a combination of network pharmacology and experimental validation. We obtained the 2D structure and SMILES number of Tribuloside from the PubChem database. We used the SwissTargetPrediction database to identify pharmacological targets. We found 1215 targets linked to ALI by examining the GeneCards database. We used the String database and Cytoscape software to create the "drug or disease-target" network as well as the protein-protein interactions (PPI). Key targets were identified by evaluating associated biological processes and pathway enrichment. A Venny Diagram showed 49 intersection points between Tribuloside and ALI. Molecular docking with AutoDockTools found that Tribuloside had a high affinity for IL6, BCL2, TNF, STAT3, IL1B, and MAPK3, the top 6 targets in the PPI network by Degree values. To test Tribuloside's therapeutic efficacy in ALI, an acute lung damage model in mice was constructed using lipopolysaccharide. Tribuloside treatment reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased fibrotic area, repaired damaged alveoli, and suppressed inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the lungs through many pathways and targets. This study reveals that Tribuloside has the potential to treat ALI by targeting various pathways and targets, according to network pharmacology predictions and experimental confirmation.

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS L. AGAINST ESCHERICHIA COLI AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

The experiment was performed on the plant Tribulus terrestris L. which was collected from Khobar region in Al Dhale’ Governorate, Republic of Yemen on March. The extracts used (aqueous and methanol) were prepared in Lab of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy – Aden University. The experiment was done on two types of bacteria, one Gram negative (Escherichia coli) and one Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus). The antimicrobial part of the experiment was carried out in the Microbiology Lab - University of Science and Technology, Aden, Yemen. The experiment was performed in triplicates, and using three factors (Type of solvent, Time and Concentrations). The results obtained were the following: The best solvent for extracting antibacterial substances was methanol in both bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus). The concentrations that produced the highest inhibition zones in E. coli were 600 and 800 mg/ml using well method, while in S. aureus the best concentrations were 400 and 600 mg /ml. The best result was obtained after 72 h using disk method on S. aureus, and using well method on E. coli. Interaction between concentrations and type of solvent showed that the best result was obtained by methanol extract using disk method at 200 mg/ml against E. coli, while the best result against S. aureus was obtained by methanol extract using disk method at 800 mg/ml. Interaction between different times and type of solvent indicated that the best result against E. coli was observed after 72h by aqueous extract using well method, while the best result against S. aureus was observed after 72h by methanol extract using disk method. Interaction between concentrations and different times showed that the best result was obtained after 72h at concentration 800mg/ml using well method against E. coli, while the best result against S. aureus was after 72h at concentration 400mg/ml using disk method. Interaction between type of solvent, concentrations and different times indicated that the best result in E. coli was observed after 72h by methanol extract at 200mg/ml using disk method, while the best result in S. aureus was observed after 72h by aqueous extract at 600mg/ml using disk method.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by iraqi herbalists in the management of Nephrolithiasis: A cross-Sectional survey conducted in Southern Iraq “Karbala.”

Nephrolithiasis is one of the most significant urinary tract diseases, with an enormous socio-economic impact. Numerous research studies have been conducted to assess the potential of herbal medicine in managing kidney stones; however, further study is required in Iraq. The objective was to document the ethno-botanical uses of medicinal plants in managing nephrolithiasis in southern Iraq and analyse the herbalists’ diagnostic method. A cross-sectional survey was performed through face-to-face interviews with 48 herbalists practicing in Karbala. The results indicated the use of 19 species from 10 botanical families. Zea mays, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Tribulus terrestris exhibited the highest frequency of mentions, accounting for 81.25%, 56.25%, and 52.0%, respectively. The botanical plant families Apiaceae and Fabaceae were predominantly utilized, accounting for usage rates of 31.5% and 15.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the data indicated that seeds were the most utilized plant parts, and decoction was the predominant preparation technique. Moreover, the data showed that although a significant proportion of herbalists possessed a high level of education, most of these herbalists (72.9%) relied on patient symptoms rather than physician diagnosis when identifying nephrolithiasis, irrespective of their experience or education level. Herbalists commonly suggest cures for nephrolithiasis without considering the specific type and location of the stone. This study concluded that medicinal plants are significant for future research endeavors to treat and manage nephrolithiasis.

Inhibitory Potential of Tribulus terrestris on Calcium Oxalate Crystals, Struvite Crystals and Bacterial Pathogens: A Preliminary Investigation

Kidney stone formation and recurring urinary tract infection (UTIs) are common among the general population. An alternative herbal treatment potential was investigated in this study. This study aims to investigate anti-urolithiasis efficacy of herbal Tribulus terrestris (TT) plant leaf extract in reducing the growth of calcium oxalate and struvite crystal using in vitro methods. In vitro antiurolithiatic potential of TT leaf extract was studied using nucleation, aggregation, and crystal formation assays in synthetic media and in synthetic urine samples. In vitro antiurolithiasis potential of Tribulus terrestris (TT) plant leaf extract was investigated at concentrations ranging from 100 to 1000 μg/ml. Initially, the principal phytochemical constituents of TT methanolic leaf extract was examined. Then antibacterial properties of TT plant leaf extract were tested against common urinary tract pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The results of the nucleation assay revealed that TT leaf extract reduced up to 55% of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystallization and inhibits struvite crystal formation up to 85% with 5% (0.43 g) of TT extract. This study revealed a dose-dependent suppression of crystal formation by increased TT plant leaf extract dosage. The antibacterial activity of TT plant leaf extract is greater against E. coli than S. aureus. This anti-urolithiasis potential of TT plant extract can be used as an antidote for individuals who are prone to urinary crystal formation as well as to control urinary tract infections.

MEDICINAL USES, PRESERVATION, PROMOTION AND CRITICAL STUDY OF DASHMOOLA: AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT DESCRIBED IN AYURVEDA SCRIPTURE

Ayurveda is a scientific method of ancient medicine, in which single and mixed medicines are used multiple times for medicine, in which Dashmoola has its special place. Ashtavarga, Pañcamūla, Trinapanchamoola and Dashmoola are widely used as mixed medicinal components. Dashmoola is made up of two words Dash and Moola, which means "root of ten medicines", i.e., roots of ten medicinal plants are taken in equal proportion. Generally, it is considered to be a combination of the Brihit and Laghu Pañcamūla. Of these ten roots, five roots are of trees known as Bṛhat Pañcamūla and five roots are of bushes known as Laghu Pañcamūla. Bṛhat Pañcamūla includes Bilva [Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa], Gambhari (Gmelina arborea Roxb. ex Sm.), Agnimantha (Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f.), Patla [Stereospermum chelonoides (L.f.) DC.], Shyonak [Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz] while Laghu Pañcamūla includes Brihati (Solanum indicum L.), Gokharu (Tribulus terrestris L.), Kantakari (Solanum virginianum L.), Prshniparni [Uraria picta (Jacq.) Desv. Ex DC.], Shalaparni [Pleurolobus gangeticus (L.) J.St.-Hil. ex H.Ohashi &amp; K.Ohashi]. Dashmoola is used for the treatment of various diseases, sach as arthritis, asthma, headache, prenatal problems, Parkinson's disease, muscle cramps, lower back pain, etc. In the present review article, habitat, distribution, ecological note, common and vedic nomenclature, flowering and fruiting period, conservation status and medicinal properties of each plant in Dashmoola, have been discussed in detail and Herbarium sheet with field numbers of all plants are available in the Patanjali Research Foundation Herbarium

The Effect of a Tribulus-Based Formulation in Alleviating Cholinergic System Impairment and Scopolamine-Induced Memory Loss in Zebrafish (Danio rerio): Insights from Molecular Docking and In Vitro/In Vivo Approaches.

Tribulus terrestris L. (Tt) has been recently gaining attention for its pharmacological value, including its neuroprotective activities. In this study, we explore the neuroprotective effects of a Tribulus terrestris extract in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of scopolamine (SCOP)-induced memory impairment and brain oxidative stress. SCOP, an anticholinergic drug, was employed to replicate fundamental aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in animal models. The fish were treated with ethanolic leaf extract (ELE) from Tt (1, 3, and 6 mg/L) for 15 days. SCOP (100 µM) was administered 30 min before behavioral tests were conducted. Molecular interactions of the major compounds identified via UPLC-PDA/MS in Tt fractions with the active site of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were explored via molecular docking analyses. Terrestrosin C, protodioscin, rutin, and saponin C exhibited the most stable binding. The spatial memory performance was assessed using the Y-maze test, and memory recognition was examined using a novel object recognition (NOR) test. Tt extract treatment reversed the altered locomotion patterns that were caused by SCOP administration. Biochemical analyses also verified Tt's role in inhibiting AChE, improving antioxidant enzyme activities, and reducing oxidative stress markers. The present findings pave the way for future application of Tt as a natural alternative to treat cognitive disorders.

Synthesis of CuO/NaCuSO4 nanocomposite using an aqueous extract of Tribulus Terrestris and their structural, optical, morphology and dielectric studies

The development of an environment-friendly process for synthesizing nanoparticles in the field of bionanotechnology is growing day-by-day. Increasing drug resistance in microbes has compelled researchers to synthesize biologically active nanoparticles. In this study, we used Tribulus terrestris plant extract to synthesize CuO/NaCuSO4 nanocomposite. The synthesized samples were characterized through functional groups analysis of FTIR and morphological analysis of SEM. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultra-visible light absorbance analysis (UV–vis) were used to find the nanocrystalline nature and bandgap energy of the biosynthesized copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, respectively. In the metal oxide region of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy the copper oxide nanoparticles were confirmed at 523 cm−1 which showed the nature of plant extracts to control over the reduction and stabilizing of the nanoparticles. The Rietveld refinement analysis yielded unit cell compositions of 53.39% for CuO and 46.61% for NaCuSO4, respectively. The monoclinic structure of CuO was confirmed, and the crystalline size was calculated as 37 nm by XRD analysis. From UV–vis spectroscopy, the absorption peak was observed at 277 and 337 nm, revealing the presence of CuO nanoparticles. In fact, the cluster-like morphology patterns are captured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle sizes were observed around 102 nm. Finally, the dielectric properties of the synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles have been examined and reported in detail.

The pH estimation of decoction of hingu (Ferula foetida Regel,), chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica Linn), dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa kurz), shatavari (Asperagus racemosus willd), shunthi (Zingiber officinale Rosc), maricha (Piper nigrum Linn), gokshura (Tri

The pH is measured on a scale of 0-14 with lower values indicating high H+ which is more acidic and higher values indicating H+ ion activity which is less acidic. The pH of 7 is considered as neutral. The acids are the substances that produce free hydrogen ions(H+) when dissolved in water. Bases are substances that produce hydroxyl ions(OH-) when dissolved in water. Acidic solutions are rich in hydrogen ions and basic solutions are poor in hydrogen ions. Some acids dissociate only partly, releasing large amounts of H+ ions, and are called as strong acids. In same way, bases that dissociate partly are called weak bases and those that dissociate completely are called as bases. The acidic or basic property of substances is measured in terms of pH. It is a measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration. pH is defined as the negative logarithm(Base 10) of hydrogen ion concentration. pH= - log[H+] If the hydrogen ion concentration id very high, the pH value is very low. This is determined using a scale ranging from 0-14 called the pH scale. It was introduced by a Danish chemist Soren Peder Lauritz Sorensen. Substances with pH lower than 7 are acidic, those with pH equal to 7 are neutral and those with pH greater than 7 are basic in nature. The pH of water is 7. In the present work the decoction of Hingu(Ferula foetida Regel,), Chitraka(Plumbago zeylanica Linn), Dhataki(Woodfordia fruticosa kurz), Shatavari(Asperagus racemosus willd), Shunthi(Zingiber officinale Rosc), Maricha(Piper nigrum Linn), Gokshura(Tribulus terrestris Linn) and Chandana(Santalum album Linn) were subjected for experimentation. The observed values were tabulated. The pH estimation helps to determine the acidic and basic strength of acids and bases.

Metabolomic and chemometric profiles of Tribulus terrestris L. from three different locations in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

Background: Tribulus terrestris L. is a traditional herb regularly recognised as puncture vine, yellow vine, devils horn, goat head and caltrop, this is often a yearly shaggy herbaceous plant species with stems of up to 2m long, having a place to the family of Zygophyllaceae.Aim: The study explored the therapeutic potential of this herb as it is being utilised for pharmaceutical purposes because of its furostanol saponins, which have a stimulating impact on characteristic testosterone levels.Setting: The study took place in different locations of Mpumalanga Province, Bushbuckridge (24.8398°S, 31.0464°E), Kamagugu (25.4566° S, 31.0034° E) and Nkomatipoort (25.4510° S, 31.9587° E).Methods: Utilising ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS), 50 metabolites were tentatively identified within the leaves of Tribulus terrestris L. from three diverse areas of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.Results: Metabolomic-chemometric analysis revealed that Parvispinoside B, F-Gitonin and Gitonin scored highest for the discrimination of Tribulus terrestris L. from three locale clusters. Heat maps showed designs and groupings based on the metabolite concentrations.Conclusion: This study provided novel insights in terms of thorough identification of the secondary metabolites and characterization of the leaves of Tribulus terrestris L. in the areas studied.Contribution: To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first metabolite profile of Tribulus terrestris L. and its compositional differences in the Mpumalanga region, providing chemical-based evidence for its nutritive and/or health benefits

Determination of anticancer activity and biosynthesis of Cu, Zn, and Co hybrid nanoflowers with Tribulus terrestris L. extract

In this work, a green process for the synthesis and characterization of hybrid nanoflowers was proposed, wherein Tribulus terrestris L. extract functioned as the organic component and Cu (II), Zn (II) and Co (II) metal ions as the inorganic element during the formation of the nanoflowers. To characterize the synthesized hybrid nanoflowers (hNFs), the morphologies were investigated using SEM, EDX, FT-IR analysis, elemental mapping, and XRD spectroscopy. The cytotoxic effect of hNFs was investigated to test biological activity. A549 cell lines and the MTT staining method were used for the anticancer activity of T. terrestris L. extract and hNFs. Differences in SEM images were observed as the metal content changed. Cytotoxic evaluations have shown that Co nanoflower may be a safer therapeutic alternative than plant extracts and other nanoflowers. It was observed that Zn and Cu hybrid nanoflowers were influential on the cell line up to a specific concentration, but as the concentration increased, they increased cell viability. It was observed that metal hybrid nanoflowers increased the anticancer activity compared to T. terrestris L. extract. These results can contribute to developing adequate new-generation preparations for A549 (lung cancer) problems of nanoflowers synthesized using T. terrestris L. extract. In summary, this study has been conducted for the first time.

Efficacy of Herbal Medicines in Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Scoping Review

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is most frequently stated gynaecological and metabolic disorder. Many pharmacological drugs have been used to treat PCOS with numerous side effects, which have resulted in the selection of alternative treatments from natural sources. Hence, this review aims to investigate the efficacy of medicinal herbs in regularising ovulation, hyperandrogenism, and other metabolic condition in PCOS. To conduct this review, extensive literature was searched between 2010 to 2021, from PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, and ProQuest. Based on the keywords “polycystic ovarian syndrome” or “medicinal herbs” or “ovarian cysts” or “hyperandrogenism” or “insulin resistance”. Irrelevant studies were excluded from the database. Twelve clinical studies and nine animal studies were included in the review paper. Treatment included herbs such as “Cinnamomum zeylanicum Meism, 1864”,“Curcuma longa L. 1753”, “Tribulus terrestris L. (1753)”,“Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt., 1818” and “Vitex agnus-castus (1753)”. These bioactive compounds have shown to reduce luteinising hormone, progesterone, oestradiol and fasting insulin levels. The evidence supports Vitex agnus-castus and Cimicifuga racemosa have a synergistic impact in management of amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea, infertility, and ovulation. cinnamon spp. and Curcuma longa improve insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Tribulus terresitris alone and in combination with “Withania somnifera Dunal, 1852” &amp; “Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC, 1830” has shown promising effects but in the latent stage. Based on the evidence, it may be suggested herbal medicines are effective, alone or in alternative form, in amelioration of the symptoms of PCOS.

Letter to the editor on a publication entitled “Effect of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris L.) on gynecomastia and levels of sex hormone in chronic liver disease: A case report”

Letter to the editor on a publication entitled “Effect of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris L.) on gynecomastia and levels of sex hormone in chronic liver disease: A case report”

Potential Mitigation of Spirotetramat-Induced Reproductive Toxicity by Tribulus terrestris in Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

Potential Mitigation of Spirotetramat-Induced Reproductive Toxicity by Tribulus terrestris in Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

The effect of eight weeks of resistance training with tribulus terrestris on the apoptosis mechanism in the heart tissue of rats exposed to stanozolol

Introduction: Abuse of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) has irreversible effects on the heart in athletes. On the other hand, the beneficial effects of tribulus terrestris (T) have been shown to reduce cardiovascular risks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) with T on the apoptosis mechanism in the heart tissue of rats exposed to stanozolol (S). Methods: in this experimental study 35 male rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats including: 1) sham (normal saline) (Sh), 2) S, 3) S+100 mg/kg T (ST100), 4) S+50 mg/kg T (ST50), 5) S+RT (SRT), 6) S+RT+100 mg/kg T (SRTT100), and 7) S+RT+50 mg/kg T (SRTT50). During eight weeks, groups 5-7 performed three sessions of RT pre week, and groups 3, 4, 6, and 7 received specific doses of T daily. In order to analyze the research findings, the Shapiro-Wilk, one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post- hoc tests were used in SPSS21 software (P≤0.05). Results: RT reduced gene expression of CRP, cytochrome-c, AIF-1 and caspase-9 in the heart tissue (P=0.001); 50 and 100 mg/kg T reduced gene expression of CRP, cytochrome-c, AIF-1 (P=0.001) so that 100 mg/kg T has more favorable effect than 50 mg/kg T (P=0.001). Also, RT with T had interactive effects on reducing the genetic expression of CRP, cytochrome-c, AIF-1 and caspase-9 (P=0.001). Conclusion: RT and T consumption seem to have synergistic effects in reducing the apoptotic pathway markers in the heart tissue of rats exposed to the supra-physiologic dose of S.