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

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 101; no. 1; pp. 319 - 323
• Main Authors: Neychev, V.K., Mitev, V.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 03.10.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; androgenesis; androgens; Androgens - biosynthesis; Androstenedione; Androstenedione - biosynthesis; aphrodisiacs; Biological and medical sciences; biosynthesis; Bulgaria; chemical constituents of plants; erectile dysfunction; ethnobotany; General pharmacology; herbal medicines; Humans; Luteinizing hormone; Luteinizing Hormone - biosynthesis; Male; Medical sciences; medicinal plants; medicinal properties; men; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; plant extracts; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Prostate - drug effects; Prostate - pathology; Sexual Behavior - drug effects; Steroid saponins; Testosterone; Testosterone - biosynthesis; traditional medicine; Tribulus; Tribulus terrestris; Bulgaria; Luteinizing hormone; Testosterone; Tribulus terrestris; Androstenedione; Steroid saponins; Human; Steroid; Androgen; Pharmacognosy; Aphrodisiac; Male; Medicinal plant; Saponin; Plant origin; Testicular hormone; Sex steroid hormone
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.05.017

The aim of the current study is to investigate the influence of Tribulus terrestris extract on androgen metabolism in young males. 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. 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 ± 0.274 U/l); TT2 (mean ± S.D.: 4.103 ± 0.869 U/l); controls (mean ± S.D.: 4.170 ± 0.406 U/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.