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This study reports that
“Tribulus terrestris increases some of the sex hormones, possibly due to the
presence of protodioscin in the extract. Tribulus terrestris may be useful
in mild to moderate cases of erectile dysfunction.”
The hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris and its role in the
management of male erectile dysfunction--an evaluation using primates,
rabbits and rats.
K. Gaurthaman and A.P.
Ganesan,Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of
Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119074
Singapore. obgkg@nus.edu.sg <obgkg@nus.edu.sg,
Phytomedicine. 2008 Jan;15(1-2):44-54
Hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris (TT)
were evaluated in primates, rabbit and rat to identify its usefulness in the
management of erectile dysfunction (ED). TT extract was administered
intravenously, as a bolus dose of 7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg, in primates for
acute study. Rabbits and normal rats were treated with 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg of
TT extract orally for 8 weeks, for chronic study. In addition, castrated
rats were treated either with testosterone cypionate (10mg/kg,
subcutaneously; biweekly for 8 weeks) or TT orally (5mg/kg daily for 8
weeks). Blood samples were analyzed for testosterone (T),
dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) levels
using radioimmunoassay. In primates, the increases in T (52%), DHT (31%) and
DHEAS (29%) at 7.5mg/kg were statistically significant. In rabbits, both T
and DHT were increased compared to control, however, only the increases in
DHT (by 30% and 32% at 5 and 10mg/kg) were statistically significant. In
castrated rats, increases in T levels by 51% and 25% were observed with T
and TT extract respectively that were statistically significant.
TT increases some of the sex
hormones, possibly due to the presence of protodioscin in the extract. TT
may be useful in mild to moderate cases of ED.
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