None of the clinical trials that have studied the effects of Tribulus terrestris have reported an increase in adverse side effects when compared to placebo treatments.[1][2][3] While no toxicology studies have been conducted in humans, rodent studies that have administered Tribulus terrestris at a dose of 500 mg per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) for 28 days (equivalent to a human dose of 80 mg/kg after adjusting for metabolic and size differences) didn’t observe any toxic side effects.[4] In vitro studies have shown cytotoxic, genotoxic, and endocrine-disrupting effects of Tribulus terrestris, but it is unknown how this may translate to humans.[5]
What are Tribulus terrestris’ main drawbacks?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Tribulus terrestris has not been associated with increased adverse side effects in clinical trials, compared to placebo, and rodent studies at high doses showed no toxic effects. However, cell studies indicate potential cytotoxic, genotoxic, and endocrine-disrupting effects, though their relevance to humans remains unclear.