What are Tribulus terrestris’ main drawbacks?

    Last Updated: April 30, 2024

    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]

    References

    1. ^Ștefănescu R, Tero-Vescan A, Negroiu A, Aurică E, Vari CEA Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Properties of L.Biomolecules.(2020-May-12)
    2. ^Diego Fernández-Lázaro, Cesar I Fernandez-Lazaro, Jesús Seco-Calvo, Evelina Garrosa, David P Adams, Juan Mielgo-AyusoEffects of Tribulus terrestris L. on Sport and Health Biomarkers in Physically Active Adult Males: A Systematic ReviewInt J Environ Res Public Health.(2022 Aug 3)
    3. ^Kamenov Z, Fileva S, Kalinov K, Jannini EAEvaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in male sexual dysfunction-A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialMaturitas.(2017 May)
    4. ^Singh S, Nair V, Gupta YKEvaluation of the aphrodisiac activity of Tribulus terrestris Linn. in sexually sluggish male albino rats.J Pharmacol Pharmacother.(2012-Jan)
    5. ^Abudayyak M, Jannuzzi AT, Özhan G, Alpertunga BInvestigation on the toxic potential of Tribulus terrestris in vitro.Pharm Biol.(2015-Apr)