OBJECTIVETo study the suitable growth density and the optimal harvest time of Tribulus terrestris.

METHODFour growth densities were set with 60 cm breadth ridge and individual distance of 10, 20, 30 and 50 cm. The yield per individual and per unit area under the different growth densities were determined. Using yam saponin as a standard substance, the total saponin of T. terrestris was determined by UV spectrophotometry.

RESULTThe individual yield decreased with the density increase, but the difference between 30 cm and 50 cm individual distance was not substantial. The yield per unit area increased with density increase, and the difference between all densities was significant. The yield peak was in the last ten-day of August. The best leaves area index was 1.4 at the growth peak time. The total saponins content reached peaks respectively in the last ten-day of June and August, but the peak in last ten-day of August was consistent with the one of yield per unit area, and the total ashes content was the lowest at the same time.

CONCLUSIONThe suitable growth density is 10 cm individual distance on the 60 cm breadth ridge. The optimal harvest time is in the last ten-day of August. The yield per unit area is 1 400 - 2 000 kg x hm(-2).

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; analysis ; Seasons ; Time Factors ; Tribulus ; chemistry ; growth & development

PURPOSE: Tribulus terrestris has been used as an aphrodisiac. However, little is known about the effects and mechanism of action of T. terrestris on penile erection. Therefore, the effect of a T. terrestris extract and the mechanism of action of the extract on relaxation of the corpus cavernosum (CC) were investigated. The erectogenic effects of an oral preparation of the extract were also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relaxation effects and mechanism of action of the T. terrestris extract on rabbit CC were investigated in an organ bath. The intracavernous pressure (ICP) was calculated after oral administration of the extract for 1 month to evaluate whether the relaxation response of the CC shown in the organ bath occurred in vivo. Additionally, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured in the CC by immunoassay. Smooth muscle relaxation was expressed as the percentage decrease in precontraction induced by phenylephrine. The ICP was also assessed in rats after oral administration of the extract for 1 month, and changes in concentrations of cGMP and cAMP were monitored. RESULTS: Concentration-dependent relaxation effects of the extract on the CC were detected in the organ bath study. Relaxation of the CC by the T. terrestris extract was inhibited in both an endothelium-removed group and an L-arginen methyl ester pretreatment group. The ICP measured after oral administration of the T. terrestris extract for 1 month was higher than that measured in the control group, and a significant increase in cAMP was observed in the T. terrestris extract group. CONCLUSIONS: The T. terrestris extract induced concentration-dependent relaxation of the CC in an organ bath. The mechanism included a reaction involving the nitric oxide/nitric oxide synthase pathway and endothelium of the CC. Moreover, in an in vivo study, the T. terrestris extract showed a significant concentration-dependent increase in ICP. Accordingly, the T. terrestris extract may improve erectile function.
Adenosine Monophosphate ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Baths ; Endothelium ; Guanosine Monophosphate ; Immunoassay ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Penile Erection ; Phenylephrine ; Rats ; Relaxation ; Tribulus

OBJECTIVEThe content differences of leaf, plant and fruit of Tribulus terrestris was compared to study the feasibility of whole plant medicinal use.

METHODThe samples were collected in three typical habitats and six different production areas of T. terrestris. The main medicinal ingredients saponins and flavonoids were determined in root, stem, leaf and fruit during the harvest time.

RESULTThe two ingredients were abounded in leaf and more than 2.61 times as in other parts of the plant. The results showed that there were no differences between the whole plant and the fruit.

CONCLUSIONIt should pay more attentions on the collection, preservation and utilization of the leaf of T. terrestris in the harvesting and processing stage. The whole plant for medical use was feasibility based on the content of the ingredients.

Flavonoids ; analysis ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; analysis ; Tribulus ; chemistry

The contents of terrestroside B and terrestrosin K in Tribuli Fructus with different degree of stir-frying were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detector( HPLC-ELSD). The results showed that the contents of terrestroside B and terrestrosin K were increased at first and then decreased,and both of them had the highest content at the best time of heating. The results of simulated processing of Tribulus Terrestris saponins showed that when the processing time kept constant,the contents of terrestroside B and terrestrosin K were decreased gradually with the increase of processing temperature from 180 ℃ to240 ℃. At a certain temperature,the content of terrestrosin K was increased first and then decreased with the prolongation of processing time,and reached the highest level at 5 min. However,the content of terrestroside B was increased first and then decreased with the increase of processing time only at 180 ℃,and reached the highest level at 10 min. When the processing temperature was controlled at200,220 and 240 ℃ respectively,the content of terrestroside B was decreased gradually with the increase of processing time. The simulated processing products of tribuluside A,terrestroside B and terrestrosin K were qualitatively characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry( UPLC-TOF/MS). It was proved that tribuluside A and terrestrosin Ⅰ containing C-22-OH were dehydroxylated in the processing of Tribuli Fructus and transformed respectively into terrestroside B and terrestrosin K containing C-20-C-22 double bond. As a result,the contents of terrestroside B and terrestrosin K were increased. The sugar chains at C-3 and C-26 positions of terrestroside B and terrestrosin K could be deglycosylated and converted into monosaccharide chain saponins and short sugar chain saponins,so the contents of terrestroside B and terrestrosin K were reduced. The study provides reference for further revealing the processing principle of Tribuli Fructus.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Saponins ; analysis ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Tribulus ; chemistry

Anti-coccidial effects of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris (Tribuli fructus) ethanol extract (TTE) were studied with animal experiment following per oral administration with Eimeria (E.) tenella. This experiment was performed on the 3-day-old chicks (n=30). The animals were divided with 3 groups; TFE 15mg per animal+infected (n=10), TTE untreated+infected (n=10) and non-infected control (n=10). Animals were administrated with or without TTE during 1 week, and then inoculated with E. tenella. The anti-coccidial activity were evaluated with oocysts shedding numbers in stools, body weights changes and food intake changes. The TTE-inoclated animals revealed significantly decreased stool oocysts numbers (P < 0.05) when compared to the TTE untreated animals. Also, TTE-treated animals showed more increased body weight gains (P < 0.05) than the TTE untreated animals. These results demonstrate that TTE produce anticoccidial activities against E. tenella. TTE could be a promising treatment for the coccidiosis.
Administration, Oral ; Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Coccidiosis ; Eating ; Eimeria tenella* ; Eimeria* ; Ethanol* ; Fruit* ; Oocysts ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Tribulus*

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated antiglycation and antioxidant activities of crude dry extract and saponin fraction of Tribulus terrestris. It also developed a method of microencapsulation and evaluated antiglycation and antioxidant activities of crude dry extract and saponin fraction before and after microcapsule release. METHODS: Antiglycation activity was determined by relative electrophoretic mobility (REM), free amino groups and inhibition of advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation. Antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO) and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) tests. Microcapsules were prepared using maltodextrin as wall material and freeze-drying as encapsulation technique. Morphological characterization of microcapsules was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, and encapsulation efficiency and microcapsule release were determined by total saponins released. Antiglycation and antioxidant assays were performed using crude dry extract and saponin fraction of T. terrestris before and after release. RESULTS: Saponin fraction showed an increase of 32.8% total saponins. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of saponins in the obtained fraction. Antiglycation evaluation by REM demonstrated that samples before and after release presented antiglycation activity similar to bovine serum albumin treated with aminoguanidine. Additionally, samples inhibited AGE formation, highlighting treatment with saponin fraction after release (89.89%). Antioxidant tests demonstrated antioxidant activity of the samples. Crude dry extract before encapsulation presented the highest activities in DPPH (92.00%) and TBARS (32.49%) assays. Saponin fraction before encapsulation in FRAP test (499 μmol Trolox equivalent per gram of dry sample) and NO test (15.13 μmol nitrite formed per gram of extract) presented the highest activities. CONCLUSION This study presented antiglycation activity of crude dry extract and saponin fraction of T. terrestris, besides it demonstrated promising antioxidant properties. It also showed that the encapsulation method was efficient and maintained biological activity of bioactive compounds after microcapsule release. These results provide information for further studies on antidiabetic and antiaging potential, and data for new herbal medicine and food supplement formulations containing microcapsules with crude extract and/or saponin fraction of T. terrestris.
Antioxidants/chemistry* ; Capsules ; Complex Mixtures ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Tribulus

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tribulus terrestris extract on melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) expression in C57BL/6J mouse hair follicles, and investigate the role of Tribulus terrestris extract in activation, proliferation, epidermal migration of dormant hair follicle melanocytes.

METHODSThe aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris was administered orally in specific pathogen-free C57BL/6J mouse at the daily dose equivalent to 1 g/1 kg in adult human, and the expression and distribution of MSH in the mouse hair follicles was observed with immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe positivity rate of MSH expression in the hair follicle melanocytes was 75% in mice treated with the extract, significantly higher than the rate of only 18.75% in the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris can significantly increase MSH expression in the hair follicle melanocytes by activating tyrosinase activity and promoting melanocyte proliferation, melanine synthesis, and epidermal migration of dormant melanocytes.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones ; biosynthesis ; Melanocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Tribulus ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of saponins from Tribulus terrestris (STT) on liver cancer cell line BEL-7402.

METHODMTT, SRB, Wright staining, acridine orange staining, flow cytometry, and Immunofluorescence microscopy were used to evaluate the effects of STT on BEL-7402 cell line.

RESULTSMT had potent inhibitory effect on BEL-7402 cell line in a concentration-dependent manner. BEL-7402 cells exibited typical morphological alteration of apoptosis when sub-G1 peak could be seen. The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased in STT treated cells as compared with untreated control cells.

CONCLUSIONSTT exerts its cytotoxic effect on BEL-7402 cells by inducing apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tribulus ; chemistry

Antimicrobial activity of organic and aqueous extracts from fruits, leaves and roots of Tribulus terrestris L., an Iraqi medicinal plant used as urinary anti-infective in folk medicine, was examined against 11 species of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using microdilution method in 96 multiwell microtiter plates. All the extracts from the different parts of the plant showed antimicrobial activity against most tested microorganisms. The most active extract against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was ethanol extract from the fruits with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.15 mg/ml against B. subtilis, B. cereus, P. vulgaris and C. diphtheriae. In addition, the same extract from the same plant part demonstrated the strongest antifungal activity against C. albicans with an MIC value of 0.15 mg/ml.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Humans ; Iraq ; Medicine, Traditional ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Plant Extracts ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; Tribulus ; metabolism ; Urinary Tract Infections ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of saponins from Tribulus terrestris (STT) on small intestinal a-glucosidase and postprandial blood glucose levels in rats.

METHODThe inhibitory effects of STT on a-glucosidase extracted from small intestines in rats were carried out in vitro. The blood glucose levels were measured after 60 min when sucrose (2 g x kg(-1)) or glucose (2 g x kg(-1)) was administered orally with STT (100 mg x kg(-1)). After treated with STT (100 mg x kg(-1)) for 14 d, the activities of a-glucosidase were determined daily, as well as the postprandial blood glucose levels after oraly administered sucrose (2 g x kg(-1)).

RESULTSTT at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg x mL(-1) reduced significantly the activities of alpha-glucosidase with inhibitory rates of (20.83 +/- 1.66)%, (43.73 +/- 2.39)% and (52.62 +/- 2.69)%, respectively. In facts STT (100 mg x kg(-1)) considerably decreased the blood glucose levels which was 52.61% of that of the control in rats co-administered orally with sucrose (2 g x kg(-1)). However, it showed no such effect on the rats co-administered orally with glucose (2 g x kg(-1)). After orally administered of STT for 14 d, the activity of alpha-glucosidase was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) to (58.17 +/- 3.24)% of that those in control. Meanwhile, The rats were oral administered with sucrose, the increase of postprandial blood glucose levels were (69.50 +/- 4.28)% of that in control 60 min later ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt was through inhibiting the activity of a-glucosidase in small intestines that STT significantly retarded the increase in postprandial blood glucose levels in rats.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Intestine, Small ; enzymology ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Postprandial Period ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tribulus ; chemistry ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism