Tribulus Terrestris And Sexual Behavior
What’s in Tribulus Terrestris?
The fruits of tribulus contain a number of different substances including saponins (protodioscin, furostanol), glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, tannins, sugars, sterols, and essential oil. Recently, two new saponins have been isolated from tribulus terrestris: Terrestrinins A and B, . A frequently mentioned substance in tribulus terrestris is protodioscin, which some claim is one of the active substances within this plant.
Is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native to warm and tropical regions of the Old World, southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and in Australia. It can thrive in harsh conditions and is extremely hardy. Tribulus is a herb that has been used in the traditional medicine of China and India for thousands of years to increase libido and stamina.
Tribulus terrestris and sexual behavior
One of the rodent studies found Tribulus to be useful as a sex booster. Sexual behavior and intracavernous pressure (ICP) were studied in both normal and castrated mice to further evaluate the role of Tribulus as an aphrodisiac. ICP refers to blood flow into the corpus cavernosa of the male reproductive organ penis.
Tribulus Terrestris Benefit as sexual enhancer
One rodent study found tribulus to be helpful as a sex booster. Sexual behavior and intracavernous pressure (ICP) were studied in both normal and castrated rats to further understand the role of tribulus as an aphrodisiac. ICP refers to blood flow into the corpus cavernosa of the penis. Adult rats were divided into groups of 8 each that included distilled water treated (normal and castrated), testosterone treated (normal and castrated, 10 mg/kg body weight) and tribulus treated (castrated, 5 mg/kg body weight). Decreases in body weight, prostate weight and ICP were observed among the castrated groups of rats compared to the intact group. Compared to the castrated control, treatment of castrated rats (with either testosterone or tribulus extract) showed increase in prostate weight and ICP.
Apart from its claims for improvement of sexual functions in men, the puncturevine plant (Tribulus terrestris: TT) has long been considered as an energizer and vitalizer in the indigenous system of medicine. Sexual behavior and intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurements were taken in rats to scientifically validate the claim of TT [containing protodioscin (PTN)] as an aphrodisiac. Forty sexually mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 each.
How does it work?
Although the study is out of print, in the mid-70s, scientists at the Chemical Pharmaceutical Research Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria demonstrated that Tribulus may increase testosterone levels indirectly by raising blood levels of another hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH). LH is produced by the pituitary gland and plays a role in regulating natural testosterone production and serum levels by “turning on” natural testosterone production in humans.
Tribulus terrestris may also work as a sexual booster in other ways, besides increasing testosterone levels. There’s evidence that it can help facilitate erections by relaxing the smooth muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow into the the corpora cavernosa–the paired erectile chambers–and allows for the penis to inflate.
