Tribulus Terrestris Extract
Tribulus terrestris (of the family Zygophyllaceae) is an annual creeping herb widespread in China, eastern Asia, and extends into western Asia and southern Europe. Its root and fruits are used for male virility and general vitality, respectively. The roots enhance libido and sexual well being without affecting testosterone while the fruits appear to be potently protective of organ function.
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Specification: 40%~95% Saponins
Botanical Name: Tribulus terrestris L.
Characters: Powder
Color: Brown yellow powder
Odour: Characteristic
Mesh: 80
Loss on drying %: ≤5.0%
Composition:
The main components of the tribulus terrestris root extract include:
Protodioscin commonly seen as the main bioactive and can comprise up to 45% of the Tribulus terrestris dry extract (exluding macronutrient and water weight)
Pseudoprotodioscin
Dioscin and Diosgenin (0.031% in roots (wet weight); 0.065% in stem; 0.16% in aerial parts, and 0.095% overall)
Tribulosin (tigogenin 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl(1–2)-{β-d-xylopyranosyl (1–3)}-β-d-glucopyranosyl(1–4)-{a-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1–2)}-β-d-galactopyranoside), a spiral vagina steroid
Hecogenin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 4)-β-d-galactopyranoside
Gitogenin type saponins called Protodibestin and tribestin
Sulphated spirostanol and furostanol saponins (Bulgarian only) and general spirstanol and furostanol saponins
di-p-coumaroylquinic acid and 4,5-di-p-cis-coumaroylquinic acid
A 60kDa antilithiatic protein
Vitamin C at 909mg/100g (0.9%)
The fruits of the Tribulus plant (Tribulus terrestris fructi) contain:
Furostanol based steroidal saponins such as terrestroside A,B as well as terrestrinin B, terrestroneoside A, and chloromaloside and glycosides of these molecules including tribufuroside C and I-J
Spirostane based steroidal saponins
Tribulusamides A-D
Terrestramide
Pregnane glycosides
Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details
Given a 60% saponin extract, a dose of between 200-450mg a day is typically used for libido enhancement and sexuality.If rodent research applies to humans, then the dosage of 5mg/kg of tribulus terrestris saponins which is seen as the optimal dose would correlate to a human dose of:
55 mg saponins (90 mg of a 60% extract)
70 mg saponins (120 mg of a 60% extract)
90 mg saponins (150 mg of a 60% extract)
Which suggests low doses are better. If a concentrated extract is not used, traditional dosages of the basic root powder are in the 5-6g range while the fruits are in the 2-3g range.