Tribulus terrestres

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research Vol. 5(16), pp. 3601-3605, 18 August, 2011
Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR
ISSN 1996-0875 ©2011 Academic Journals

Review

Tribulus terrestris Linn.: A review article
M. Akram1, H. M. Asif2, Naveed Akhtar2, Pervaiz A. Shah3, M. Uzair4, Ghazala Shaheen2,
Tahira Shamim2, S. M. Ali Shah2 and Khalil Ahmad2
1

1

Department of Basic Medical Sciences , Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University Karachi, Pakistan.
2
College of Conventional Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of
Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
3
University College of Pharmacy, Punjab University Lahore, Pakistan.
4
Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.
Accepted 22 February, 2011

Tribulus terrestris has long been used as a tonic and aphrodisiac in Unani system of medicine. It has been used in India and Pakistan as a treatment for impotence and as a stimulant to enhance sexual drive and performance (Brown et al., 2001). T. terrestris has diuretic and uricosuric effects. In this review article introduction, description, active constituents and medicinal uses of T. terrestris have been given herewith.
Key words: Tribulus terrestris, active constituents, medicinal uses.
INTRODUCTION
Tribulus terrestris L. is found to be growing in subtropical areas around the world. It is commonly known as Gokhru belonging to the family Zygophyllaceae, widely distributed throughout India. The fruits of T. terrestris L. have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of eye trouble, edema, abdominal distention, emission, morbid leucorrhea, sexual dysfunction and veiling. Roots and fruits are useful in rheumatism, piles, renal and vesical calculi, menorrhagia, impotency, premature ejaculation, general weakness etc. The fruits, flowers and leaves are shown in Figures 1 and 2. It is a very potent diuretic and tonic drug (Selvam, 2008). The