Description

Specification:saponins *0%~*0% UV
                         protodioscin *0%~*0% HPLC

Tribulus terrestris L (TTL) is a herbal plant native to Bulgaria and China that has a long history as a powerful aphrodisiac and as a traditional medicine for treating male infertility. Recently, a chemical compound isolated from TTL called protodioscin has been identified, purified and standardized as a phytochemical agent. In a multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, protodioscin proved to be an effective form of treatment for male infertility.

It is known that sufficient dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the epididymis is necessary for the maturation process of spermatozoa. Furthermore, it has been speculated that in some idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, male infertility is due to the low concentration of DHEA in the epididymis. In another clinical trial protodioscin is proved to increase the serum DHEA level of infertile men, without any change in the level of testosterone and other androgens. It is also shown that liver and kidney functions do not change significantly by protodioscin. The study concludes that protodioscin in TTL could be the precursor of DHEA in patients with low serum level of this hormone. As TTL has been known for its aphrodisiac quality, speculations have been made that its mechanism of action involves the conversion of protodioscin to DHEA. In turn, DHEA may increase cell membrane integrity and functions (3,4), thereby resulting in better sexual performance and the general feeling of well-being.