The Protective Effect of Tribulus terrestris in Diabetes

Abstract

Tribulus terrestris L (TT) is used in the Arabic folk medicine to treat various diseases. The aim of this article was to investigate the protective effects of TT in diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetes is known to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) level that subsequently contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes. Rats were divided into six groups and treated with either saline, glibenclamide (Glib), or TT for 30 days. Rats in group 1 were given saline after the onset of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes; the second diabetic group was administered Glib (10 mg/kg body weight). The third diabetic group was treated with the TT extract (2 g/kg body weight), while the first, second, and third nondiabetic groups were treated with saline solution, Glib, and TT extract, respectively. At the end of the experiment, serum and liver samples were collected for biochemical and morphological analysis. Levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine were estimated. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were assayed in the liver. The tested TT extract significantly decreased the levels of ALT and creatinine in the serum (P < 0.05) in diabetic groups and lowered the MDA level in liver (P < 0.05) in diabetic and (P < 0.01) nondiabetic groups. On the other hand, levels of reduced GSH in liver were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in diabetic rats treated with TT. Histopathological examination revealed significant recovery of liver in herb-treated rats. This investigation suggests that the protective effect of TT for STZ-induced diabetic rats may be mediated by inhibiting oxidative stress.

Effect of the Aquatic Extract of Stevia on the Serum Level of Interleukin-6 in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide Induced Diabetic Rats

“…Due to the heterogeneous nature of this disease, there is an urgent need to find effective and appropriate therapies. Recently, researchers have shown that herbal remedies can help improve diabetic complications (26). There are several well-known plants with hypoglycemic effects, such as Teucrium polium, Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon), Psacalium peltatum, and Cucurbita ficifolia (27)(28)(29).…”

Anti-hyperglycaemic Activity of <i>Tribulus terrestris</i> L Aerial Part Extract in Glucose-loaded Normal Rabbits

“…Saponin from T. terrestris reported to possess hypoglycemic properties and produced protective effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by inhibiting oxidative stress [23]. Some of the main active compounds of T. terrestris identified and purified include: steroidal furostanol and spirostanol saponins -protodioscin, terrestrinins A and B, gitogenin, hecogenin, diosgenin and others [22].…”

Tribulus Terrestris: An Ayurvedic Herb With Phytochemical Booster

“…Hence this protective effect of T. terrestris can be used for the treatment of angina pectoris and cardiac diseases and the level of ROS (reactive oxygen specie) can be inhibited. [17] Li M et al, 2001 extracted saponins from T. terrestris as they possess hypoglycemic properties and examined on mice. On treatment with T. terrestris though reduced the level of serum glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol but increased the serum superoxide dismutase level that contributed to the pathogenesis of diabetes.…”