Effects of Tribulus terrestris L. on Sport and Health Biomarkers in Physically Active Adult Males: A Systematic Review

Diego Fernández-Lázaro, Cesar I. Fernandez-Lazaro, Jesús Seco-Calvo, Evelina Garrosa, David P. Adams and Juan Mielgo-Ayuso
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Diego Fernández-Lázaro: Department of Cellular Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Valladolid, Campus of Soria, 42003 Soria, Spain
Cesar I. Fernandez-Lazaro: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
Jesús Seco-Calvo: Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Physiotherapy Department, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana, 24071 Leon, Spain
Evelina Garrosa: Department of Cellular Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, and Institute of Neurosciences of Castile and Leon (INCYL), University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
David P. Adams: Dual Credit Enrollment Program, Point University, Savannah, GA 31419, USA
Juan Mielgo-Ayuso: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: Tribulus terrestris L. ( TT ) is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and sports nutrition to improve health and performance. However, no conclusive evidence exists about the potential beneficial effects of TT on sport and health biomarkers in physically active adults. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and the modified McMaster Critical Review Form for methodological quality assessment, we systematically reviewed studies indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, to assess the effects of TT on immunological, hematological, biochemical, renal, lipidic, hormonal behavior, and anti-inflammatory response in physically active adult males. Among 340 records identified in the search, a total of 7 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Overall, participants supplemented with TT displayed significant improvements in lipid profile. Inflammatory and hematological biomarkers showed moderate beneficial effects with no significant changes on renal biomarkers. No positive effects were observed on the immune system response. Additionally, no TT -induced toxicity was reported. In conclusion, there was no clear evidence of the beneficial effects of TT supplementation on muscle damage markers and hormonal behavior. More studies are needed to confirm the benefits of TT due to the limited number of studies available in the current literature.

Keywords: Tribulus terrestris; sport supplement; biomarkers; physically active adults; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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