THE ROLE OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS ON MALE INFERTILITY BASED ON CLINICAL TRIALS PERSPECTIVE: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Authors

  • Suzana Dona Faculty of Medical, Universitas Gunadarma, Depok, Indonesia
  • Kintoko Kintoko Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  • Bachri Mochammad Saiful Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36423/pharmacoscript.v8i2.2171

Keywords:

Clinical Trials, Herbal Medicine, Male infertiliy, Sperm Quality, Tribulus Terrestris

Abstract

Tribulus terrestris is a widely recognized herb with potential applications in healthcare. Male factor infertility, often stemming from testicular disorders, is frequently linked to inadequate sperm quantity and quality. While botanical products, including herbal medicines, have shown both positive and negative effects on male fertility and testicular function in the literature, this narrative review specifically aimed to identify clinical trials investigating the potential benefits of Tribulus terrestris in reducing male infertility and enhancing semen and hormonal parameters. A literature review methodology was employed, utilizing Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane databases to gather full-text accessible published works from 2013 to 2022. Initially, 28 studies were identified; 24 were excluded, leaving three for full-text evaluation. Ultimately, three articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Based on the reviewed articles, Tribulus terrestris extract appears to influence the quantity and quality of spermatozoa, as well as reproductive hormone levels. Two articles reported a significant increase in sperm parameters and hormone levels. However, one article indicated no meaningful correlation between Tribulus terrestris use and an increase in testosterone levels. Further data are needed to definitively determine the efficacy of Tribulus terrestris as an infertility treatment.

References

Ahmad, S. S., & Al-Murshidi, S. Y. (2022). Evaluation of the level of antisperm antibodies, some cytokines, and zinc for oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia patients compared with normozoospermia. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6, 5324–5331. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6ns6.10907

Akhtari, E., Raisi, F., Keshavarz, M., Hosseini, H., Sohrabvand, F., Bioos, S., Kamalinejad, M., & Ghobadi, A. (2014). Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Daru: Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 22(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/2008-2231-22-40

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Published

2025-08-31

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025): Pharmacoscript

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Suzana Dona, Kintoko Kintoko, Bachri Mochammad Saiful

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