Tribulus Terrestris

Category: adaptogen

Aliases: Puncture vine

Pharmacological Mechanism

Saponin-rich extract (protodioscin standardized). Marketed for testosterone + libido; multiple RCTs show no testosterone effect in men, slight libido improvement in postmenopausal women. Animal studies suggest NO-mediated erectile effect via androgen-independent pathway.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 4h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 750 mg (Range: 250–1500 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• endocrine
• reproductive

Pathways It Modulates

• Adaptogen HPA / cortisol stress modulation (activator) — libido + LH claims (mechanism weak)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 10125785
• Formula: C10H21N3O9
• Molecular weight: 327.29 g/mol
• InChIKey: MUKYLHIZBOASDM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: CN(CC(=O)O)C(=N)N.C(C(C(C(C(C(=O)O)O)O)O)O)O