Sexual Behaviour in Male Healthy Rats: A Comparison Between Indian Tribulus terrestris Linn. Extracts with Protodioscin Standardized Bulgarian Extract

Background: Tribulus terrestris Linn. (TT) is reported for its ability to improve male sexual performance, and protodioscin is responsible for the activity. This study was designed to correlate and compare various extracts of Indian TT with Bulgarian TT, and also the effect of protodioscin content on the activity. Methods: Bulgarian TT extract (BT) and prepared solvent extracts [aqueous (WIT), supercritical fluid (SIT) and methanol (MIT)] of Indian TT were standardized and compared using UV spectrophotometric method. Forty male rats were randomized into 5 groups of 8 each. Group I served as untreated control and group II to V were treated with 100 mg/Kg b.wt. of MIT, WIT, BT and SIT, respectively. The groups received the respective treatment for fourteen days. Sexual behavior of the rats was observed on Day-1&14. Serum testosterone was estimated after the last observation. Results: It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the treatment groups. However, based on the mean values/ranking analysis of all the parameters, the order of potency was WIT > SIT ≥ BT > MIT. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the aqueous extract of Indian TT which contains lesser protodioscin showed comparatively better sex stimulant activity in comparison to the other tested extracts.