Home > News > What’s the differences between Saponins and protodioscin when we talk about Tribulus terrestris extract?
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Before we come to the differences, let’s know first what tribulus terresstris is. Tribulus terrestris,according to wikipedia, is a herb that has been used in the traditional medicine of China and India for centuries. It is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and Australia. It can thrive even in desert climates and poor soil. Tribulus terrestris has many other names, such as puncture vine, isIn the mid-1990s, tribulus terrestris became known in North America after Eastern European Olympic athletes said that taking tribulus helped their performance.

 

Many of our clients are confused with saponins and protodioscin when choosing tribulus terrestris extract supplement since they are so many specifications out there for tribulus. Over 6,000 companies worldwide are selling Tribulus right now, but the number of companies that really know how to make Tribulus can be counted with the number of fingers on one hand. Over recent years the consumer has been confused with various brands offering protodioscincontent between 50% and 90%.  The consumer automatically gets attracted to these high percentages but does not understand the ingredients.

 

The truth is there are various active ingredients in Tribulus Terrestris called saponins.  Saponins contain only a handful of active ingredients.  Included inthese Saponins are protodioscin and protogracillin together with other key active ingredients, protodioscin being the main active ingredient.

Many companies do not differentiate between saponins and protodioscin.  The level of protodioscin can not go over 45%, but saponins can.  In order for companies to sell more of their products they write 80%-90%of protodioscin but what is advertised is the percentage of saponins.  You will have noticed that many tribulus products have been took of the world market since 2011 due to these false claims!

Composition of tribulus terrestris

Tribulus terretris is composed of a large number of active elements including steroidal  saponins,such as dioscin, diosgenin, and protodioscin. These elements are behind the plant’s well-known beneficial effects on the libido, on fitness and on the bodybuilding of muscle mass(natural anabolic). Tribulus also contains phytosterols:especially the beta-sitosterols that act on the different problems associated with the prostate,uirnary and cardiovascular systems.

Below are the main benefits of Tribulus terretris

 Enhances Sexual Function

Tribulus terrestris has been used in traditional medicine to treat sexual dysfunctions, such as impotence and low libido. Mixtures of different compounds found in the fruits, stems and roots of tribulus terrestris provide its medicinal properties. According to the EmedTV website, early research suggests that tribulus terrestris may increase the levels of hormones such as tetstosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, in rats. Based on these results, this herb is used by individuals assuming it will increase their hormone levels and improve their sexual functions.

Increases Muscle Mass

Tribulus terrestris increases testosterone levels, which helps to increase muscle mass. According to the Physicians' Select website, studies reveal an increase in testosterone levels when tribulus terrestris is taken. The rise in testosterone level reduces the time for the muscles to recover, and enhances protein synthesis, or the process that living cells manufacture proteins from their constituent amino acids, based on the genetic information carried in the DNA of the chromosomes. It also promotes positive nitrogen balance. The combination of these actions all help to strengthen and increase muscle mass.

Improves Sperm Motility

Sperm motility and the ability of a sperm to penetrate the female egg, as well as the volume and concentration of the sperm, play significant roles in fertilizing the female egg. A double blind study done by L.Setiawan Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia, 1996, investigated the effects of tribulus terrestris on men wtith oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, a common cause of male subfertility. The trial consisted of 30 primary and secondary infertile men. Fifty percent of the men took oral tribulus, or Libilov, 500mg three times per day for 60 days, and the others had sugar pills. Their parameter data was assessed before and after treatment. The conclusion showed that Tibullus terrestris L, given at a dose of 500mg three times daily for 30 days, proved to be effective in restoring sperm functions like motility and acrosome reactions, or when the red receptors on the sperm come in contact with the egg jelly yellow.

Nutragreen Biotechnology Co., Ltd, a brand of Shanghai Lvshang Biotech Co., Ltd, is a GMP compliant and FDA registered manufacturer and supplier of raw materials of plant extracts, botanicals, herbs, especially Tradtional Chinese herbs. Tribulus terrestris is one of our most competitive ingredients with various specifications and stocks available all year round. You may leave a message below for more detailed information.