Investigation on the toxic potential of Tribulus terrestris in vitro. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abudayyak, M.; Jannuzzi, A. T.; Özhan, G.; Alpertunga, B.
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 53:Number 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 469
• Page End: 476
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.924019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: <italic>Tribulus terrestris</italic> L. (Zygophyllaceae) has been commonly used to energize, vitalize, and improve sexual function and physical performance in men.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: This study investigates the potential cytotoxic and genotoxic, and endocrine disrupting activities of <italic>T. terrestris in vitro.</italic></p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: The whole <italic>T. terrestris</italic> plant was extracted with water, methanol, and chloroform. The genotoxic potential of <italic>T. terrestris</italic> extracts at 3–2400 µg/mL was assessed by Comet assay in a rat kidney cell line (NRK-52E) and by Ames assay in <italic>Salmonella typhimurium</italic> TA98 and TA100 strains. Endocrine disrupting effects of the extracts at concentrations of 0.22–25 000 µg/mL were assessed by YES/YAS assay in <italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</italic>. Cytotoxic activity of the extracts was determined by the MTT test in NRK-52E cells. The different exposure times were used for four tests (3–48 h).</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: The methanol extract of <italic>T. terrestris</italic> IC<sub>50</sub> value was 160 µg/mL. The other extracts did not show cytotoxic effects. In the Comet and Ames genotoxicity assays, none of the extracts possessed genotoxic activities at concentrations of 0–2400 µg/mL. Only the water extract of <italic>T. terrestris</italic> induced frame shift mutations after metabolic activation. The water extract also showed estrogenic activity by YES/YAS assay in <italic>S. cerevisiae</italic> at concentrations ≥27 µg/mL (≥2.6-fold), while the other <italic>T. terrestris</italic> extracts had anti-estrogenic properties.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic>: <italic>Tribulus terrestris</italic> had estrogenic and genotoxic activities. The study was useful in determining its toxicological effects and the precautions regarding consumption.</p> </abstract>