**Tribulus(Protodioscin) Increases LH/Testosterone**

[TheSupremeBeing]

Let's get the facts straight...

Tribulus PLANT will NOT increase Testosterone levels. However, a STANDARDIZED Tribulus Extract containing at least 10% Protodioscin will most definitely increase testosterone production.

Bulgarian Tribulus has been used to effectively increase testosterone levels for decades. In fact, the pharmaceutical company called "Sopharma Bulgaria" launched a huge research project into the herb ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO, and as a consequence of these studies, brought the very first high-grade effective Tribulus preparation to the PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY(and later the supplement market), called "Tribestan". These studies found that Tribulus' active components are steroidal saponins of the furostanol type, isolated from the epigeous part of the Tribulus terrestris L. plant. Therefore, Tribestan was standardized on a base of the predominating compound, protodioscin.

Here are the studies from Sopharma that demonstrate Tribulus(Protodioscin) Increases Testosterone:



TRIBESTAN EFFECT ON THE CONCENTRATION OF SOME HORMONES IN THE SERUM OF HEALTHY SUBJECTS

S. Milanov, A. Maleeva, M. Taskov

RIRR - Radioisotope and Radioimmunological Laboratory, Sofia

Chemical Pharmaceutical Research Institute,
Sofia, Bulgaria

SUMMARY

Tribestan effect has been studied on the serum concentration of hypophyseal hormones, of ACTH, STH, LH, FSH, adrenal hormone aldosterone and cortisol and sex hormones - testosterone and estradiol. The experiments have been carried out on 8 males and 8 females, aged 28 - 45 years of age. The product was perorally administered in a single dose of 250 mg, three times daily for 5 days. Serum samples were withdrawn at 8 a.m. and 12 a.m., prior to and post treatment. The product has been established not to change essentially the concentrations of adrenal hormones and of ACTH. The hypophyseal-gonadal axis however has significantly been affected in the females with predominantly increased concentration of FSH and estradiol and in the males - mainly of LH and the testosterone. The mechanism of that action is presumed to be complicated and realized both by direct effect on gonadal apparatus and by the tropic hormones.
The probable established changes in the concentration of the hormones studied do not get out of the frames of the physiological limits.

The lyophilized extract of Tribulus terrestris, introduced in veterinary practice as TB-68, has pronounced sex-stimulating function. The initial studies of this product showed that it stimulates the spermatogenesis of albino rats (Vankov S., et al., 1973) and enhanced the ovulation of female rats (Vankov S. et al. 1973). Zarkova S. (1976) has also established in rats an increased number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes as well as increase of neutral mucopolysaccharides in seminiferous tubules of the testes. Gendzhev Z. and S. Zarkova, in other experiments (1978) proved the increase of spermatic reserve in the epididymis of rats.

With the view to the need of human medicine of a product stimulating sexual function, Tribestan was formulated on the base of the indicated phytochemical product. It contains saponins of furostanol type (Tomova M. et al., 1978). The first studies of Tribestan confirmed its high sex-stimulating activity in experimental animals (Zarkova S., 1981). Later, the clinical studies established a similar stimulating effect in humans as well (Protich M. at al. 1981). The present study was carried out with a view to throwing light on some aspects of the mechanism of that action of Tribestan, aiming at attaining an effect from the product on the serum concentration of some hypophyseal, sexual and adrenal hormones.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiments were performed on 16 subjects (8 females and 8 males), aged 28-45. All subjects were in good health, without any complaints and good capacity for work. The following schedule was used:
1. The basic levels of hypophysiotropic hormones (ACTH, STH, LH, FSH), of sexual hormones (testosterone and estradiol) and of adrenal hormones (aldosterone and cortisol) were determined. They were determined twice, at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. - one day prior to Tribestan treatment.
2. The treatment with the product was initiated on the following day, which was periodically administered, 250 mg, three times daily for 5 days.
3. After the termination of Tribestan treatment (day sixth after the initiation of the experiment), blood was again withdrawn (at the same hour - 8:00 a.m. and 12 p.m.) for the determination of the concentration of the indicated hormones.

The work proceeded in the following way: after centrifugation of 6 - 8 ml blood, the serum obtained was frozen at 20?C till the day of the determination of hormonal concentration. The determination was performed by radioimmune tests. LH and FSH were determined by the modified method of Midgley A.R., (1967), making use of some kits of Biodata company, Italy and ACTH and STH - according to the method of Berson S.A. and R. S. Yalow (1963). Testosterone was evaluated by the method of William R. H. (1968), and of estradiol by Orezyk G.P. et al. (1974), making use of kits of Sorin Company, Belgium for both hormones. The adrenal hormones cortisol and aldosterone were also determined by kits of that company, making use of Vescei P. (1974) and of William G and R. Hunderwood (1974).

The obtained results were statistically processed by variation analysis, by Student - t test.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

As could be seen from Table 1, LH level in the males was elevated with a high significance after the treatment (p < 0.001). The changes affected both samples to the same rate (at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.). FSH concentration was not affected under the same conditions. The other two hypophyseal hormones, ACTH and STH were not changed.

An insignificant tendency to elevation was observed in STH level (mean values - 2.9 prior to and 3.2 mg/ml post treatment) in some of the cases. The level of sex hormones was strongly affected. Thus testosterone concentration was three-fold (2) increased and that of estradiol - about 1.5 times (Table 1).

Table 1
Hormone Prior to Tribestan
Post Tribestan

8 a.m.
12 p.m.
8 a.m.
12 p.m.

LH, mIU/ml X 13.0 14.38(1) 37.25 24.75
SX 0.64 0.73 1.01 0.79
Pt 0.001 0.001
FSH, mIU/ml X 13.38 13.50 13.38 11.38
SX 0.35 0.28 0.35 0.36
Pt >0.5 >0.5
Testosterone, ng % X 628 610 882 845
SX 48 46 35 32
Pt <0.001 <0.001
Estradiol pg/ml X 79 76 133 137.5
SX 3.46 2.24 6.72 5.86
Pt <0.001 <0.001

LH concentration was also increased in females under Tribestan effect. What impressed was that the significance was lower than the first sample. The greatest discrepancy, as compared with the results of the males, was the sharp stimulation of FSH. A strong effect was observed there, which could be explained by blood withdrawal during the early phase of the menstrual cycle, the so-called follicular phase. Estradiol was also strongly affected (Pt < 0.001), whereas testosterone in the females during the early hours of the day was less affected (Table 2).

Table 2
Hormone
Prior to Tribestan
Post Tribestan

8 a.m.
12 p.m.
8 a.m.
12 p.m.

LH, mIU/ml X 15.25 13.50 17.13 16.88
SX 0.64 0.87 0.73 0.35
Pt 0.02 0.001
FSH, mIU/ml X 11.00 11.88 17.75 15.25
SX 0.13 0.09 0.71 0.38
Pt 0.001 0.001
Estradiol mIU/ml X 72.13 59.38 77.13 87.50
SX 6.02 5.73 5.47 3.24
Pt 0.5 0.001

The level of adrenal hormone was identically affected both in males and females (Table 3). A significant increase of the concentration was also established though that effect had a relatively low significance (p < 0.05). At the same time, cortisol level was no changed (Table 3).



Table 3
Aldosterone Cortisol
Prior to Post Prior to Post
X 11.59 13.77 8.63 8.63
S 2.52 3.48 2.20 1.92
SX 0.63 0.87 0.55 0.48
Pt 0.05 0.05

The results obtained provided grounds to admit that Tribestan had a pronounced stimulating effect on the secretion of some hormones. The effect on the hormones along the hypophyseal-gonadal axis was particularly well manifested. The effect was manifested both at hypophyseal and gonadal level. Some sexual discrepancies were also established. Thus, FSH was mainly affected in the females. The presence of that hormone is exceptionally important during the follicular phase for the development of the follicle. When its development is stimulated, its secretory ability is also intensified and hence - estradiol level is elevated. Lutenizing hormone is more strongly influenced in the male, which on its part stimulates the secretion of testosterone.

ACTH and cortisol were not changed suggesting that they were not significantly involved in the realization of Tribestan effects. The tendency of stimulation of STH and aldosterone explained the activation of the anabolic processes in the body and general stimulating action of the product. The absence of effect on the level of cortisol showed however that the general tonic action was very strongly manifested.

It should be stressed that the level of the hormones studied did not go out beyond the physiological frames i.e. it did not disturb the physiological mechanisms of hormonal regulation.

References

Vankov S., S. Zarkova, Z. Gendzhev, M. Tomova - Effect of TB-68 on the spermatogenesis in albino rats. Proceeding of the Third National Conference of Pharmacology and Clinics of New Bulgarian Drugs, Sofia, November 14-16, 1973, v.2, 161-163.
Vankov S., S. Zarkova, M. Tomova - TB-68 effect on ovulation of albino rats. Proceedings of Third National Conference of Pharmacology and Clinics of New Bulgarian Drugs, Sofia, November 14-16, 1973, v.2, 165-167.
Gendzhev Z., S. Zarkova - Effect of the phyto-pharmaceutical TB-68 on the number of spermatozoa in epididymis of rat. Med. Archive, 1978, N I, 113-118.
Dimova P., M. Taskov - Comparative enzyme-histological studies of some phyto-products. MBI (at the printer's), 1981.
Zarkova S. - Morphological and histological changes in testes of rat under the effect of TB-68, Med. Archive, 1976, N 4, 49-53.
Protich M., D. Zvetanov, V. Nalbanski, R.Stanislavov, M.Kazarova - Clinical trial of Tribestan on infertile males, MBI (at the printer's).
Tomova M., V. Gyulemetova, S. Zarkova - Author's certificate N 77584 A 61 K 35/1978.
Berson S.A., R. S. Yalow - Immunoassay of protein hormones, The Hormones, Vol. V, Acad. Press., New York, 1963.
Midgley A.R. - Radioimmunoassay for Human, J. Clin. Endocr., 1967, 27, 295.
Orezyk, Gaylo P., Burton v. Caldwell, Harold H. Behrmaan - Methods of Hormone Radioimmunoassay - Ed. B. Jaffe, H. Berhmaan, A6. Press, NJ, London, 1974, 333-343.
Vescei P. - Glicocorticoids: Cortisol Corticosterone - Methods of Hormone Radioimmunoassay; Ed. B. Jaffe and H. Behrmaan, Ac. Press, NJ, London 393-412.
William R.H. - Textbook of Endocrinology 4th Edit. Saunder, Philadelphia, 1968.
Williams Gordon H., Richard H. Hunderwood - Methods of Hormon Radioimmunoassay; Ed. B. Jaffe and H. Behrmaan, Ac. Press, NJ, London, 1974, 371-390.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES BELOW ARE NOT PART OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENT

Corrections:

Corrected value to 14.38 where previous value erroneously published was 14.28. (Date of correction 01/16/2002.
Inconsistency in the statement three-fold and table values. Corresponds to English translated document. Needs comparison with original document in Bulgarian language. Further investigation underway.

[MBSowards]

Up early on a Monday morning like me, eh?

[TheSupremeBeing]

The hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris and its role in the management of male erectile dysfunction - an evaluation using primates, rabbit and rat.

Gauthaman K, Ganesan AP.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119074 Singapore.

Hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris (TT) were evaluated in primates, rabbit and rat to identify its usefulness in the management of erectile dysfunction (ED). TT extract was administered intravenously, as a bolus dose of 7.5, 15 and 30mg/kg, in primates for acute study. Rabbits and normal rats were treated with 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg of TT extract orally for 8 weeks, for chronic study. In addition, castrated rats were treated either with testosterone cypionate (10mg/kg, subcutaneously; biweekly for 8 weeks) or TT orally (5mg/kg daily for 8 weeks). Blood samples were analyzed for testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) levels using radioimmunoassay. In primates, the increases in T (52%), DHT (31%) and DHEAS (29%) at 7.5mg/kg were statistically significant. In rabbits, both T and DHT were increased compared to control, however, only the increases in DHT (by 30% and 32% at 5 and 10mg/kg) were statistically significant. In castrated rats, increases in T levels by 51% and 25% were observed with T and TT extract respectively that were statistically significant. TT increases some of the sex hormones, possibly due to the presence of protodioscin in the extract be useful in mild to moderate cases of ED.

[TheSupremeBeing]

Up early on a Monday morning like me, eh?

About to head in to office, doing my morning rounds.

How was your weekend bro?

[MBSowards]

About to head in to office, doing my morning rounds.

How was your weekend bro?

Good, spent it with the GF. Yours?

[sonicology]

Up early on a Monday morning like me, eh?

What better start to the day is there than reading page after page of the same old studies copy and pasted from Pubmed?

[TheSupremeBeing]

Good, spent it with the GF. Yours?

Weekend was great, beautiful weather here in NJ!

How long have you been with your girl?

[TheSupremeBeing]

What better start to the day is there than reading page after page of the same old studies copy and pasted from Pubmed?

I see a BUNCH of people claiming that Tribulus doesn't increase testosterone, when that is not the entire truth. A standardized extract containing at least 10% Protodioscin will increase LH/Testosterone.

[MBSowards]

Weekend was great, beautiful weather here in NJ!

How long have you been with your girl?

2 years today actually.

[TheSupremeBeing]

2 years today actually.

Congrats!!! How did I know that!?!? I am telling you man, sometimes I freak myself out, I seriously KNEW that it was an aniversary!

[jeff3kids]

Your study is NOT peer reviewed, so it means nothing. Its just more snake oil, Barnum and Bailey styled marketing IMO.

Step right up Folks and see the AMAZING test booster, Androgenerator. on sale now, for a limited time only...........

[TheSupremeBeing]

Your study is NOT peer reviewed, so it means nothing. Its just more snake oil, Barnum and Bailey styled marketing IMO.

Step right up Folks and see the AMAZING test booster, Androgenerator. on sale now, for a limited time only...........

Why don't you READ?

Look at the SECOND study, found on PubMed.

[MBSowards]

Congrats!!! How did I know that!?!? I am telling you man, sometimes I freak myself out, I seriously KNEW that it was an aniversary!

Haha, impressive.

Your study is NOT peer reviewed, so it means nothing. Its just more snake oil, Barnum and Bailey styled marketing IMO.

Step right up Folks and see the AMAZING test booster, Androgenerator. on sale now, for a limited time only...........

Snakeoil actually is given a bad name when it could end up having benefits:

http://blog.bodybuilding.com/deserus...il-that-works/

[jeff3kids]

Why don't you READ?

Look at the SECOND study, found on PubMed.

Oh, you mean the one with castrated rats and rabbits as subjects? Your kidding, right?

[jeff3kids]

Haha, impressive.



Snakeoil actually is given a bad name when it could end up having benefits:

http://blog.bodybuilding.com/deserus...il-that-works/

Cool, I won't dis snake oil any more...

[strength77]

I see a BUNCH of people claiming that Tribulus doesn't increase testosterone, when that is not the entire truth. A standardized extract containing at least 10% Protodioscin will increase LH/Testosterone.

I use tribulus and i like it a lot. It is cheap and makes increases my libido

[TheSupremeBeing]

I use tribulus and i like it a lot. It is cheap and makes increases my libido

Well you are one of the more EDUCATED members, we already know that

[VaughnTrue]

i believe tribulus(protodioscin) to be effective at raising total testosterone.




I also believe there are more effective means at increasing testosterone.



Thanks for the studies.

[TheSupremeBeing]

i believe tribulus(protodioscin) to be effective at raising total testosterone.




I also believe there are more effective means at increasing testosterone.



Thanks for the studies.

Solid post.

[jeff3kids]

i believe tribulus(protodioscin) to be effective at raising total testosterone.




I also believe there are more effective means at increasing testosterone.



Thanks for the studies.

OK, I'll concede the possibility protodioscin might increase test in certain men, but there are absolutely better ways to increase test overall. Well put.

[strength77]

I've dont pct without trib and with trib. My pct with trib has always resulted in faster recovery of libido. I don't have tests or studies but i can also tell you that when i take trib my uuhmmmmm,,,, man juice i guess you could say, has a LOT more volume.

No trib isnt going to put 15lbs of mass on you, but its an old school remedy. I have to think from my personal experience that it doing SOMEThing to my test levels, If not then why are my loads much bigger and erections stronger? Its a great healthy supp for any man.

[TheSupremeBeing]

I've dont pct without trib and with trib. My pct with trib has always resulted in faster recovery of libido. I don't have tests or studies but i can also tell you that when i take trib my uuhmmmmm,,,, man juice i guess you could say, has a LOT more volume.

No trib isnt going to put 15lbs of mass on you, but its an old school remedy. I have to think from my personal experience that it doing SOMEThing to my test levels, If not then why are my loads much bigger and erections stronger? Its a great healthy supp for any man.

Amen.

Furthermore, Tribulus extract is just ONE of many powerful testosterone-boosting ingredients found in AndroGenerator.

[jblaze4lif]

Do you guys know anything about Fadogia Agrestis PE .. it basically came for free with my "TNT" stack. I was reading something about increasing cholesterol production in the testes ... the building block for testosterone.

Anything else anyone can add about Fadogia??

[chasinSKURT]

Up early on a Monday morning like me, eh?

You catch Katt Williams on comedy central last night?

[Yates Row T]

You catch Katt Williams on comedy central last night?

**** i wish i saw it, which one pimp chronicles or american hustle. Thats my ****ttttt

[TheSupremeBeing]

Do you guys know anything about Fadogia Agrestis PE .. it basically came for free with my "TNT" stack. I was reading something about increasing cholesterol production in the testes ... the building block for testosterone.

Anything else anyone can add about Fadogia??

Fadogia requires standardization of the actives, the PLANT does nothing; very much like Tribulus.

[jblaze4lif]

Fadogia requires standardization of the actives, the PLANT does nothing; very much like Tribulus.

gotcha....

on the bottle of T-Force it says extracted to contain a full spectrum of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones and flavonoids.

bottle was free cant complain ....

[TheSupremeBeing]

gotcha....

on the bottle of T-Force it says extracted to contain a full spectrum of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones and flavonoids.

bottle was free cant complain ....

Just do a google on "Fadogia" and you will find my article on what I think about T-Force.

Fadogia needs to be standardized for the ACTIVE saponin, not a "full spectrum of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones and flavonoids", which is just evasive language.

[nni]

Just do a google on "Fadogia" and you will find my article on what I think about T-Force.

Fadogia needs to be standardized for the ACTIVE saponin, not a "full spectrum of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones and flavonoids", which is just evasive language.

id rather get my science and supplement facts from the fortune teller machine from the movie "Big." if zoltar is unavailable, then a magic eight ball will do.

[chasinSKURT]

id rather get my science and supplement facts from the fortune teller machine from the movie "Big." if voltaire is unavailable, then a magic eight ball will do.

I'd rather dance on the big piano

hate that movie