Effect of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on the organism of rats fed a high-fat diet
Abstract
Recently, the global community has turned its attention to the use of antioxidant-rich herbs. Researchers have also looked i n to using them to develop natural antioxidant formulas in the fields of medicine and nutrition. In particular, they ha ve been studied for their potential to treat or correct metabolic disorders caused by an unbalanced diet. Tribulus terrestris is rich in secondary metabolites and is known for its antitumor, antilithic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It has also been used for a long time to treat sexual dysfunction. In a laboratory study, 20 adult male rats were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 0.5% or 2.0% dry T. terrestris herb for 32 days. The rats' weight gain, internal organ mass, and indicators of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and mineral metabolism and blood enzyme activity were observed. The body weight of the animals that received a high-fat diet increased to 105.7% of the initial weight by the end of the experiment. The addition of T. terrestris herb to the diet at a dose of 0.5% did not affect the rate of body weight gain, while a dose of 2.0% contributed to an increase in body weight gain (up to 107.4%). Tribulus terrestris did not significantly alter feed intake or water consumption. A high-fat diet supplemented with T. terrestris caused a dose-dependent increase in liver weight; the 2.0% dose significantly increased the relative weight of the testicles and stomach. Both doses of the T. terrestris herb significantly reduced blood glucose levels. The 2.0% dose increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and inorganic phosphorus levels while decreasing the Ca/P ratio. Depending on the dose, T. terrestris herb had a mixed effect on creatinine levels, causing either a decrease at 0.5% or an increase at 2.0%. AST and ALT activity was sharply increased by a 2.0% dose of T. terrestris herb. These results suggest the potential use of T. terrestris as a dietary supplement for correcting metabolic disorders in an unbalanced diet.References
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