Abstract

DIURETIC AND LITHOTRIPTIC POTENTIAL OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS (KHAR KHASAK) LINN.-A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Taufiq Ahmad* and Nizamul Haque

ABSTRACT

Tribulus terrestris (family Zygophyllaceae), commonly known as Gokharu or puncture vine, has been used for a long time in both the Indian and Chinese systems of medicine for treatment of various kinds of diseases. Its various parts contain a variety of chemical constituents which are medicinally important, such as Chlorogenin, Tribuloside, Trigogenin and Harmine. Whole plant and seeds are used as traditional herbal medicine to treat various ailments such as diuretic, antiurolithic, aphrodisiac, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, absorption enhancing, hypolipidemic, cardiotonic, central nervous system, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, anticancer, antibacterial, antihelmintic, larvicidal, and anticariogenic activities. The review highlights only the diuretic and litho-triptic activity, which are mentioned in classical Unani literature.

Keywords: Tribulus terrestris, Unani medicine, Diuretic, Lithotriptic.