A study of Tribulus terrestris extract on risk factors for urinary stone in normal subjects and urolithic patients

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Tribulus terrestis extract on urinary risk factors in normal subjects and urolithic patients. Twenty five urolithic patients and 18 normal subjects were selected and administered once daily with 10 mL of T. terrestris extract for one week. Serum, urine collected between 10 pm and 6 am, and 24 h urine samples were analysed for urinary risk factors for stone formation on day 0 and day 8 after administration of the extract. In urolithic patients the mean serum calcium level increased significantly and the mean urinary calcium level decreased significantly after treatment for one week with T terrestris extract. The mean uric acid level of the urolithic patients decreased significantly in serum and urine after treatment with T terrestris extract. The mean citrate, oxalate, proteins and glycosaminoglycan levels decreased significantly in urine collected between 10 pm and 6 am, and 24 h urine samples of the urolithic patients after treatment with the extract. Urine volume and phosphate level in serum were not altered significantly in the urolithic patients. Hence T. terrestris extract may be useful in the treatment of urolithiasis.