What is Tribulus terrestris, and why is it being studied in relation to chemotherapy?

Tribulus terrestris (TT) is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine. Research suggests it might have protective qualities against the toxic side effects of certain chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin. This is significant because chemotherapy, while effective against cancer, can also harm healthy cells.

What is Cisplatin and why is it important to explore ways to reduce its toxicity?

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug used to treat various cancers, including lung, ovarian, head, neck, and gastric cancers. However, it can cause significant side effects by damaging healthy tissues. Researchers are exploring ways to mitigate these harmful effects, such as using natural supplements like Tribulus terrestris.

What is apoptosis, and how is it relevant to chemotherapy and the use of Tribulus terrestris?

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a natural process in the body. However, chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin can cause excessive apoptosis in healthy cells, leading to harmful side effects. Studies explore how substances like Tribulus terrestris can help regulate apoptosis to protect healthy cells during chemotherapy.

What are p53, Bax, and Bcl-2, and why were they analyzed in the study?

The study examined the expression of specific genes related to apoptosis, namely p53, Bax, and Bcl-2. P53 is a tumor suppressor gene, Bax is a pro-apoptotic protein that promotes cell death, and Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein that inhibits cell death. The balance between these genes is crucial for cell survival, and chemotherapy drugs can disrupt this balance.

What is RT-PCR, and why was it used in the study involving Tribulus terrestris and cisplatin?

RT-PCR, or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, is a laboratory technique used to measure the expression of specific genes. In this context, researchers used RT-PCR to analyze how cisplatin and Tribulus terrestris affected the expression of apoptosis-related genes (p53, Bax, and Bcl-2) in the testes of mice.

Tribulus Terrestris shielding DNA from chemotherapy.

Can Tribulus Terrestris Protect Against Chemotherapy's Harsh Effects?

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring a natural supplement for minimizing cisplatin-induced damage"

Chemotherapy, while life-saving, often brings a host of unwelcome side effects. Cisplatin, a widely used chemotherapy drug, is known for its effectiveness in treating various cancers, including lung, ovarian, head, neck, and gastric cancers. However, its potent action isn't without consequences. The drug's toxicity can impact healthy tissues, leading researchers to explore ways to mitigate these harmful effects.

One promising avenue involves the use of herbal remedies and their active compounds. These natural sources have long been recognized for their medicinal properties, offering potential protection against the toxic effects of various treatments. Among these, Tribulus terrestris (TT), a plant with a rich history in traditional medicine, has garnered attention for its potential protective qualities.

A recent study has investigated the protective effects of Tribulus terrestris extract against cisplatin-induced damage, specifically focusing on germ cell apoptosis (programmed cell death) in male mice. This research delves into how TT might counteract the harmful impact of cisplatin on these vital cells, offering a potential strategy to reduce the severity of chemotherapy's side effects.

How Tribulus Terrestris Could Shield Against Cisplatin's Toxicity

Tribulus Terrestris shielding DNA from chemotherapy.

The study, published in the International Journal of Morphology, explored whether Tribulus terrestris (TT) could protect against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in the germ cells of male mice. The researchers administered cisplatin, a common chemotherapy drug, to a group of mice and then introduced different concentrations of TT to see if it could mitigate the harmful effects.

The researchers used reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyze the expression of apoptosis-related genes in the testes of the mice. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a natural process, but chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin can cause excessive and harmful apoptosis in healthy cells.

The study focused on key genes involved in apoptosis:

p53: A tumor suppressor gene that activates in response to DNA damage.
Bax: A pro-apoptotic protein that promotes cell death.
Bcl-2: An anti-apoptotic protein that inhibits cell death.

The results showed that cisplatin significantly increased the expression of p53 and Bax while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2. This imbalance promotes apoptosis. However, when Tribulus terrestris was introduced, it helped to counteract these effects, suggesting a protective role against cisplatin-induced germ cell apoptosis.

A Promising Natural Ally?

While these findings are encouraging, it's important to remember that this study was conducted on mice. More research is needed to determine whether Tribulus terrestris has the same protective effects in humans undergoing chemotherapy. However, the results suggest that TT could potentially be a valuable addition to conventional cancer treatments, helping to reduce the severity of side effects and improve the quality of life for patients.