Tribulus Terrestris Extract – Saponins

Saponins are a class of chemical compounds,one of many secondary metabolites found in natural sources, with saponins foundin particular abundance in various plant species. More specifically, they areampathic glycosides grouped, in terms of nomenology, by the soap-likefoaming they produce when shaken in aqueous solutions, and, in terms ofstructure, by their composition of one or more hydrolic glycoside moietiescombined with a lipolic triterpene derivative.

Medical uses

Saponinsare being promoted commercially as dietary supplements and nutriceuticals.There is evidence of the presence of saponins in traditional medicinepreparations, where oral administrations might be expected to lead tohydrolysis of glycoside from terpenoid (and obviation of any iated with the intact molecule).

Usein animal feeding

Saponinsare used widely for their effects on ammonia emissions in animal feeding.Themode of action seems to be an inhibition of the urease enzyme, which splits upexcreted urea in feces into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Animal trials haveshown that a reduced ammonia level in farming operations causes less damages tothe respiratory tract of animals, and may help to make them less vulnerable todiseases.