The content of saponins (such as protodiosgenin), the primary active ingredient of Tribulus Terrestris Extract, can reach 40%-60%. It increased male serum free testosterone levels by 24.3% by upregulating the secretion of LH (luteinizing hormone) (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2023, n=98 sample size). Clinical trials demonstrated that when used at 750 mg of extract daily for 8 weeks, the vertical bounce height of athletes increased by 5.7 cm (+9.2%), anaerobic exercise endurance (Wingate test) by 18%, and muscle lactic acid clearance rate by 32%. In women’s health, the extract reduced the frequency of hot flashes in perimenopausal patients by 44%, improved sleep quality index (PSQI) by 29%, and increased bone mineral density T value by 0.12 (decreased by 0.05 in the control group) by modulating DHEA-S levels. Additionally, its content of 3.2 mg/g flavonoid (e.g., quercetin) inhibited angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity by 58%, and systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients decreased on average by 11.6 mmHg (double-blind trial, 2022).
In the production process, under the pressure of 30 MPa and 55℃ temperature, supercritical CO2 extraction can increase the extraction rate of total saponins to 85%, and the residual solvent is less than 0.1 ppm, which meets the FDA GRAS certification standard. In 2023, Bulgarian enterprise used ultrasonic assisted dynamic counter-current chromatography technology to reduce the production cycle from 72 hours to 24 hours, reduce the unit cost by 42%, and the export price of Tribulus Terrestris Extract per kilogram was $350 (gross margin of 72%). According to Mordor Intelligence statistics, the global market size of Tribulus terrestris extract expanded from $210 million in 2020 to $430 million in 2023, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.8%, with sports nutrition consumption accounting for 54%, Amazon user review analysis shows, 86% of consumers believe it has “fewer side effects than synthetic testosterone precursors,” with a repeat purchase rate of 65%.
In the application innovation space, a pre-exercise powder developed by a sports brand containing 500 mg of Tribulus terrestris extract has been clinically shown to increase peak blood flow (Doppler ultrasound) by 37% 45 minutes after ingestion and reduce creatine kinase (CK) levels by 29% 24 hours after exercise. A women’s health capsule (300 mg extract + soy isoflavones) launched by a South Korean company in 2022 reduced the Kupperman index of menopausal patients by 43%, which was better than 35% of single hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In cosmetics, 1.8% Tribulus Terrestris Extract serum demonstrated a 23% collagen density enhancement in the skin and 34% in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) value after 28 days of use, with ECOCERT certified organic data. Agricultural applications have also been improved: in 2023, an Australian trial showed that the addition of 0.05% extract to feed increased beef cattle daily weight gain by 14% and reduced feed to meat ratio by 9%.
Safety testing has shown that Tribulus Terrestris Extract acute oral toxicity is LD50>5000 mg/kg (rat), and the maximum daily intake authorized by the European Union EMA is 15 mg/kg body weight. According to 2023 global sampling data, the qualified rate of commercial products’ saponin content deviation is 93.2% in the scope of ±8%, and the main risk is aflatoxin B1 exceeding the standard (accounting for 57% of unqualified samples). Supply chain digitization has dramatically improved quality: The India plant uses near-infrared spectroscopy to monitor saponin content in real time, reduces batch-to-batch active ingredient variability from ±15% to ±5%, and reduces transport losses from 18% to 3.5% through blockchain traceability. Frost & Sullivan estimates that the market for functional foods containing Tribulus Terrestris Extract will reach $2.9 billion by 2028, confirming its strategic value as a cross-industry energizer.