Action Root—antipyretic, analgesic, spasmolytic, deobstruent, cathartic, anti-inflammatory.
Leaves—diuretic; used in oedema and dropsy. A decoction of the herb is used as an antidote to alcoholic poison.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the dried root in diseases of the liver and spleen, anaemia and oedema.
Ethanolic extract of the aerial parts exhibited hepatoprotective activity in CC14-induced intoxication in rats. The acetone-insoluble fraction of the extract is responsible for the activity.
The red and white flowers contain an aLkaloid trianthemine, also punaranavine. The plant also gave ecdysterone (0.01 g!kg), a potential chemosterilant; nicotinic acid and ascorbic acid. The plant is rich in phosphorus and iron but poor in calcium.
The high content of oxalate affects the assimilation of calcium. Carotene (2.3 mg!100 g) has also been reported.
Trianthema sp. are used as adulterant of the roots of Boerhavia dffusa.
Dosage Root—2—5 gpowder. (API, Vol. IV.)
Tribulus alatus Delile.
Family Zygophyllaceae.
Habitat Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana.
English Winged Caltrops.
Ayurvedic Gokshura (related species).
Unani Gokharu-kalaan.
Folk Desi Gokharu, Aakharaa., Hasaka.
Action Fruits—diuretic, antiinflammatory, emmenagogue. Used for uterine and genitourinary disorders.
Seed—astringent, diuretic; given to women to ensure fecundity.
The fruit gave sterols—stigmasterol, campesterol and beta- sitosterol; flavonoids—luteolin, kaempferol-3-gluco- side and rutin; sapogenins—diosgeni gitogenin and chlorogenin. Root, stems, leaves and seeds contain sapogenins—diosgenin, gitogenin and chlorogenin; sterols—beta- sitosterol and stigmasterol.
Tribulus terrestris Linn.
Family Zygophyllaceae.
Habitat Throughout India, up to 5,400 m.
English Land-Caltrops, Puncture Vine.
Ayurvedic Gokshura, Gokshuraka, Kshudra (Laghu) Gokharu, Shvadamshtraa, Swaadu-kantaka, Trikanta, Trikantaka. (Larger var. is equated with Pedalium murex Linn. The fruits of both the varieties
