Khar-e-khasak (Tribulus terrestris): An Unani medicine in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A narrative review

Abstract

Tribulus terrestris referred to as Khar-e-khasak in Unani Medicine and Gokshura, Gokharu in Ayurveda, or puncture vine in English, has long been utilized in Unani, Indian and Chinese medical systems to cure a variety of illnesses. Its many portions include a range of chemical components that are crucial for medicine, including alkaloids, steroidal saponins, flavonoids, and flavonol glycosides. It has a variety of beneficial effects on the body, including diuretic (Mudirr-e-Baul), Aphrodisiac (Muqavi-e-Baah), Antiurolithic (Mufattit & Mukhrij-e-Hasat), Immune modulatory, Antidiabetic, Hypolipidaemic, Cardio tonic (Muqavi-e-Qalb), Anti-inflammatory (Mohallil-e-Waram), Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Antibacterial, and Anthelmintic properties. Extensive study has been conducted in the last few decades to demonstrate its biological activities and the pharmacology of its extracts. The purpose of this review is to provide a database for future research in Unani Medicine on the plant's revealed phytochemical and pharmacological qualities.