Khar-e-Khasak-khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) commonly known as Gokharu, is used for a long time for treatment of various diseases. Considerable literature is available in Unani system of medicine regarding the medicinal properties of Khar-e-khasak-khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn.). Its various parts contain a variety of chemical constituents which are pharmacologically active, such as Harmine, Chlorogenin, Tribuloside, Trigogenin. Whole plant and seeds are used as traditional herbal medicine and having properties such as diuretic, aphrodisiac, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, absorption enhancing, hypolipidemic, cardiotonic, hepatoprotective, antiurolithic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and antibacterial. In the present review, an attempt has been made to cover the major pharmacological actions as well therapeutic uses of Khar-e-khasak-khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) mentioned in Unani system of medicine.
Keyword: Tribulus terrestris Linn. Unani Medicine, Khar-e- Khasak Khurd, Pharmacological Actions

Khan, Asim Ali

Khan, Qamar Alam

Parveen, Shagufta

Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics (JDDT)

Khan et al                                                                                                              Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics. 2019; 9(3-s):847-850 ISSN: 2250-1177                                                                                  [847]                                                                                      CODEN (USA): JDDTAO Available online on 15.06.2019 at http://jddtonline.info Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics Open Access to Pharmaceutical and Medical Research © 2011-18, publisher and licensee JDDT, This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited Open  Access                                                                                                                                                           Review Article Medicinal efficacy of Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn)  Qamar Alam Khan1, Asim Ali Khan2, Shagufta Parveen3* 1. Clinical Registrar, Majeedia Unani Hospital, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India 2. Director General, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi, India  3. Research Associate, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi, India   ABSTRACT Khar-e-Khasak-khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) commonly known as Gokharu, is used for a long time for treatment of various diseases. Considerable literature is available in Unani system of medicine regarding the medicinal properties of Khar-e-khasak-khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn.). Its various parts contain a variety of chemical constituents which are pharmacologically active, such as Harmine, Chlorogenin, Tribuloside, Trigogenin. Whole plant and seeds are used as traditional herbal medicine and having properties such as diuretic, aphrodisiac, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, absorption enhancing, hypolipidemic, cardiotonic, hepatoprotective,  antiurolithic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and antibacterial. In the present review, an attempt has been made to cover the major pharmacological actions as well therapeutic uses of Khar-e-khasak-khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) mentioned in Unani system of medicine. Keyword: Tribulus terrestris Linn. Unani Medicine, Khar-e- Khasak Khurd, Pharmacological Actions.  Article Info: Received 17 April 2019;    Review Completed 23 May 2019;    Accepted 27 May 2019;    Available online 15 June 2019 Cite this article as: Khan QA, Khan AA, Parveen S, Medicinal efficacy of Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn), Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 2019; 9(3-s):847-850  http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v9i3-s.2977     *Address for Correspondence:  Dr. Shagufta Parveen, Research Associate, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi   Introduction  Khar-e-khasak-khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn) is a common medicinal plant, grows near the Dardanelles and was known to the old Greek Physicians. As far as nomenclature is concerned, some Unani physician named it as “Akhrasul-Ajooj” which means Molar tooth of old lady because of its resemblance with the same. Another synonym given by ancient Unani scholars is “Hastchinghar’’ which is given because of cry of elephant due to its prick.. 1, 2,3,4,5. In India, two types of Gokhru are found, the small one is known as “Gokhru khurd” (tribulus terrestris Linn) and bigger one as “Gokhru-kalan” (alium murex) 6, 3, 7,8,9,10,11. Most of the Unani Physicians have described that the Gokhru is of two types, one is “Jangali gokhru” that grows wild in forests, and another is “Bustani gokharu” that grows near the rivers and at the wet ground. Two kinds of medicinal plant that have the name of Tribulus, one of them grow on the land while other grows in or upon the water. The first kind is called Triboles chersea in Greek. This kind as described by Dioscorides grows beside water and about old houses. The Second kind grows in or above the water. The leaves are broad and have a long foot stalk. Water Tribulus is called water nut or club nut, as the fruit of it is like club. 12.  Scientific Classification Kingdom  : Plantae   Division  :  Phanerogams Sub division : Angiosperms Class   :  Dicotyledonae Sub class  :  Polypetalae Series   :  Disciflorae  Family  : Zygophyllaceae Genus  : Tribulus Species  : terrestris   Vernaculars Arabic : Bastitag, Busteyrumi, Khasak, Akhrasul-Ajooj Zafratul Ajooj. Urdu : Gokhru. Khan et al                                                                                                              Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics. 2019; 9(3-s):847-850 ISSN: 2250-1177                                                                                  [848]                                                                                      CODEN (USA): JDDTAO Persian : Khare-Khasak, Shakarhanj, Kharsa gosha Shakuhanj gosha. Hindi : Chotu Gokhru, Hatechangara. English : Caltrops. Bengali : Gokhru, Gokshura. Chinese : Chi Li Tsi Li Tse. French    : Criix de Chevalier, Croxi de Malte Hirbe Terrestre, Saligot, Terrestre.          Gujarat :  Betagokhru, Gokharu, Mithagokhru, Nanhagokhru. Malayalam: Neringil, Nerinnil. Marathi : Gokharu, Lahanagokharu, Sharatle. Punjabi : Bakhra, Bhukri,Gokhrudes, Lotak. Pustu : Kandalai Malhundai. Sanskrit : Ikshugandha, Gokshura Trikaantak. Suryani : Qarta. Tamil : Neruji, Sirunerinji. Telagu : Chirupalleru, Palleru. Turki : Mootteekan. Uriya : Gakhura, Gokshra. 13,19,20, Habitat Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn) is an annual or perennial plant growing throughout the India and other warm countries. In India, it grows up to an altitude of about 5400 m. The Plant grows more or less throughout the year or springing up everywhere soon after the first shower. The Flowering starts within 20-35 day from September to December. Fruit matures in 14 days after formation of seed between months of May to June. Fruits are collected during the month of May and June generally by hand but sometimes whole herb is gathered and then the spiny fruits are separated. Fruits are dried in shade, thoroughly garbled and stored in bottles and preserved in cool and dry place. Fruits retain medicinal efficacy for a period of 6 months only. This plant grows wild or at river banks or at sandy areas. 3, 14, 15, 16,17,8 18, 10, 13 Plant Description Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) is a multiethnic genus of twenty species belonging to the family Zygophyllaceae. Three species, viz, Tribulus terrestris, Tribulus cistoides and Tribulus atlus commonly found in India. Among them, T. terrestris L. is a trailing plant commonly found in sandy soil. It is usually branching prostrate herbs, silky with white or yellow flowers and spinous or tuberculate fruits. Root has a slender fibrous root 4 to 5 inches long, cylindrical, light brown in colour odour is faintly aromatic and the taste is sweetish and astringent. 17, 13,  Leaf of Tribulus terrestris L. is found to be composite abruptly pinnate one of each pair usually smaller than the other, Stipules are lanceolate, hairy leaflet, which are 3-6 pairs of 6-12 mm long, oblong, mucronate. 13, 18 Flowers axillary or opposed, solitary Pedicles 12-20 cm long slender hairy. Petals 1 cm long hairy.13,18  Fruit globose consisting of usually five hairy or nearly glabrous, often muriculate woody cocci, with two pairs of hard sharp spines, one pair longer than the other, several seeds are found  in each coccus, with transverse partitions between them. Average weight of single fruit is 0.182 g. 18  Chemical constituents  Various chemical constituents present in Khar-e-khasak-khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) are as listed below-  The preliminary phytochemical studies of Khar-e-Khasak-khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn.)  revealed the presence of Diosgenin, Sapogenin saponins, Ruscogenin, Gitogenin, Hecogenin, Ruscogenin 25-D Spirosta-3, 5-diene, Deoxy diosgenin, Electrase, 5% semidrub oil peroxidase, Glucosides, Resins, Proteins and a large amount of inorganic matters. Other constituents like Harman, Alkaloids liks Harmine. Harmaline and Tetrahydroharmine,, Vitamin C, Calcium, Quecertine, d-gluose, Rhamnose, amino acids, sodium, potassium are also present in the plant. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32.  Temperament (Mizaj ) 1. Cold and dry in first degree. 1, 7, 10.  2. Hot and dry in first degree. 33,34, 35, 3. Murakkabulqua. 3,4,6,11. Parts used for medicinal purpose  1. Fruits and seeds. 1,3,6,7,8, 9,11,34,18, 2,4,35. 2. Leave.11,3,4,35.  3. Roots. 3,13,17,16,21.  Pharmacological Actions (Afaal-wa- Khawas) in Unani  1. Lithotriptic (Mufattit-e-Hisat). 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,33,34,35 2. Appetizer (Mushtahi). 11,13  3. Diuretic (Mudir-e-Baul). 2,3,4,6,7,9,10,11,35 4. Cooling (Mubarrid). 2,3,13,36,16  5. Tonic (Moqavvie).11,17,13,36,37,16,21,20 6. Aperient (Mulayyan). 2,4,6,35,13,16  7. Moghalliz-e-Mani. 3,5,6,10,33,34, 8. Blood Purifier (Musaffi-khoon). 13,35,  9. Analgesic (Musakkin-Alam). 3,4,5,7,10,11,33,34,35   10. Aphrodisiac (Moqavvie-bah). 1,2,3,4,5,6,9,11,7,10,13,14,3717,36,33,  11. Stomachic (Moqavvie-Meda). 3,17, 20,21 12. Carminative (Kasir-e-Riyah). 7,10,11, 13,3,33,35  13. Anti-inflammatory. 2,3,4,5,11.8.6,10,35 14. Antidote (Tiryaque). 3,4,6,7,10,33, 15. Emmenagogue (Mudir-e-haiz). 39,40 Therapeutic uses in Unani  1. Renal Calculus (Hisatul Kuliya). 7,10,33,11, 2. Dropsy (Istesqa). 36,13, 3. Aphthous Ulcers (Qula). ). 7,10,11,12,13,33,37,  4. Anaemia (Faqruddam-e-Dum). 13, 5. Burning Micturition (Hurqat-e-Baul). 36,13,20,21,16,7,10,33,6,9,11 6. Cough (Sual). 11,13,16,36,  Khan et al                                                                                                              Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics. 2019; 9(3-s):847-850 ISSN: 2250-1177                                                                                  [849]                                                                                      CODEN (USA): JDDTAO 7. Chronic Cystitis (Warm-e-Masana Muzmin). 7,11,13,36,16,20,38,37 8. Dribbling of Urine (Taqteer-ul-Baul). 3,6,11,13,16,36,7 9. Spermatorrhoea (Jiryan-e-Mani). 3,5,11,36 10. Sterility (Uqr). 11,13,38 11. Antidote (Tiryaque). 6,7,10,3, 33, 12. Dysuria (Usrul Baul). 38,39 13. Amenorrhea (Ihtebase Haiz) 39,40 Pharmacological / Clinical studies  1.  Diuretic effect. 41,42  2.  Aphrodisiac activity.43,44 3.  Antiurolithic activity45,46 4.  Immunomodulatory activity.47 5.  Anti-inflammatory activity. 48, 49 6. Analgesic. 50 7.  Anti-spasmodic activity51   8.  Hypo-lipidemic activity52  9. Anti-bacterial activity 53 10. Central nervous System activity 54 Adverse effects (Muzir) Excessive use may be harmful for muscles, Spleen, kidney and produces spasm.1,3,5, 6,11,33,34 ,35 Correctives (Musleh) 1. Roghan-e-Badam  2. Roghan-e-Kunjad  3. Roghan-e-Gao   4. Gulqand. 1,3,4,5,6,9,33,34,35,  Substitute (Badal) 1. Kaknaj. 2. Tukhm-e-Khayarian. 3,4,5, 9,11, 35  Recommended dose (Miqdar-e-Khuraque )in Unani  1.  5-7gm. 1,4,5,34 2.  2-5 gm in the form of syrup. 1,2,3 Conclusion   As per traditional system of medicine especially Unani, Ayurvedic and Chineese system of medicine, Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris), have good significance in the management of various diseases. Considering the available literature on Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris), the plant could have a potential as a herbal medicine for effective Urinary tract infection, Congestive heart failure, Ascitis, Urolithiasis and blood pressure control due to its diuretic activity. Though Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris) has been used extensively over the centuries and currently scientific evidence with respect to its pharmacological activities is also being generated, more studies at the molecular level are needed to further understand the mechanism by which it modifies the disease condition. The pharmacological experiments performed on the plant must be extended to the next level of clinical trials to generate novel drugs. This will help Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris) in achieving a status of potent medicine or to be prescribed as a dietary supplement in various disease conditions. References  1. Antaki D.B.U. Tazkira-ulul-Albab Waljamelil Aljabil Ujjab. 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Medicinal efficacy of Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn)

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Medicinal efficacy of Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn)

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