Tribulus macropterus
Tribulus macropterus, commonly known as the large-fruited puncture vine, is a resilient medicinal herb native to arid regions. Renowned for its bioactive compounds, it is traditionally utilized in various cultures to support reproductive health, enhance vitality, and possess potent antioxidant properties, making it a significant subject in ethnopharmacology.
- Scientific name: Tribulus macropterus
- Family: Zygophyllaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zygophyllales, it is further categorized into the family Zygophyllaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Tribulus as Tribulus macropterus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zygophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Zygophyllaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Tribulus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Tribulus macropterus, is known by several traditional names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Arabic, it is commonly referred to as ذقن الشيخ or ضريسة.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | ذقن الشيخ | Wikidata |
| ar | ضريسة | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the African continent. Within Northern Africa, it can be found growing in the territories of Algeria, Egypt, and Libya. Its presence extends further west into Morocco, marking a significant part of its regional reach. Additionally, the species is distributed within West Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting Mali. Together, these regions define the primary geographical footprint of Tribulus macropterus.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Chad | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Turkmenistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Tribulus macropterus, is primarily utilized in medicinal applications through the use of its aerial parts. These above-ground structures include the stems, leaves, flowers, and characteristic fruit, all of which contain the bioactive compounds sought for therapeutic purposes. By harvesting the aerial parts, practitioners can access the diverse chemical profile of the plant that is developed during its growth cycle above the soil surface.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Tribulus macropterus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include D-pinitol, sucrose.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| D-pinitol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sucrose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Tribulus macropterus has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |