Tribulus terrestris: A Revisit to a Promising Herbal Diuretic

Background: Standard diuretics are essential for managing fluid as well as electrolyte overload and hypertension but are frequently associated with adverse effects such as electrolyte imbalances, renal dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances. This has prompted increased interest in safer, plant-based alternatives. Tribulus terrestris, a medicinal herb used as a diuretic agent in traditional systems, has shown promising diuretic activity in recent experimental studies. Objective: To provide an outline and assess the reported diuretic effects of Tribulus terrestris, including its phytochemical profile, mechanisms of action, and findings from in vivo, in vitro, and in silico studies. Methods: An extensive literature survey was performed on the PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases for studies published between 2000 and 2025. The inclusion criterion was original articles evaluating the diuretic activity of Tribulus terrestris. Articles without diuretic activity were excluded. Data extraction included the plant part used, extract type, dosage, model used and observed effects. Results: This review highlights the diuretic properties and phytoconstituents of Tribulus terrestris. Most studies have used aqueous or ethanolic extracts of fruits or whole plants and reported significant increases in urine output and urinary sodium excretion, which are often comparable to those of standard diuretics such as furosemide. Conclusion: This review highlights the preclinical diuretic activity of Tribulus terrestris. It has shown effective and welltolerated diuretic potential in preclinical and human subjects. It is a promising, likely herbal-based diuretic, natural alternative or complement, adjunct to conventional diuretics, which warrants further investigation through clinical studies.