The general spread of L. athletic overall performance. Phytochemical studies have shown great disparities in the content of active substances (in particular the concentration of furostanol and spirostanol saponoside, considered to be the predominant active ingredients related to the therapeutic action). Thus, studies of experimental pharmacology (in vitro studies and animal models in vivo) and clinical pharmacology (efficacy and safety clinical trials) have sometimes led to divergent results; moreover, the presumed pharmacodynamic mechanisms have yet to be confirmed by molecular biology studies. Given the differences observed in the composition, the plant organ used to obtain the extract, the need for selective extraction methods which are targeted 17-AAG ic50 at the class of phytocompounds, and the standardization of extracts is an complete necessity. This review aims to spotlight the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of (TT) is usually a herb that grows especially in South Africa, Australia, India, and Europe. It is ZNF538 part of the Zygophyllaceae family, a widespread family with 25 genera and about 250 species. TT is usually a crawling herbal herb that generally develops in arid climates and sandy soils and grows up to one meter high. The name comes from the Greek name which means spike fruit. The fruits are used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in Ayurvedic medicine in India, and traditional medicine in Bulgaria for the treatment of different conditions [1]. In addition, the fruits have monographs in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, 16th Ed. (2012), Korean Pharmacopoeia, 9th Ed. (2007), Pharmacopoeia of China (2005), and Siddha Pharmacopoeia India, Vol. 1 (2008) (taxonomy validated in http://mpns.kew.org/mpns-portal/). Many compounds with a variety of biological properties and chemical structures have been recognized in TT extract, especially steroidal saponins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, polyphenol carboxylic acids, and alkaloids. The composition of TT extract depends 17-AAG ic50 on various factors such as the extraction method and whether roots, leaves, or fruits have been used. Furthermore, the composition and biological activity of TT depends on growth conditions, including ground quality, but also the harvesting period [2]. As shown by Dinchev et al. [3], the highest content of saponins in the aerial parts was met during the preflowering and flowering periods. However, a correlation could not be found between the geographical and ecological conditions and the chemical composition. Nevertheless, remarkable variations (different concentrations in compounds as well as the absence of some compounds) were noticed between samples collected from your same country [4]. Worldwide, there are numerous pharmaceutical preparations and herbal supplements that contain extracts standardized in steroidal saponins. These are mainly indicated in libido disorders for both males and females, erectile dysfunction, and abnormal sperm motility, but data from your literature are somewhat controversial regarding the efficacy of TT extracts in such disorders [5]. Increased consumption of TT supplements has also been observed in athletes as they continually seek natural sources for boosting their performance. Several reviews have been published in recent years. Table 1 comprises all the reviews related to TT found in the scientific literature. Table 1 Previous reviews. alone or in combination with chemistry, pharmacology, effects, and toxicity. For 17-AAG ic50 this review, only full-text articles written in the English language were taken into consideration. Unpublished results or grey literature were not included and only pharmacological actions that demonstrated effects both in vitro and in vivo were discussed in the present review. 2. Chemical Composition TT fruits contain important secondary metabolites such as saponins, polyphenolic compounds, and alkaloids. The steroidal saponins are mainly furostanol and spirostanol type (Physique 1). The furostanol saponins are believed to be biogenetic precursors of the spiro analogs. To date, over 70 different compounds have been recognized in TT (Table 2). Open in a separate window Physique 1 Spirostanol (left) and furostanol (right) saponins. Table 2 Chemical compounds recognized in (TT). sp. extracts [53,54]. Saponins, due to their amphiphilic molecule, have membrane permeabilizing properties, thus, they could increase the absorption of other compounds. This property is usually of great importance because harmful effects could appear in patients with multiple conditions who undergo chronic treatments. 3.2. Antioxidant Activity Production of reactive oxygen 17-AAG ic50 species (ROS) in the body and their correlation with the incidence of chronic diseases has been largely explained in the scientific literature and is already a fact. TT extracts contain flavonoids and polyphenol carboxylic acids. The.