CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS PLANT GROWING IN THE FERGANA REGION AND ITS ROLE IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

ABSTRACT

This article is dedicated to investigating the chemical composition and medicinal importance of Tribulus terrestris, a plant growing in the Fergana region of Uzbekistan. The research encompasses the identification of macro- and microelements, as well as the detection of biologically active substances such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and phenolic compounds. The study also sheds light on the traditional methods of using this plant in folk medicine, particularly for joint and urinary tract disorders. The findings reveal that Tribulus terrestris contains valuable mineral and organic components, including lanthanides, making it a potential source of biologically active compounds for pharmaceutical applications.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Данная статья посвящена исследованию химического состава и лекарственной ценности якорцев стелющихся (Tribulus terrestris), растения, произрастающего в Ферганской области Узбекистана. Исследование включает определение макро- и микроэлементов, а также выявление биологически активных веществ, таких как алкалоиды, флавоноиды, сапонины и фенольные соединения. В работе также освещаются традиционные методы применения этого растения в народной медицине, особенно при заболеваниях суставов и мочевыводящих путей. Результаты показывают, что якорцы, стелющиеся содержат ценные минеральные и органические компоненты, в том числе лантаноиды, что делает их потенциальным источником биологически активных соединений для фармацевтического применения.

Keywords: milk thistle stem, root, extract, herbal extract, chemical components.

Ключевые слова: стебель расторопши, корень, экстракт, растительный экстракт, химические компоненты.

Introduction. The territory of Uzbekistan is rich in medicinal plants, which opens wide opportunities for their rational use. Among physiologically active substances, alkaloids and saponins, which possess high biological activity, are of particular interest. Studying the chemical structure and biological function of natural compounds not only contributes to the development of chemical science but also facilitates the creation of new effective medicinal preparations.

Tribulus terrestris (family Zygophyllaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant, reaching 1-3 meters in length. It primarily grows along the ground and has branched, hairy stems with characteristic thorny fruits. The plant blooms in May-June, and its fruits ripen in June-July. Geographically, it is distributed across Central Asia, India, Europe, Kazakhstan, southern Russia, and the Caucasus. In the Fergana Valley, it is known as the ‘iron thorn’ plant.

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition and biological significance of Tribulus terrestris growing in the Fergana region, focusing on its macro- and microelement content and its applications in traditional medicine.

Materials and methods. Tribulus terrestris L. samples were collected during the flowering and fruiting period (May-July) from natural habitats in the Fergana region of Uzbekistan. The plant material was identified at the Department of Botany of Fergana State University. The collected samples were cleaned, shade-dried at room temperature, and cut into 2-3 cm long fragments.

The dried material was extracted four times with 96% ethanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The combined extract was filtered and concentrated under vacuum at 40-45°C. The crude extract was sequentially purified with chloroform, transferred to an alkaline medium (pH 8-9), and then extracted with n-butanol. The resulting butanol extract was evaporated to dryness and fractionated on an Al2O3 column. Elution was performed using chloroform and chloroform: methanol systems in ratios of 50:1, 20:1, and 4:1, yielding 82 fractions.

Qualitative identification of steroid saponins was conducted using the Lieberman-Burchard reaction with acetic anhydride and concentrated H2SO4, where a color change from yellow to red upon heating confirmed the presence of steroid compounds. Standard phytochemical screening methods were used to detect alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other bioactive compounds.

The content of macro- and microelements (Ca, K, Na, Fe, Sr, Rb, Zn, Mn, Cr, Co, Mo, Ni, Se, and others) was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) after acid digestion (HNO3:HClO4, 3:1). The obtained data were used to characterize the mineral composition and assess the biological significance of Tribulus terrestris growing in the Fergana Valley.

Results and Discussion. Chemical composition. The product contains steroid saponins, alkaloids (harman, etc.), flavonoids, vitamin C, dyes, preservatives and other substances, the fruit contains 5% oil.

Table 1.

The number of macroelements in the Tribulus terrastris plant

Table 2.

The number of microelements in the Tribulus terrastris plant

Table 3.

The purpose of the research was to study the content of macro- and micro elements in the Tribulus terrastris plant growing in the Fergana Valley.

Apparently, one of the most promising aspects is the presence of lanthanides.

From the collection of steroid saponins, dioscin, 2% diosgenin, gitogenin, gracillan, etc. were isolated in pure form.

Table 4.

Results of qualitative analysis

(+++)- a lot, (++) - a little, (+) - a very little, (-) – none

Alkaloids were found to be present in small quantities in all parts of the plant - leaves, stems, and roots. Coumarins were found in moderate amounts in the stem and in smaller amounts in the leaves and roots. Flavonoids are present in significant amounts in all parts of the plant, which indicates their widespread distribution in Tribulus terrestris. Essential oils are also found in small quantities in leaves, stems, and roots. Steroid saponins were detected in moderate amounts in the leaves, lesser amounts in the stems, and were completely absent in the roots. Carbohydrates were found only in small quantities in leaves, while they are absent in stems and roots. Phenolic carboxylic acids are present in leaves and stems but were not detected in the roots.

These results demonstrate that Tribulus terrestris contains a rich diversity of biologically active compounds, especially flavonoids and steroid saponins. These compounds may contribute to the physiological and pharmacological properties of the plant.

Conclusion. The study demonstrated that Tribulus terrestris L. plants collected from the Fergana region represent a rich natural source of diverse biologically active components, including steroid saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, as well as essential macro- and microelements. Qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed a significant presence of physiologically important elements such as potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, and manganese, along with trace amounts of rare lanthanides, which may contribute to the plant's unique pharmacological profile.

The detection of steroid saponins and alkaloids corroborates the traditional use of the plant in folk medicine as a tonic, diuretic, and cardiovascular agent. These compounds are known to exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormone-regulating effects. The presence of lanthanides and other trace elements further enhances its potential as a valuable medicinal raw material, suggesting a synergistic influence on metabolic and enzymatic processes in the human body.

Overall, the obtained results confirm that Tribulus terrestris growing in the Fergana Valley possesses significant therapeutic potential and can serve as a promising source for the development of natural pharmaceutical preparations and biologically active supplements. Further research should focus on isolating and characterizing individual bioactive compounds, elucidating their mechanisms of action, and conducting in vivo pharmacological and toxicological evaluations to substantiate their efficacy and safety for clinical applications.

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