Table 1. Summary of herbs derived products and their proven or advertised activity.

PLANT/HERB

SUBSTANCE

DESCRIBED/PROVEN ACTIVITY

Ajuga Turkestanica

Turkesteron

Anabolic

Raphonticum Carthamoides

Ecdysterone
Ponasteron A

Anabolic

Cyanotis Vaga

Commisteron

Anabolic

Bacopa Monnieri

Ecdysterone

Anabolic

Commiphora Mukul

Guggulsteron

Activate alpha isoform of estrogen receptor, increase fibrinolytic activity, reduce platelets aggregation

Gotu Kola

Fucosterol Stigmasterol
B-sistosterol Campesterol

Anabolic and anti-hystaminergic

Smilax officinalis

Fucosterol Stigmasterol
B-sistosterol Campesterol

Anabolic and anti-hystaminergic

Muira Puama

Fucosterol Stigmasterol
B-sistosterol Campesterol

Anabolic and anti-hystaminergic

Tribulus Terrestris

Protodioscin

A supposed but not proven increase in LH

Eurycoma Longifolia

Methoxyflafon

Competitive inhibitor of p450
Inhibition of CYP19

Vitex Agnus Castus

Flavonoids

Oestrogenic

Astragalus Root

Flavonoids

Oestrogenic