Description
Basic Information
- Chemical Name: 20-Hydroxyecdysone
- Synonyms: Ecdysterone, 20E, Beta-Ecdysone
- Molecular Formula: C₂₇H₄₄O₇
- Molecular Weight: ~480.64 g/mol
- Class: Ecdysteroids (insect molting hormones)
🌿 Sources
Hydroxyecdysone is found in:
- Plants (phytoecdysteroids), especially:
- Rhaponticum carthamoides (Leuzea)
- Spinach
- Asparagus
- •Quinoa
- Insects – regulates molting and reproduction
- Crustaceans – involved in exoskeleton shedding
🧠 Mechanism of Action (in humans)
While not a steroid in the traditional anabolic sense, ecdysterone is thought to:
- Bind to the estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), not androgen receptors.
- Stimulate protein synthesis via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, much like anabolic steroids do—without the hormonal side effects.
It does not convert to testosterone, nor suppress natural testosterone production.
🧪 Scientific Evidence
✔️ Muscle Growth & Performance
- A 2019 study by the University of Cologne (published in Archives of Toxicology) showed:
- Significant muscle mass and strength increases in subjects taking ecdysterone vs placebo.
- Results comparable to low-dose anabolic steroids.
- No hormonal suppression observed.
❗Caveats:
- •Most human studies are small in scale or poorly controlled.
- •Many claims are based on animal or cell studies.
- •Long-term safety in humans is not well studied.
⚖️ Legal Status
- WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency): Currently monitored under their Watch List, not banned (as of 2025).
- Legal for over-the-counter sale as a dietary supplement in most countries.
- Marketed under names like “Ecdysterone,” “Turkesterone” (a related compound), and “Leuzea extract.”
💊 Dosage & Use
Typical supplement dosages:
- 200–500 mg/day (divided doses)
- Some users report benefits up to 1,000 mg/day, though more isn’t necessarily better.
Often cycled 4–8 weeks on, followed by a break. Not known to require post-cycle therapy (PCT).
⚠️ Side Effects & Safety
✔️ Generally well-tolerated:
- No reported hormonal suppression
- No liver toxicity in normal doses
- No androgenic side effects (e.g., acne, hair loss)
❗Potential Risks:
- Limited long-term human data
- Quality control issues in supplements (adulteration, mislabeling)
- Overhyped marketing without robust clinical evidence
🧬 Related Compounds
- Compound Key Feature
- Turkesterone Similar structure; more expensive
- Ajugasterone C Found in Ajuga turkestanica
- Makisterone A Ecdysteroid in insects
🧴 Supplement Form & Stacking
- •Available in:
- •Capsules
- •Powders
- •Herbal extracts (Rhaponticum, Cyanotis, etc.)
Often stacked with:
- Creatine
- Protein
- BCAAs
- Other plant-based adaptogens
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