Study type: 

Rodent study (male rats)

Purpose

To compare the anabolic activity of phytoecdysteroids and steranabols (anabolic steroids). Specifically, turkesterone and ecdysterone were compared with methyandrostenediol (Anabol) and nerobol (Dianabol). The effect of phytoecdysteroids upon protein-anabolic processes were judged by changes in body weight and the weight of internal organs and skeletal muscles. 

Dose:

5 mg/kg/day of phytoecdysteroids for 10 days or 10 mg/kg/day of Dianabol/Anabol for 10 days.

Results:

The results showed that the anabolic activity of turkesterone outperformed anabolic steroids. 

As visible in the table pictured, puberal and intact impuberal rodents experienced greater weight gain from turkesterone than from nerabol (Dianabol) and methylandrostenediol (Anabol).

These results are remarkable for several reasons:

1. Dianabol and Anabol are potent anabolic steroids that bodybuilders have used for decades.

2. Anabol and Dianabol generally lead to artificial weight gain due to water retention, unlike turkesterone and ecdysterone. 

3. Turkesterone and ecdysterone stimulated protein synthesis without adverse effects on the endocrine system.

Link:

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02524596

Study type: 

Non-randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial

Purpose:

To measure the effects of ecdysteroids (ecdysterone) on sports performance and body composition.

Interventions:

Ecdysterone supplement and 3 sessions of resistance training per week

Participants:

46 young men with at least 1 year of experience in weight-lifting (bench press, deadlift and squat)

Duration:

10 weeks

Results:

Compared to the placebo group, ecdysterone was correlated with significantly larger increases in muscle mass. The placebo group actually lost muscle mass.

Ecdysterone supplementation was also correlated with a significant increase in bench press and squat performance compared to the placebo group.

Importantly, biomarkers for liver or kidney toxicity did not increase after ecdysterone supplementation.

Year:

2019

Study sponsor:

WADA

Link:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-019-02490-x   

Study type: 

Animal & cellular study

Purpose

To elucidate the anabolic potency of ecdysterone (an ecdysteroid similar to turkesterone) in comparison to other known anabolic agents and to support the hypothesis of ERβ mediated action by in-silico modelling.

Dose:

5 mg/kg/day of phytoecdysteroids for 10 days or 10 mg/kg/day of methylandrostenediol (Anabol) or nerobol (Dianabol) for 10 days.

Results:

In the rodent study, ecdysterone exhibited a strong hypertrophic effect on the fibre size of the soleus muscle that was found to be even stronger than dianabol (metandienone), trenbolox (estradienedione), and SARMS1, all administered with the same dose (5 mg/kg for 21 days). 

In the cellular study, ecdysterone (1 µM) induced a significant increase of the diameter of myotubes (a cell found in muscle fibres) comparable to dihydrotestosterone (1 µM) and IGF1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor, 1.3 nM). 

Conclusion:

The anabolic potency of ecdysterone was comparable or even higher than the anabolic androgenic steroids, SARMs or IGF-1. 

Year

2015

Link:

https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1144420 

Study type: 

Cellular study

Purpose

To study the mechanism of action of phytoecdysteroids in mammalian tissue.

Results:

In human primary myotubes (cells found in muscle fibres), phytoecdysteroids increased protein synthesis by up to 20%.

Year

2008

Link:

https://doi.org/10.1021/jf073059z 

Study type: 

Cellular study

Purpose

To evaluate whether phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis.

Results:

20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysterone), a common phytoecdysteroid in both insects and plants, increased protein synthesis in myotubes (cells found in muscle fibres) by up to 16%.

Year

2010

Link:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2010.03.008