Ecdysterone (20-Hydroxyecdysone)
Also known as: 20-hydroxyecdysone, beta-ecdysterone, ecdysteroid, spinach extract, Cyanotis extract, Rhaponticum extract
Ecdysterone is a phytoecdysteroid, an insect-molting hormone analog found in spinach, quinoa, and the roots of Cyanotis and Rhaponticum plants. It is marketed as a non-hormonal anabolic aid. A 10-week strength-training study reported greater muscle mass and bench-press gains with an ecdysterone-containing spinach extract, but chemical analysis found the capsules held far less ecdysterone than labeled, and an earlier 8-week trial of 200 mg found no effect. Product quality and actual content vary widely.
Research summary
Proposed to act via estrogen receptor beta signaling to increase muscle protein synthesis; not androgenic.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | 200–500 mg | — | — |
Label doses of 200–500 mg per day are common, but human data are inconsistent and the effective dose is unknown. The 2019 study's positive results came from capsules whose measured ecdysterone content was much lower than stated. Verify assay on the CoA. WADA has placed ecdysterone under monitoring, so it is not appropriate for tested athletes.
Standardization: assayed for 20-hydroxyecdysone (commonly 95% from Cyanotis arachnoidea, or low-percentage spinach extracts)
Source material: Cyanotis arachnoidea root extract or spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaf extract
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Off-white powder with low solubility; capsules and tablets standard.
Formulation notes
Regulatory status as a dietary ingredient is uncertain; WADA monitoring program. Verify actual ecdysterone content since label claims have been shown to be unreliable.
- NDI status uncertain
Sources
- Ecdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans. (Isenmann, 2019)PubMed
- Effects of methoxyisoflavone, ecdysterone, and sulfo-polysaccharide supplementation on training adaptations in resistance-trained males. (Wilborn, 2006)PubMed
- Examine — EcdysteroneExamine
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