20-Hydroxyecdysone: The Pro-Anabolic, Plant Steroid ©2001 Huntington College of Health Sciences Literature Education Series On Dietary Supplements

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

should, ideally, also be the case with any Smart Supplementation™ is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington new dietary supplements which may be College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public added to such a stack. That’s the beauty service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely 20-Hydroxyecdysone. photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart Supplementation™ Phytoecdysteroids and polyribosomes is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical 20-Hydroxyecdysone belongs to a class of condition, consult your physician. natural substances called phytoecdysteroids (i.e., plant-based steroids). Animal research With the rise of democracy and the has shown that phytoecdysteroids are active crumbling of political boundaries in the in protein biosynthesis (anabolism). It does previous USSR, many long-time Russian this by increasing the activity of secrets were slowly revealed to the western polyribosomes. Polyribosomes are the world. One of these secrets used to give cytoplasmic compartments within cells where actual protein synthesis takes place. Soviet athletes a decided advantage—one 1 that we can now share. It’s a plant called The result is an increase in body mass. This Rhaponticum carthamoides, and it contains a phytoecdysteroid-stimulated protein remarkable substance called synthesis works differently than anabolic 20-Hydroxyecdysone which helps promote steroids, and is independent of testosterone. increases in muscle mass and athletic performance. Rhaponticum carthamoides and 20-Hydroxyecdysone for building muscle In animal research, 20-Hydroxyecdysone Building muscle & increasing extracted from Rhaponticum carthamoides performance with dietary supplements resulted in a 115% increase in developing When it comes to building muscle and 2 increasing performance, the sky’s the limit body mass. In other animal research as far as choices for possible dietary 20-Hydroxyecdysone was compared to the supplements to support the process are anabolic steroid, methandrosternolone. Both concerned. Unfortunately, very few of these the methandrosternolone and supplements have appropriate scientific 20-Hydroxyecdysone stimulated the research to support their marketing claims. biosynthesis of contractile proteins in the There are, of course, a few that do. These skeletal muscles. However, the action of include legal, sublingual androgens (e.g., methandrosternolone was limited to slow- androstenediol), creatine, and quality protein contracting muscles, while isolates (e.g., whey, soy and casein). Each 20-Hydroxyecdysone produced anabolic of these dietary supplements work by a effects in various types of skeletal muscles. different mechanism, so a “stack” which As a matter of fact, the 20-Hydroxyecdysone included all of them would be caused statistically significant increases in complementary, rather than redundant. This skeletal muscle mass and muscle protein 1 Huntington College of Health Sciences • 800-290-4226 • www.hchs.edu content. 3 group). 5 Yet another study conducted on 117 highly qualified speed skaters also At this point you may be thinking, “OK, so demonstrated that Rhaponticum was able to 20-Hydroxyecdysone can help animals get increase anabolic protein metabolism, and muscular; but what about humans?” If so, body weight. 6 you’ll be pleased about this next bit of research. Studies in Russia on human Clearly, 20-Hydroxyecdysone from subjects found that under conditions of Rhaponticum carthamoides is capable of aerobic-anaerobic training for three weeks, supporting an anabolic increase in muscle 20-Hydroxyecdysone was able diminish mass, as well as a decrease in body fat. But body fat content, while elevating muscle beyond that, this plant extract has also been mass. 4 A similar study found that a shown to be effective in enhancing combination of 20-Hydroxyecdysone with a performance. protein supplement given to athletes resulted in up to a 13.71% reduction in fat content, Rhaponticum carthamoides and together with up to a 7.10% increase in 20-Hydroxyecdysone for enhancing muscle tissue mass (compared with up to a performance 2.99% decrease in muscle in the placebo In Russia, Rhaponticum carthamoides has effects. This study provides reliable data for been used for a long time as a tonic against the recommendation that Rhaponticum by physical and mental fatique, and decreased recommended as a preventive remedy for endurance. Specific animal research has fatigue, to increase nonspecific resistance, shown that Rhaponticum carthamoides, and and to improve human mental and physical specifically its 20-Hydroxyecdysone content, work capacity. 9 had adaptogenic characteristics which extended swimming time by up to 22%, Another study was conducted on 47 sailors increased the length of runs by mice until after four months of sailing when symptoms fatigue by up to 32%. During the use of of fatigue were displayed. After taking the Rhaponticum extract over a period of a Rhaponticum extract, sleep normalized, week, the time of a run increased by 65.2%. appetite increased, and the general mental Rhaponticum also increased the animals’ and physical state was improved in the test resistance to high temperature by 21%. 7 subjects, and their work capacity increased. Similar research also found that By contrast, there was a tendency towards Rhaponticum was able to increase the worsening of the physical and mental state performance and strength of rats subjected to in the control group who did not take the swimming tests. 8 Of course, as with the Rhaponticum. The authors of this study anabolic effects of Rhaponticum, there are advised that Rhaponticum by used as a also human studies supporting the preventive remedy for increasing general performance-enhancing qualities of this endurance and “functional activity”. 10 plant. The aforementioned study conducted on 117 One clinical study was conducted on 60 highly qualified speed skaters also cadets a the end of the academic year, a demonstrated positive results in terms of period which is characterized by significant performance. The results of a 20-day cycle mental and physical work loads including of taking Rhaponticum extract were a exams, drills, and physical competitions. An significant increase in work capacity improvement in appetite, sleep, and the compared the placebo group. The general physical and mental state was noted Rhaponticum group also experienced a by all those given the Rhaponticum extract. tendency toward improved aerobic capacity, There was not a single case of negative side and a decrease in heart beat rate. Also, 2 Huntington College of Health Sciences • 800-290-4226 • www.hchs.edu Rhaponticum was able to reliably increase the available reserves of the adrenal glands (Rhapontiucm carthamoides) extract for the (that is, increase the adrenal hormones after purpose of preservation and increase of mental and physical work capacities” IN: stimulation of the adrenal glands), which New data on Eleutherococcus and other reflects the ability of this plant extract to adaptogens: proceedings of the 1 st increase the athletes adaptive abilities to International Symposium on physical work load. Eleutherococcus (Hamburg, 1980). Vladivostok: Far East Scientific Center of Conclusion the Academy of Science of the USSR, 1982, 139. Whether you’re just considering using a dietary supplement for the first time to help you with you’re bodybuilding and performance goals, or you’re simply looking for the next great supplement to add to your current stack, Rhaponticum carthamoides extract which provides 20-Hydroxyecdysone may help you experience increases in muscle mass and athletic performance.

References

1. Syrov VN, Nauchnye doklady vysshei shkoly (1984) (11):16-20. 2. Sláma K, et al, Experiencia (1996) 52:702- 6. 3. Cherminikh NS, et al, Pharmacology and toxicology (1988) No. 6, 57, 5 pages. 4. Gadzhieva RM, et al, Eksperimental’naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia (1995) 58(5):46-8. For more than two decades, Huntington College 5. Simakin SY, et al, Scientific Sports Bulletin of Health Sciences (HCHS) has offered more (1988) No. 2, 5 pages. than a conventional undergraduate or graduate 6. Smetanin VY, “The influence of education. Our accredited*, distance learning degrees and diploma programs also include the preparations of plant origin on physical work breadth of responsible complementary and capacity” Dissertation abstract (1986) The alternative medicine viewpoints, providing our Russian Ministry of Public Health, Smolensk students with a well-rounded and comprehensive State Medical Institute, 4 pages. approach to nutrition and the health sciences: 7. Syrov VN, Kurmukov AG, Reports of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan (1977) • Master of Science in Nutrition Issue 12: 27-30. • Bachelor of Health Science in Nutrition 8. Petkov V, et al, Planta Medica (1988):205- • Associate of Science in Applied Nutrition • Diploma in Comprehensive Nutrition 209. • Diploma in Dietary Supplement Science 9. Gerasyuta MA, Koval TN, “The experience • Diploma in Sports Nutrition of prolonged use of Leuzea carthamoids • Diploma in Women’s Nutrition (Rhapontiucm carthamoides) extract for the • Diploma in Natural Sciences purpose of preservation and increase of • Diploma in Small Business Management mental and physical work capacities” IN: New data on Eleutherococcus and other 1204D Kenesaw adaptogens: proceedings of the 1 st Knoxville, TN 37919 International Symposium on 865-524-8079 • 800-290-4226 E-Mail: [email protected] Eleutherococcus (Hamburg, 1980). www.hchs.edu.com Vladivostok: Far East Scientific Center of the Academy of Science of the USSR, 1982, *Accredited member Distance Education & 135. Training Council. 10. Gerasyuta MA, Koval TN, “The experience of prolonged use of Leuzea carthamoids

3 Huntington College of Health Sciences • 800-290-4226 • www.hchs.edu