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Effects of Methoxyisoflavone, Ecdysterone, and Sulfo-Polysaccharide Supplementation on Training Adaptations in Resistance-Trained Males

Taylor & Francis
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Authors:
Colin Wilborn at University of Mary Hardin–Baylor
Colin Wilborn
Lem Taylor at University of Mary Hardin–Baylor
Lem Taylor
Bill Campbell at University of South Florida
Bill Campbell
Chad M Kerksick at Lindenwood University
Chad M Kerksick
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Purpose Methoxyisoflavone (M), 20-hydroxyecdysone (E), and sulfo-polysaccharide (CSP3) have been marketed to athletes as dietary supplements that can increase strength and muscle mass during resistance-training. However, little is known about their potential ergogenic value. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these supplements affect training adaptations and/or markers of muscle anabolism/catabolism in resistance-trained athletes. Methods Forty-five resistance-trained males (20.5 ± 3 yrs; 179 ± 7 cm, 84 ± 16 kg, 17.3 ± 9% body fat) were matched according to FFM and randomly assigned to ingest in a double blind manner supplements containing either a placebo (P); 800 mg/day of M; 200 mg of E; or, 1,000 mg/day of CSP3 for 8-weeks during training. At 0, 4, and 8-weeks, subjects donated fasting blood samples and completed comprehensive muscular strength, muscular endurance, anaerobic capacity, and body composition analysis. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Results No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in training adaptations among groups in the variables FFM, percent body fat, bench press 1 RM, leg press 1 RM or sprint peak power. Anabolic/catabolic analysis revealed no significant differences among groups in active testosterone (AT), free testosterone (FT), cortisol, the AT to cortisol ratio, urea nitrogen, creatinine, the blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio. In addition, no significant differences were seen from pre to post supplementation and/or training in AT, FT, or cortisol. Conclusion Results indicate that M, E, and CSP3 supplementation do not affect body composition or training adaptations nor do they influence the anabolic/catabolic hormone status or general markers of catabolism in resistance-trained males.
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Effects of Methoxyisoflavone, Ecdysterone, and Sulfo-Polysaccharide Supplementation on Training Adaptations in Resistance-Trained Mal
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Effects of Methoxyisoflavone, Ecdysterone, and Sulfo-Polysaccharide Supplementation on Training Adaptations in Resistance-Trained Mal
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... Derivada de la Ecdisona, la Ecdisterona (Ec), β-Ecdisona o 20-Hidroxiecdisona (BE) fue catalogada como la molécula estándar de esta familia de compuestos cíclicos perhidrogenados. Ec es el ecdiesteroide con mayor actividad biológica en insectos (14,15,16) . Del mismo modo, es el PE más común, pudiendo ser aislado de los extractos de diversas especies de plantas con una relación coste/beneficio aceptable (13) . ...
... De mismo modo, la respuesta celular es dosis dependiente ya que con una posología inferior a 5ug/Kg de peso corporal no mostraban actividad significativa (27) . En modelos animales, principalmente ratas y ratones, la suplementación de la dieta con Ec durante periodos de 20 a 30 días y, en combinación con pruebas de natación, mostró que aquellos individuos suplementados eran capaces de nadar tramos más largos (14,15,25) . Estas conclusiones llevaron a la Ec a ser propuesta como molécula de estudio en humanos y dilucidar si realmente ejerce un poder anabólico y de mejora del rendimiento físico. ...
Ecdiesteroides y su actividad farmacológica sobre el músculo esquelético
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2023
Introducción: Los ecdiesteroides presentan cualidades únicas dentro del reino vegetal y animal. Su similitud a esteroides endógenos de mamíferos les otorga actividad biológica sobre el tejido muscular esquelético. Sin embargo, su mecanismo de acción está por definirse en su totalidad. Método: Se realizó una revisión narrativa utilizando la evidencia científica más relevante. Se consultaron de las bases de datos Medline, Google Scholar, Scielo y Wiley, incluyéndose y excluyéndose trabajos acordes a los criterios del autor. Resultados: La actividad de los ecdiesteroides, principalmente de la Ecdisterona (Ec), podría deberse a la interacción con Mas, receptor acoplado a proteína-G transmembrana (GPCR), y la posterior activación del receptor de estrógenos β (ER β) no nuclear. Dicho mecanismo de acción induce la activación de la ruta alternativa del Sistema Renina-Angiotensina-Aldosterona (RAA) aboliendo los mecanismos de degradación muscular y, mediante la activación indirecta de Erβ, se suprime la expresión del gen de la miostatina. Esta actividad biológica pudiera conferir a los ecdiesteroides propiedades farmacológicas óptimas para impedir la degradación proteico-muscular, tales como la regeneración y reparación del tejido. Conclusiones: Ec ha demostrado poseer propiedades farmacológicas interesantes para el abordaje alternativo de patologías musculodegenerativas por sus efectos anticatabólicos. Aunque prosigue la investigación para su implementación en la clínica, esta siendo utilizada en la industria deportiva y en ensayos para el tratamiento de diferentes patologías.
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... The administration of alcoholic extract leads to an increase in uterus diameter and thickness of the endometrium, suggesting mild estrogenic activity (Pare et al. 2013). In another study, Wilborn et al. (2006) opined that more studies on human beings should be conducted to assess the antifertility potential of T. portulacastrum. ...
An overview of ethnobotany, pharmacology, phytochemistry and phytotoxicity of Trianthema portulacastrum L.
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Full-text available
Medicinal plants have remained a promising panacea for various health problems since ancient times. Trianthema portulacastrum L. (Family: Aizoaceae) is a small, diffused, annual and branched weed native to South Africa and also distributed in America, Baluchistan, India and West Asia. It is one of the significant medicinal herbs used for a variety of culinary and healthcare practices all over the world. Traditionally, it was used for the treatment of jaundice, asthma, throat infections and rheumatism. It is also helpful in treating alcohol poisoning. Its fleshy leaves are used for wound healing. The medicinal herb is a rich reservoir of therapeutically useful bioactive constituents, viz. flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides and phenols. This plant possesses several pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-fungal, anti-pyretic, anticancer, hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective. The present review is an effort to consolidate the available information on its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacological actions with possible mechanisms of action, toxicological studies, and recent advances. The phytotoxic potential of this weed has also been highlighted which may serve as a source for developing potent herbicides. The findings of this article may provide useful leads for pharmaceutical scientists, food scientists and herbal health practitioners to search for new drugs. The findings may also be beneficial for preparing a monograph of plants for future research aspects. Further comprehensive research is needed to evaluate molecular modes of action and ascertain efficacious doses of T. portulacastrum. Graphical abstract
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... PLA decreased by 0.9% and 0.7% below baseline at 60 and 120 min post-ingestion, respectively, and, at 180 min, it increased 3.6% above baseline. Wilborn et al. [46] examined the effects of methoxyisoflavone, 20E, and sulfo-polysaccharide supplementation, similarly failing to find changes in catecholamine synthesis-associated cortisol across an 8-week resistance training protocol [47]. Nevertheless, the data are mixed on these metabolic effects and it thus remains possible that turkesterone supplementation in our investigation may have decreased cortisol and catecholamines, resulting in the equivocally observed RMR and substrate utilization results [10]. ...
The Effects of Multiple Acute Turkesterone Doses on Indirect Measures of Hypertrophy and Metabolic Measures: A Preliminary Investigation
Article
Full-text available
  • Oct 2024
Turkesterone is a naturally occurring plant steroid touted for its medicinal, pharmacological, and biological properties with no reported adverse side effects compared with traditional anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). However, this ostensible enhancement to increase muscle protein synthesis and facilitate augmented thermogenesis remains undescribed despite uninformed and potentially haphazard consumption. To investigate whether turkesterone enhances insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and resting metabolic rate (RMR), eleven apparently healthy males (23.3 ± 2.2) volunteered to participate in the present study with samples collected pre-, 3H post-, and 24H post-ingestion. Subsequent analyses failed to reveal any significant main condition, time, or interaction main effects for serum IGF-1, RMR, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism (p > 0.05). However, non-significant serum IGF-1 concentrations increased with both turkesterone conditions and remained elevated when compared with placebo. Similarly, RMR remained elevated above baseline across the 3 h assessed. Although these data fail to fully support turkesterone as a potent anabolic supplement, nevertheless, our findings are foundational to persistently tease apart this supplement's purported ergogenic effects and underscore its favorable hemodynamic and gastrointestinal tolerability profile. Future investigations should, therein, aim to assess turkesterone-mediated IGF-1 increases on long-term whole-muscle growth across several training sessions to further substantiate its efficacy on anabolism.
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... In addition, in a WADA-funded study performance-enhancing and anabolic effects were determined in humans (Isenmann et al. 2019). A dose-dependent effect was observed in muscle mass and performance (Isenmann et al. 2019;Wilborn et al. 2006). Moreover, the use of phytosteroids such as ECDY as an alternative to anabolic steroids is recommended by secondary literature (Fahey, 1991;Kampitsch and Zippel, 2016). ...
Examination of the anabolic activity and mechanisms of action of the combination of Diosgenin and Ecdysterone in C2C12 myotubes
Article
Full-text available
  • Oct 2024
  • TOXICOL LETT
Plant steroids such as ecdysterone (ECDY) or diosgenin (DIO) have been associated with anabolic and performance-enhancing effects for years. However, the molecular mechanisms have not yet been extensively studied in skeletal muscle cells. Consequently, the anabolic activity and associated molecular mechanisms of ECDY and DIO alone and in combination were investigated in C2C12 myotubes. Dose-dependent effects of both compounds on myotube diameter, mRNA expression of IGF-1 and PI3KR1 as well as expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) proteins were analyzed in differentiated C2C12 cells. In addition, the binding affinities to androgen and estrogen receptors were analyzed. Treatment with ECDY and DIO significantly induced hypertrophy of C2C12 myotubes. Partially additive effects were observed. This is supported by the mRNA expression of IGF-1 and PI3KR1 as well as in the expression of MHC. However, no clear statement can be made regarding which combination has the strongest additive effects. Besides, the results suggest that, in contrast to ECDY, DIO has antiandrogenic effects and bind on AR. Consequently, it indicates that two different mechanisms of action are activated in ECDY and DIO combinations. However, this must be confirmed in further cell cultures studies and human interventions concerning anti-doping regulations.
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... In contrast, Wilborn et al. examined the effects of methoxyisoflavone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (E), and sulfopolysaccharide (CSP3) on strength and muscle mass 15 . Forty-five resistance-trained males (average age 20.5 years, height 179 cm, weight 84 kg, body fat 17.3%) were matched based on fat-free mass (FFM) and randomly assigned, in a double-blind manner, to receive either a placebo (P), 800 mg/day of methoxyisoflavone, 200 mg/day of 20hydroxyecdysone, or 1,000 mg/day of sulfur-polysaccharide for 8 weeks during their training. ...
A Preliminary Investigation of Turkesterone: It’s Not Deca: Direct Original Research
Article
Full-text available
  • Aug 2024
Introduction: It has been suggested that supplementation with turkesterone, a type of ecdysteroid, may have anabolic properties that promote improvements in body composition. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if four weeks of Turkesterone (500 mg daily dose) supplementation affected body composition in healthy males and females. Methods: Thirty-one active males (n=14) and females (n=17) volunteered for this investigation. Research participants were assessed pre and four weeks post for body composition (i.e., dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). After pre-testing, they were randomized into a placebo (rice flour) or treatment group (i.e., 500 mg per day of turkesterone [Ajuga Extract]). Subjects were instructed to maintain the same diet and exercise habits during the study. Results: The delta scores of the treatment and placebo groups were compared using an independent samples t-test. There were no between-group differences (p>0.05) at baseline for age, height, or body mass. There were no between-group differences in the delta score between the turkesterone and placebo groups in body mass (p=0.38), lean body mass (p=0.68), fat mass (p=0.06), or percent body fat (p=0.14); (Delta score, mean±SD: body mass kg – treatment -0.4±1.8, placebo 0.1±1.8; lean body mass kg - treatment -0.6±1.4, placebo -0.3±1.7; fat mass kg - treatment 0.1±0.6, placebo 0.5±0.6, % fat treatment 0.3±0.6, placebo 0.7±0.9). Conclusions: Four weeks of supplementation with 500 mg of turkesterone did not affect body composition in active, healthy males and females
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... However, the real content of ecdysterone has not been confirmed in analytical testsbased only on the information from the label. [72] One of the most thoroughly conducted studies, performed by Isenmann et al., showed that 10-week supplementation of ecdysterone at 12 mg daily and 48 mg daily in young men contributed to the improvement of anthropometric and performance parameters in the performed exercises. Significantly higher increases in muscle mass were observed in participants dosed with ecdysterone. ...
Ergogenic properties safety evaluation and regulations of selected ingredients in testosterone booster dietary supplements
Article
Full-text available
Testosterone boosters (TB) are multi-ingredient dietary supplements that have gained popularity among athletes and the general population. However, certain ingredients in TB are associated with adverse events. The aim of the present study was to analyze dietary TB supplements available for sale online on shop.bodybuilding.com and amazon.com in ten distribution area markets. We evaluated the top five best-selling TB and the most frequently used ingredients of 50 selected TB and the evidence for their efficacy and safety, as well as legislation, statements in the European Union (EU) and sports organizations such as International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA). Among 50 TB, 361 components and 98 ingredients were identified. The following ingredients were included in the final review: fenugreek, D- aspartic acid (DAA), 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) or indole-3-carbinol (I3C), Eurycoma longifolia, Cordyceps spp., and ecdysteroids. In EU an authorized health claims refer to few ingredients in TB, mainly minerals, vitamins. Some ingredients were recognized by international sports organizations such as the ISSN, AIS, and WADA and some were identified as unauthorized ingredients/novel food in the EU. Selected ingredients can possibly increase the risk of endocrine system dysregulation.
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... Thus, authors strongly suggested the inclusion of ECD in class S1.2 of the WADA prohibited list [8]. Surprisingly, another quite similar study found the opposite result, namely, ECD supplementation had no effect on training adaptation and anabolic/catabolic hormone status [9]. The significant difference can presumably be explained by incorrect labeling, namely, that the real ECD content was much lower than those indicated on the product, as found by Ambrosio et al. [10]. ...
Quantitation of Ecdysterone and Targeted Analysis of WADA-Prohibited Anabolic Androgen Steroids, Hormones, and Metabolic Modulators in Ecdysterone-Containing Dietary Supplements
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2023
The aim of our research was to perform a comprehensive study of ecdysterone (ECD)-containing dietary supplements (DSs). Two analytical methods were optimised according to the expected concentration of the target compounds: quantitation of ECD by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to diode array detector (DAD), and limit test for 47 World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited by LC coupled with tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS). For quantitation of ECD, the method was fully validated with outstanding performance characteristics (LOD: 35 µg·g−1, LOQ: 115 µg·g−1, CV% < 5%), resulting in significantly lower LOD and shorter runtime than published previously. For limit tests, a chromatographic method was developed to obtain excellent separation, while MS/MS parameters were optimised to allow the lowest possible reporting limit (RL: 0.6–10 ng·g−1 or mL−1). Twenty-one ecdysterone-containing DSs from ten brands were analysed. In all cases, the measured ECD content was much lower than labelled, and 20% of the samples contained a prohibited substance. The concentration of ecdysterone and contaminations varied randomly from batch to batch. The developed methods help to prevent the use of contaminated or useless DSs.
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... Also, a structural role of ecdysterone in the mitochondrial membranes was reported [6]. However, positive therapeutic effects of ecdysterone were doubted in the literature [16]. ...
Ecdysterone treatment restores constitutive NO synthesis and alleviates oxidative damage in heart tissue and mitochondria of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2023
Constitutive NO synthases (cNOS) are the primary targets of diabetes mellitus and the impairment of cNOS functioning in cardiovascular system is one of the hallmarks of this disease. The aim of this work was to study the effect of a plant sterol ecdysterone (20-β-hydroxyecdysterone) on the NO synthases functioning and RNS metabolism in heart mitochondria and the heart tissue in the rat model of streptozotocin-induced type I diabetes. Diabetes development resulted in cNOS dysfunction both in heart mitochondria and heart tissue. cNOS activity was dramatically suppressed, but 3-fold and 6-fold rise of iNOS activity was observed in mitochondria and heart tissue respectively. Also, in mitochondria there was ~2.5 time’s increase in urea content and the activity of arginase 2 (ARG2), which could compete with NOS for the common substrate L-arginine. Total RNS production was dramatically elevated in mitochondria of diabetic animals, which well agreed with iNOS activation. Unlike this, in heart tissue dramatic increase of iNOS activity increased the content of nitrosothiols (RSNO), while total RNS production remained close to control. Both in the heart tissue and mitochondria, there was dramatic augmentation of superoxide production that correlated with sharp elevation of iNOS activity and steep rise of diene conjugates (DC) content, which indicated strong lipid oxidation. Ecdysterone treatment resulted in the reduction of iNOS activity and twofold elevation of mtNOS activity as compared to control. However, in the whole heart tissue eNOS was restored only by half of control level, which indicated specific action of ecdysterone on mtNOS isoform. RNS production returned to control in mitochondria, and was by half reduced in the heart tissue, which indicated the abolition of nitrosative stress. Correlation dependence between iNOS activity and superoxide production was found in mitochondria, which could indicate iNOS uncoupling. The restoration of cNOS activity and the reduction of iNOS activity to control level after ecdysterone treatment well correlated with the reduction of superoxide production and indicated possible ‘iNOS re-coupling‘, which resulted in the reduction of DC formation to control level. So, STZ-induced type I diabetes dramatically up-regulated iNOS activity and suppressed cNOS activity. Ecdysterone treatment reduced iNOS activity and restored constitutive NO biosynthesis to control level, which abolished oxidative and nitrosative stress in cardiac mitochondria and heart tissue of STZ-induced diabetic animals. Possible pathways involved in ecdysterone action on constitutive NO biosynthesis were discussed.
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Ecdysterone and Turkesterone—Compounds with Prominent Potential in Sport and Healthy Nutrition
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2024
The naturally occurring compounds ecdysterone and turkesterone, which are present in plants, including Rhaponticum carthamoides Willd. (Iljin), Spinacia oleracea L., Chenopodium quinoa Willd., and Ajuga turkestanica (Regel) Briq, are widely recognized due to their possible advantages for both general health and athletic performance. The current review investigates the beneficial biological effects of ecdysterone and turkesterone in nutrition, highlighting their roles not only in enhancing athletic performance but also in the management of various health problems. Plant-based diets, associated with various health benefits and environmental sustainability, often include sources rich in phytoecdysteroids. However, the therapeutic potential of phytoecdysteroid-rich extracts extends beyond sports nutrition, with promising applications in treating chronic fatigue, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Beneficial Effects of Asparagus officinalis Extract Supplementation on Muscle Mass and Strength following Resistance Training and Detraining in Healthy Males
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Full-text available
  • Sep 2023
The phytoecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is widely used for resistance training (RT). Little is known about its potential ergogenic value and detraining effects post-RT. This study aimed to examine the effects of 20E extracted from Asparagus officinalis (A. officinalis) on muscle strength and mass, as well as anabolic and catabolic hormones following RT and detraining. Twenty males, aged 20.1 ± 1.1 years, were matched and randomly assigned to consume double-blind supplements containing either a placebo (PLA) or 30 mg/day of 20E for 12 weeks of RT and detraining. Before and after RT and detraining, muscle strength and mass and anabolic and catabolic hormones were measured. This study found that 20E reduced cortisol levels significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the PLA, yet no effect was observed on muscle mass, strength, or anabolic hormones after RT. Subsequent to 6 weeks of detraining, the 20E demonstrated a lower percentage change in 1RM bench press/FFM than the PLA (p < 0.05). Compared to the PLA, detraining throughout the 12 weeks resulted in a lower percentage change in thigh (p < 0.05) and chest (p < 0.01) circumferences, as well as reduced cortisol levels (p < 0.01), with 20E. Our findings demonstrate that 20E supplementation is a promising way to maintain muscle mass and strength during detraining. Accordingly, 20E may prevent muscle mass and strength loss due to detraining by lowering catabolic hormone levels.
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Follistatin, an activin-binding protein, associates with heparan sulfate chains of proteoglycans on follicular granulosa cells
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 1991
Follistatin, an activin-binding protein secreted by cultured rat granulosa cells, was shown to associate with the cell surface by affinity labeling with 125I-activin. Addition of follistatin to the cultured cells demonstrated a typical ligand-binding saturation curve, suggesting that granulosa cells have a specific binding site for follistatin. This binding was markedly inhibited by heparin and heparan sulfate, but not by chondroitin sulfates A and C, keratan sulfate, and dermatan sulfate. When granulosa cells were treated with glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes before or after addition of follistatin to the cultures, heparinase and heparitinase treatments resulted in significant suppression of the binding, whereas treatment with chondroitinase ABC had no effect. A competition study of the binding using heparin derivatives demonstrated that follistatin seemed to recognize O-sulfate groups in the heparin molecule. Heparitinase-treated granulosa cells exhibited almost full responsiveness to activin, indicating that the enzyme treatment had no effect on activin and receptor interaction. These results suggest that follistatin/activin-binding protein binds to heparan sulfate side chains of proteoglycans on the granulosa cell surface to regulate the various actions of activin.
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Immunomodulating effects of the hydrolysis products of formosanin C and β-Ecdysone from Paris formosana Hayata
Article
  • Sep 1992
Formosanin C (PF-3, I), a diosgenin glycoside with four sugars isolated from Paris formosana Hayata as main constituent, significantly showed immunomodulating effects on the proliferative response of mouse lymphocytes to concanavalin A (Con A). The partialy hydrolysis products of formosanin C, dioscin (II) and prosapogenin A of dioscin (III), also increased 3H-thymidine incorporation of Con A-stimulated lymphocytes maximally at 0.01 micrograms/ml, whereas formosanin C did so at 0.0001 micrograms/ml. However, trillin (IV) and diosgenin (V) obtained from the partial hydrolysis of formosanin C had no effects on these immune responses. Evidently, the immunomodulating activities increased in the order of increasing polarity. Probably the solubility in water was a factor. This demonstrated that the sugar moiety in the structure of formosanin C (I) displays a very important pattern for the effect on the proliferative response of mouse lymphocytes to Con A. On the other hand, these hydrolysis products at higher concentrations of 1 and 10 micrograms/ml reduced the cytotoxic effects on spleen cells as compared with formosanin C. The other constituent, beta-ecdysone (VI) isolated from the stems of Paris formosana Hayata also increased 3H-thymidine incorporation of Con A-stimulated splenocytes. At the concentration of 0.001 micrograms/ml, the stimulation index of beta-ecdysone (2) is higher than that of formosanin C (1.65), and at the concentration of 100 micrograms/ml, beta-ecdysone had no cytotoxicity for normal spleen cells whereas formosanin C at the lower concentration of 10 micrograms/ml showed cytotoxicity. Based on this study, beta-ecdysone (VI) is therefore a better immunomodulator than formosanin C.
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[Effect of phytoecdysteroids and nerobol on parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and phospholipid spectrum of liver mitochondrial membrane in experimental diabetes mellitus of rats]
Article
  • Jul 1992
Phytoecdysteroids: ecdysterone and turkesterone, introduced orally to male rats with the body mass 180-120 g in a dose of 5 mg/l kg of mass and nerobol in a dose of 10 mg per 1 kg of the mass for 15 days against a background of the developed alloxan diabetes cause a considerable decrease in the content of free fatty acids of the blood serum, sharply increased after the subcutaneous injection of alloxan to the animals (150 mg per 1 kg of the mass). The content of glycogen, malonic dialdehyde, pyruvic acid and calcium transporting function of the liver mitochondria are also normalized. These changes are closely interrelated (and may be mutually conditioned) with the preparation-induced reduction of phospholipid spectrum of the liver mitochondrial membranes pathologically changed owing to insulin insufficiency. In this case phytoecdysteroids in the first turn normalize the fractions of phospholipids which play the structural role in the mitochondrial membranes, and nerobol normalizes the level of minor and monoacylic phospholipids.
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The action of mehandrostenolone and ecysterone on the physical endurance of animals and on protein metabolism in the skeletal muscles
Article
  • Nov 1988
The results of the comparative study on the myotropic activity of methandrostenolone and ecdysterone and their effects on physical endurance of animals suggested that ecdysterone possessing a wider spectrum of the anabolic action on the contractile proteins of the skeletal muscles exerts a more pronounced influence on physical endurance of animals without their preliminary training.
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Action of phytoecdysteroids on the bile-secretory function of the normal liver and in experimental hepatitis
Article
  • May 1986
Phytoecdysteroids from Rhaponticum carthemoides (Willd) Iljin and Ajuga turkestanica (Rgl.) Brig in a dose of 5 mg/kg per os markedly stimulate the bile secretion in normal rats treated with single (cyasterone) and 7-day-long (ecdysterone, cyasterone) administration. The chemical composition of the bile is significantly improved because of increased levels of bile acids and bilirubin and a decreased cholesterol content. Phytoecdysteroids (ecdysterone) exert more beneficial effect on the parameters under study in rats with toxic hepatitis induced by heliotrine.
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[A comparative study of the anabolic action of ecdysten, leveton and Prime Plus, preparations of plant origin]
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  • Sep 1995
A new class of anabolic substances includes different saponins, originated from Leuzea rhaponticum sp. The effect of these substances on the human body was studied by caliperometric measurements of body folds. All tested substances taken orally for three weeks diminished fat content under conditions of daily aerobic-anaerobic training. Ekdisten and Prime Plus (combination of ekdisten and pure protein) elevated the muscle mass. The same effect of leventon was less pronounced. We showed that all substances studied elevated the magnitude of "total work", estimated per 1 kg of body weight. Ekdisten and Prime Plus again appeared to be most efficient. The prospects of using the saponins in sport medicine are discussed.
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Effects of leuzea tincture and leveton on humoral immunity of athletes
Article
  • Nov 1997
The effect of 20-day administration of ectisten-containing tincture of leuzea and leveton on humoral immunity of track and field runners for distances of 5,000 and 10,000 m was studied. Intensive cyclic physical activity induced significant decrease of IgG and IgA in blood serum of the athletes as well as the complement C3 component on the 10th and 20th days. Both drugs contributed to restoration of the lowered IgG, IgA, and C3 concentration. The effect of leveton was more pronounced. The working capacity of the athletes grew by 10 to 15% in this case.
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