Ecdysterone and the Liver and Kidneys: Is It Safe?
Ecdysterone, a plant steroid found in spinach and quinoa, has been marketed for decades as a "natural anabolic" that builds muscle without the risks of steroids. A widely discussed German study in 2019 revived interest, and the substance is now on the World Anti-Doping Agency's monitoring list. A frequent question from readers is whether it puts strain on the liver or kidneys. Our editorial team reviews the evidence.
What ecdysterone is
Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone) belongs to the ecdysteroids, hormones that control moulting in insects. Many plants produce them as a defence against insect pests. Rich sources used for supplements include Cyanotis arachnoidea, Rhaponticum carthamoides (maral root) and spinach.
Although it is a steroid, ecdysterone does not bind meaningfully to the androgen receptor. Parr and colleagues suggested that its anabolic effect in muscle cells and animals is mediated through oestrogen receptor beta. Its biological profile is therefore quite distinct from testosterone and synthetic anabolic steroids.
Dinan and Lafont's review describes a wide range of effects in mammals reported in experimental studies, including on protein synthesis, glucose metabolism and lipids, most of which come from animal or cell work.
In the UK, ecdysterone-containing products are sold as food supplements. They are not licensed medicines and have not been evaluated by the MHRA for efficacy or safety.
What human studies show
The key human study is by Isenmann and colleagues, published in 2019. Young men followed a 10-week resistance training programme while taking an ecdysterone-containing supplement or placebo. The ecdysterone groups showed larger gains in muscle mass and bench press performance than placebo.
Importantly for this article, the researchers also measured markers of liver and kidney function and reported no increase in biomarkers of liver or kidney toxicity over the study. The same group noted that the effect size prompted them to recommend that WADA consider the substance.
Earlier work by Wilborn and colleagues found no significant effect of ecdysterone on body composition or strength in resistance-trained men, illustrating that results are not consistent. Differences in product quality, dose and study design may explain the discrepancy.
Overall, the human evidence base consists of a small number of short studies in healthy young men. That is too little to rule out rare adverse effects or to say anything about long-term use.
Liver and kidneys: what we know and do not know
Unlike 17α-alkylated oral anabolic steroids, ecdysterone lacks the chemical modification responsible for their characteristic liver toxicity, such as cholestasis. This is a structural reason to expect a gentler profile, and animal studies have generally reported low acute toxicity.
The short human trials did not detect changes in standard liver enzymes or kidney markers such as creatinine. However, these studies were not designed or powered to detect uncommon idiosyncratic reactions, which are often the main concern with herbal products.
Product quality introduces another uncertainty. Ambrosio and colleagues analysed commercial ecdysterone supplements and found that labelled and actual contents often differed considerably, with some products containing far less than claimed. Inaccurate labelling means users cannot be sure what dose — or what other substances — they are taking.
Readers frequently ask us about Testosterone Enanthate 250 mg Hilma Biocare.
Herbal and dietary supplements as a group are a recognised cause of drug-induced liver injury, sometimes because of contamination or adulteration with undeclared pharmaceuticals. This risk applies to "natural anabolic" products in particular, where adulteration with real steroids has been documented in the broader market.
| Question | Current answer |
|---|---|
| Liver toxicity in short trials? | Not observed in available studies |
| Kidney markers in short trials? | No significant changes reported |
| Long-term safety? | Unknown |
| Label accuracy? | Often poor in tested products |
| Risk of adulteration? | Possible, as with other "natural anabolics" |
Who should avoid it and anti-doping status
Given the lack of data, the following groups should avoid ecdysterone or use it only with medical advice:
- people with existing liver or kidney disease;
- pregnant or breastfeeding women;
- people with hormone-sensitive conditions, given the proposed oestrogen receptor beta mechanism;
- people with diabetes on glucose-lowering medicines, as animal studies suggest effects on glucose metabolism;
- adolescents.
Ecdysterone has been included in the WADA monitoring programme, which tracks substances that are not prohibited but whose patterns of use are being assessed. Its status could change, and competitive athletes should check the current list before using any product. Contamination with prohibited substances is a further risk.
If you take ecdysterone and develop symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, unusual tiredness, abdominal pain or reduced urine output, stop the product and see a doctor promptly. Tell the clinician about all supplements you use.
Anyone planning to use it for a longer period may find it reassuring to have baseline and follow-up liver and kidney blood tests through their GP.
Conclusions of the editorial team
On current evidence, ecdysterone has not shown liver or kidney toxicity in short human trials, and its chemistry differs from that of hepatotoxic oral steroids. That is encouraging, but it is not the same as proof of long-term safety.
The biggest practical risks lie in poor label accuracy, possible adulteration and the absence of data in women, older adults and people with existing illness.
A cautious approach — choosing tested products, avoiding use if you have liver or kidney disease, and monitoring blood tests if using it for long periods — is sensible.
You may also want to read our articles on supplement-induced liver injury, interpreting creatinine in muscular athletes and the WADA monitoring programme.
References
- Isenmann E, Ambrosio G, Joseph JF, et al. Ecdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans. Arch Toxicol. 2019;93(7):1807–1816.
- Parr MK, Zhao P, Haupt O, et al. Estrogen receptor beta is involved in skeletal muscle hypertrophy induced by the phytoecdysteroid ecdysterone. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2014;58(9):1861–1872.
- Dinan L, Lafont R. Effects and applications of arthropod steroid hormones (ecdysteroids) in mammals. J Endocrinol. 2006;191(1):1–8.
- Wilborn CD, Taylor LW, Campbell BI, et al. Effects of methoxyisoflavone, ecdysterone, and sulfo-polysaccharide supplementation on training adaptations in resistance-trained males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2006;3(2):19–27.
- Ambrosio G, Wirth D, Joseph JF, et al. How reliable is dietary supplement labelling? Experiences from the analysis of ecdysterone supplements. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2020;177:112877.
- Báthori M, Tóth N, Hunyadi A, Márki A, Zádor E. Phytoecdysteroids and anabolic-androgenic steroids: structure and effects on humans. Curr Med Chem. 2008;15(1):75–91.
