Ecdysteroids are also steroid hormones, and they act as androgens in arthropods. However, the receptors they use to induce these effects in arthropods are not found in humans. While more research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of action of ecdysteroids in mammals, it is clear that they do not bind to mammalian androgen receptors like anabolic androgenic steroids do and therefore do not exert the same effects. This could be a positive thing, since it means that, if ecdysteroids induce muscle growth and improve athletic performance similarly to androgenic steroids, they would do so with far fewer negative side effects.[1][2]
References
- ^Isenmann E, Ambrosio G, Joseph JF, Mazzarino M, de la Torre X, Zimmer P, Kazlauskas R, Goebel C, Botrè F, Diel P, Parr MKEcdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans.Arch Toxicol.(2019 Jul)
- ^Parr MK, Botrè F, Naß A, Hengevoss J, Diel P, Wolber GEcdysteroids: A novel class of anabolic agents?Biol Sport.(2015 Jun)