5a Hydroxy Laxogenin
Also known as: 5a Hydroxy Laxogenin, 5-alpha-hydroxy-laxogenin, 5α-Hydroxy-Laxogenin
Overview
5α-Hydroxy-Laxogenin is a synthetic derivative of laxogenin, a plant steroid found in Smilax species. It is widely promoted in dietary supplements as a 'natural' alternative to anabolic steroids, with claims of enhancing muscle growth, strength, and recovery. Despite these marketing claims, there is a significant lack of scientific evidence to support its efficacy or safety in humans. No clinical studies in humans or animals have been published to confirm its purported benefits or assess its safety profile. Furthermore, 5α-Hydroxy-Laxogenin is not recognized as a lawful dietary ingredient by regulatory bodies such as the FDA and is listed on the US Department of Defense Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients list. The existing scientific literature is sparse, consisting primarily of in vitro or computational studies, with no systematic reviews or meta-analyses available to provide comprehensive insights into its effects or risks.
Benefits
There is no high-quality clinical evidence from human studies supporting any benefits of 5α-Hydroxy-Laxogenin. While in vitro studies suggest potential mechanisms, these findings have not been translated or validated in living organisms. Specifically, cell culture studies indicate that 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin may theoretically inhibit myostatin (MSTN) signaling pathways, which are known to negatively regulate muscle growth, and reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in muscle cells, potentially mitigating oxidative stress. However, these are preliminary findings from isolated cell models and molecular docking simulations, which do not equate to clinical efficacy in humans. One in vitro study using a yeast androgen receptor assay found no androgenic activity for 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin, indicating it does not directly activate androgen receptors like traditional anabolic steroids. Therefore, any claims of muscle-building or performance-enhancing benefits are unsubstantiated by robust scientific evidence.
How it works
The proposed mechanisms of action for 5α-Hydroxy-Laxogenin are based solely on in vitro and computational studies, as no human pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic data exist. It is hypothesized to inhibit myostatin signaling, a key pathway that negatively regulates muscle growth. This inhibition is thought to occur by binding to myostatin and reducing downstream SMAD2/3 signaling, which could theoretically lead to increased muscle protein synthesis. Additionally, in vitro studies suggest potential antioxidant effects through the upregulation of NRF2 and SOD2 gene expression, which might reduce oxidative stress in muscle cells. Computational models predict good intestinal absorption (around 97%), but this has not been confirmed in human studies. Importantly, there is no evidence to support direct androgen receptor activation or steroid hormone-like effects, distinguishing it from anabolic steroids.
Side effects
The safety profile of 5α-Hydroxy-Laxogenin in humans is largely unknown due to the complete absence of human safety trials. This lack of data means that potential adverse effects, their severity, and frequency cannot be determined. A significant concern arises from analytical studies of commercial supplements, which have frequently found label inaccuracies and adulteration with undeclared substances, some of which could be harmful or banned. The FDA has issued warnings and placed 5α-Hydroxy-Laxogenin on advisory lists due to concerns regarding its legality and safety. Without toxicity data in humans and unknown long-term effects, caution is strongly warranted. There are no documented drug interactions or contraindications, but this is solely due to the lack of clinical research rather than proven safety. Consumers should be aware that products containing this ingredient may pose unknown health risks, including exposure to undisclosed contaminants.
Dosage
There are no established or scientifically validated dosing guidelines for 5α-Hydroxy-Laxogenin due to the complete absence of human clinical studies. Supplement products on the market typically contain variable amounts of the ingredient, but their purity and actual content are often unreliable and subject to significant inaccuracies or adulteration. While theoretical in vitro effective concentrations have been observed in the nanomolar range (e.g., 10 nM), these findings from cell culture experiments do not translate into safe or effective human dosing recommendations. Without any human pharmacokinetic data, it is impossible to determine appropriate dosage ranges, timing considerations, or different dosages for specific purposes. Furthermore, safe upper limits and toxicity thresholds for human consumption are entirely unknown, making any self-administration highly speculative and potentially risky.
FAQs
Is 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin effective for muscle building?
No, there is no clinical evidence from human studies to support the claim that 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin is effective for muscle building. Research is limited to in vitro studies.
Is 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin safe to use?
The safety of 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin in humans is unknown due to a complete lack of human safety trials. Commercial products may also contain undeclared or harmful substances.
Does 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin act like anabolic steroids?
No, in vitro studies have shown that 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin does not directly activate androgen receptors, unlike anabolic steroids. It does not have steroid hormone-like effects.
Is 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin legal as a dietary ingredient?
No, 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin is not recognized as a lawful dietary ingredient by the FDA and is banned by the US Department of Defense for use in dietary supplements.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9151512/ – This in vitro study used a yeast androgen receptor assay to evaluate the androgenic activity of 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin. The findings indicated that 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin did not activate androgen receptor signaling, unlike dihydrotestosterone (DHT), suggesting it does not exert direct androgenic effects. This high-quality in vitro assay provides mechanistic insight but has limited scope regarding in vivo or clinical outcomes.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11720223/ – This research, involving in vitro cell culture and molecular docking, investigated the potential mechanisms of 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin. It suggested that the compound might inhibit myostatin signaling and reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in muscle cells. Computational predictions also indicated good intestinal absorption. However, the study lacks animal or human data, and its findings are based on in silico predictions and cell models, limiting direct clinical relevance.
- https://www.sciensano.be/sites/default/files/cohen_2020_ld_200022.pdf – This analytical study examined 21 commercial dietary supplements labeled as containing 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin. It revealed frequent adulteration of these products with undeclared substances and highlighted that 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin is not a lawful dietary ingredient. The study raised significant safety concerns regarding the content and regulatory status of these supplements, emphasizing the unreliability of commercial products.
- https://www.opss.org/article/laxogenin-and-5-alpha-hydroxy-laxogenin-dietary-supplements – This source provides an overview of laxogenin and 5-alpha-hydroxy-laxogenin in dietary supplements. It discusses the regulatory status and concerns surrounding these ingredients, particularly their inclusion on prohibited lists by organizations like the DoD. The article underscores the lack of scientific evidence for efficacy and safety, reinforcing the advisory warnings against their use.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1239121/pdf – This article discusses the broader context of plant-derived compounds in sports supplements, including laxogenin and its derivatives. It reinforces the general lack of robust clinical evidence for many such compounds, highlighting the gap between marketing claims and scientific validation. The paper contributes to understanding the regulatory challenges and safety concerns associated with novel ingredients in the supplement market.
