Laxogenin
A plant-derived brassinosteroid/spirostanol saponin marketed as a 'natural anabolic' that supposedly boosts protein synthesis without hormonal action. Despite heavy supplement marketing, there are essentially no human trials, and most sold products are actually a synthetic derivative rather than laxogenin itself.
01 Overview
Laxogenin (5-alpha-hydroxy-spirostanone type) is a spirostanol saponin found in plants such as Smilax. It is promoted as a non-hormonal anabolic that increases protein synthesis and lowers cortisol, drawing loose analogy to plant brassinosteroids that show anabolic effects in animal cell studies.
Human evidence is effectively absent, and oral bioavailability of these saponins is questionable. Much of what is sold as 'laxogenin' is in fact 5-alpha-hydroxy-laxogenin, a semi-synthetic derivative. It is not scheduled as an anabolic steroid because it is non-androgenic, but its legal supplement status is contested.
02 Mechanism
Proposed brassinosteroid-like stimulation of protein synthesis via Akt/mTOR signalling shown in plant/animal cell models; it is not an androgen and does not convert to sex hormones.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Label-typical | 50–100 mg/day | Oral | Common supplement label dose; efficacy unproven. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increased protein synthesis (claimed)Brassinosteroid analogs raise protein synthesis in animal cell studies; no human confirmation for laxogenin. | Unquantified in humans | Preclinical | |
| Non-hormonal profileDoes not act on androgen receptors or convert to sex hormones, so no HPTA suppression is expected. | No androgen conversion | Preclinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown long-term safetyNo human safety data; contaminant risk in unregulated products. | Mild | Unknown | Unconfirmed | |
| Mild GI upsetOccasional nausea reported. | Mild | Uncommon | Anecdotal |