| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Protein Synthesis In rodent models, ecdysteroids from Rhaponticum carthamoides have shown effects on protein synthesis, and in vitro studies suggest activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in muscle cells without androgen receptor binding. No quality human clinical trials have validated these effects. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | |||
Studies that measured muscle protein synthesis | ||||||
Supplement
Maral root is the plant Rhaponticum carthamoides, traditionally used as an adaptogen and rich in ecdysteroids, plant compounds that seem to influence how muscle cells build protein. The best-supported findings are for stress resilience: in tiny roundworms, the extract and its main compound, 20-hydroxyecdysone, improved heat tolerance and movement, and extended lifespan. The evidence is very limited, though, since it comes mostly from worm, rodent and lab-dish work, with no quality human trials.
Sources: PMID 40332350; PMID 19457517
- Updated
- How we grade
- 2 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade D
- Conditions studied
- 3
- Outcomes
- 4
- Graded outcomes
- 0004
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant Activity A pharmacological review noted antioxidant properties among the broad biological effects of R. carthamoides preparations. A 2025 C. elegans study demonstrated enhanced resistance to paraquat-induced oxidative stress following treatment with maral root extract and 20-hydroxyecdysone. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 2 studies | |||
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stress Resilience In a C. elegans model, maral root extract and its primary ecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone significantly enhanced heat stress resistance and improved motility and chemosensory function in both young and aged organisms. A review of pharmacological research supports traditional adaptogenic use. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 2 studies | |||
Body Composition
- Muscle Protein Synthesis: improves
Aging & Longevity
- Longevity: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longevity A 2025 study in C. elegans found that maral root extract extended both lifespan and healthspan in nematodes, with 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysterone) identified as the primary bioactive compound. This is a very preliminary invertebrate model with no mammalian or human replication. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | |||
Studies that measured longevity | ||||||
Key findings
- Antioxidant ActivityImproves (the measure goes up)
- Stress ResilienceImproves (the measure goes down)
- Muscle Protein SynthesisImproves (the measure goes up)
Shop Maral root
Third-party tested Maral root products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.
- Grade D
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Studies cited
2 studies from PubMed