Table 3.

Rhaponticum carthamoides studies.

Study Objectives	Study Design	Main Results	References
Evaluation of the effects of an increased dose of Rhaponticum carthamoides during the training process.	Twenty women, aged 25–40 years, participated in the study. There were 12 of them whoreceived 5–15 mg/kg/day ecdysterone; 8 were in controlled group.	Decreased body weight. Increased physical endurance and performance. Improvement of cardiac and cognitive function.	[19]
Examine the effect of ecdysterone-containing products on sport physical exercises.	Forty-six men, aged 25.6 ± 3.7 years, participated in the study. There were 12 participants whohad an intake of 200 mg ecdysterone; 10 participants received 800 mg ecdysterone, 12 participants received the placebo, and 12 of the participants were in the control group—they had an intake of 200 mg ecdysterone without training. Period of study—10 weeks.	Ecdysterone increased body weight, muscle mass. Increased power and strength of performance. Without negative effects on creatinine, glutamate–oxaloacetate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and glutamate–pyruvate transaminase. Did not affect steroid profile.	[59]
Evaluation of the effectiveness of ecdysterone in athletes.	Twenty-six women aged 18–22 years participated in the study. There were 12 participants who received ecdysterone from 37.5 to 50 mg; 14 participants were in the controlled group. Period of study—9 moths.	Increased VO2 lactate, performance activity.	[61]
Evaluation of the effectiveness of ecdysterone from Rhaponticum carthamoides leaves in athletes.	No information—number of participants. The age of the participants ranged between 27–58 years. Participants received 2–3 g Rhaponticum carthamoides tea, infusion, tincture, fermented tea without bitterness. Period of study—15 years.	Increased resistance to disease, physical, and mental endurance.	[62]
Assessment of effects of methoxyisoflavone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, and sulfopolysaccharides intake on training adaptation and markers of muscle anabolism and catabolism.	Forty-five men, aged 20.5 ± 3 years, participated in the study. The participants were divided randomly into four groups: the placebo group, the group that received methoxyisoflavone—800 mg daily, the group that received 20-hydroxyecdysone—200 mg/day, and the group that received sulfo-polysaccharides—1000 mg daily. Period of study—8 weeks.	No change in training adaptation and in anabolic and catabolic effect in training.	[63]
Evaluation of the effects of the combination of Rhaponticum carthamoides and Rhodiola rosea on performance fatigability and reactions before and after training.	Twenty-seven men, aged 22.3 ± 4.1 years, participated in the study. The participants received a 350 mg tablet which contains 70:30 Rhaponticum carthamoides extract and Rhodiola rosea extract, or a tablet containing 175 mg maltodextrin, and 175 mg Rhaponticum carthamoides and Rhodiola rosea extract in ratio 70:30 or placebo.	No change in muscle strength and total work.	[64]