This is a working overview of certificate of analysis, written for readers who want more than a one-paragraph summary but less than a textbook.
This page was last updated on 2026-01-25 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
Several misconceptions surround SR9009. It is often described as a SARM, a steroid, or an exercise pill, but its known target is the REV-ERB receptor family. Rodent studies have examined exercise capacity and metabolic markers, yet human outcomes remain unproven. Oral bioavailability appears low in animals, and human pharmacokinetics are not well characterized. Online products may contain impurities or different compounds, so identity and purity testing are important for research use.
Analytical chemists detect SR9009 with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, commonly abbreviated LC-MS/MS. Sample preparation may involve protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, or solid-phase extraction before analysis. Laboratories can target the parent compound or its metabolites, depending on the matrix and the purpose of testing. Anti-doping methods require sensitive and specific assays because concentrations in biological samples can be low. Reference standards and validated methods are essential for reliable identification and quantification.
Regulatory agencies have not approved SR9009 for human therapeutic use. It is typically sold as a research chemical with labels stating that it is not for human consumption. The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits the substance in sport, generally under the category of non-approved substances. Customs and national laws may restrict importation, sale, or possession. Product quality and legal status can vary by country and vendor, and therapeutic claims are not permitted in regulated advertising because the compound lacks approval.
Mechanistically, SR9009 binds the ligand-binding domain of REV-ERBα/β and enhances recruitment of corepressor complexes. This represses target genes rather than activating them. Because REV-ERB proteins normally compete with ROR proteins at shared response elements, the net effect depends on tissue and timing. Researchers use SR9009 to probe how nuclear receptor signaling links the clock to metabolism, inflammation, and muscle biology. Findings are largely preclinical, and the precise contribution of each receptor subtype remains under study.
SR9009 is frequently discussed in fitness and research-chemical contexts, yet it has no approved medical indication. Regulatory agencies have not authorized it for human use, and it is not a standard prescription drug. Some sports organizations list it as a prohibited substance because of its potential performance-enhancing properties. Published human data are sparse, so claims about its effects in people often rely on animal models or anecdotal reports. Quality and identity of online materials can vary widely.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule studied as a REV-ERB agonist. REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ are nuclear receptors that help regulate circadian rhythms and metabolic gene expression. The compound was identified in academic screening efforts to find synthetic ligands for these receptors. In cell and animal studies, SR9009 alters transcription of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism, and it can shift circadian behavior. It is not an approved therapeutic agent.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory status | Not approved for human use | Research-use-only status in many markets |
| WADA status | Prohibited in sport | Generally listed as a non-approved substance |
| Detection technique | LC-MS/MS | Common for urine and blood analysis |
| Common alias | Stenabolic | Informal market nickname, not a pharmacopoeial name |
| Purity check | HPLC or LC-UV | Independent certificate of analysis is typical |
In laboratory settings, SR9009 is commonly identified by its molecular structure and its interaction with REV-ERB receptors. Vendors may list it under synonyms such as Stenabolic or REV-ERB agonist, but those names do not define purity or identity. Analytical confirmation typically uses high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection or liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. A reference standard is needed to compare retention time and mass spectrum, because the compound can be confused with related research chemicals.
Handling practices for SR9009 focus on minimizing degradation and contamination. The solid is generally stored desiccated at or below -20 °C, protected from light and moisture. Stock solutions are often prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide or ethanol, then aliquoted to avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles. Aqueous solubility is low, so formulations for animal studies may require cosolvents or suspending agents. Personnel should follow institutional chemical safety procedures, because toxicological data for humans are incomplete.
REV-ERB proteins typically suppress gene expression by recruiting corepressor complexes to DNA response elements. SR9009 binds these receptors and strengthens that repressive action in cell-based assays. Studies in rodents have reported changes in lipid handling, mitochondrial function, and exercise capacity after treatment. Such findings are often cited as evidence for metabolic effects, but species differences and limited pharmacokinetic data make direct translation to humans uncertain. Researchers continue to examine which effects are robust and which depend on specific experimental conditions.
SR9009 is frequently discussed alongside other REV-ERB ligands, including synthetic agonists and natural heme-related molecules. Its selectivity for REV-ERB over related nuclear receptors has been measured in binding and reporter assays, though off-target activity at higher concentrations is possible. The compound is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and it is not approved for any medical use in major jurisdictions. Products sold online may be labeled as research chemicals, and their identity and purity are not guaranteed by regulatory review.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule that acts on the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ. These receptors are part of the circadian clock machinery and normally repress transcription of certain target genes. In laboratory research, SR9009 is used as a chemical tool to study how REV-ERB activity influences metabolism, inflammation, and daily biological rhythms. The compound is not an approved medicine, and its effects in humans remain largely uncharacterized. It is often described as an investigational agent rather than a therapeutic product.
Because REV-ERB receptors are core clock components, SR9009 has been examined for effects on daily rhythms as well as metabolism. Research has explored whether the compound can shift or reinforce circadian gene expression in tissues such as liver and muscle. Some studies report improved metabolic markers in obese or diabetic mice, while others show context-dependent responses. Questions remain about which effects are direct, which are secondary to timing, and how they might differ across species.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule studied as an agonist of REV-ERB nuclear receptors. REV-ERB alpha and REV-ERB beta help regulate circadian rhythms and metabolic gene expression. In laboratory research, SR9009 has been used to probe how these receptors affect skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. The compound was identified in academic drug-discovery work and is often described in scientific literature by its chemical name and research code. It is not an approved medicine, and human clinical data remain limited or absent.
SR9009 binds REV-ERB receptors and alters their repressive activity on target genes. This action can change transcription of genes involved in lipid handling, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial function. In rodent studies, treated animals have shown changes in muscle oxidative capacity and exercise performance, though effects vary by dose, duration, and model. The precise molecular steps connecting receptor binding to whole-body outcomes are still an active area of investigation. Findings in animals do not automatically translate to humans.
Stability depends on physical form, temperature, light exposure, and solvent. Solid SR9009 is generally stored cold and dry, with protection from light to limit degradation. Dimethyl sulfoxide stocks are common for laboratory work, but repeated freeze-thaw cycles can reduce compound integrity. Aqueous solutions may be less stable than organic stocks, and the ethyl ester in the structure can be susceptible to hydrolysis under certain conditions. Researchers typically validate storage conditions and recheck purity before quantitative experiments, especially when using archived material.
Regulatory treatment of SR9009 varies by country and region. It is not approved as a pharmaceutical, and several jurisdictions restrict its sale for human consumption. Some authorities classify it as a research chemical, a prescription-only substance, or a prohibited performance-enhancing agent in sport. Purchasers may encounter certificates of analysis, but these documents do not guarantee identity, purity, or legality. In research settings, institutional safety reviews and controlled procurement help ensure that materials are handled under appropriate oversight. The absence of harmonized rules means that legal status can change and requires verification.
=== Isomerization and reformation === Dragan and his colleague were the first to report about isomerization in alkanes. Isomerization and reformation are processes in which straight-chain alkanes are heated in the presence of a platinum catalyst. In isomerization, the alkanes become branched-chain isomers. In other words, it does not lose any carbons or hydrogens, keeping the same molecular weight. In reformation, the alkanes become cycloalkanes or aromatic hydrocarbons, giving off hydrogen as a by-product. Both of these processes raise the octane number of the substance. Butane is the most common alkane that is put under the process of isomerization, as it makes many branched alkanes with high octane numbers.
CPA is a potent competitive antagonist of the androgen receptor (AR), the biological target of androgens such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It was at one time the most potent known AR antagonist of the steroidal antiandrogens, out of hundreds of other compounds. CPA has the highest antiandrogenic activity of any other clinically used progestin. It directly blocks endogenous androgens like testosterone and DHT from binding to and activating the AR, and thus prevents them from exerting their androgenic effects, such as masculinization and prostate gland growth, in the body. A comparative study of binding inhibition to the AR in rat prostate cytosol AR found IC50 values of 3 nM for DHT, 24 nM for cyproterone acetate, and 67 nM for spironolactone.
Setmelanotide, sold under the brand name Imcivree, is a medication used for the treatment of genetic obesity caused by a rare single-gene mutation. The most common side effects include injection site reactions, skin hyperpigmentation (skin patches that are darker than surrounding skin), headache and gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain), among others. Spontaneous penile erections in males and adverse sexual reactions in females have occurred with treatment. Depression and suicidal ideation have also occurred with setmelanotide. Setmelanotide was approved for medical use in the United States in November 2020, and in the European Union in July 2021. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it to be a first-in-class medication.
== Preparation == An aqueous solution of sodium silicate is acidified to produce a gelatinous precipitate that is washed, then dehydrated to produce colorless silica gel. When a visible indication of the moisture content of the silica gel is required, ammonium tetrachlorocobaltate(II) (NH4)2[CoCl4] or cobalt(II) chloride CoCl2 is added. This will cause the gel to be blue when dry and pink when hydrated. Due to a link between the cobalt chloride and cancer, it has been forbidden in Europe for use in silica gel. An alternative indicator is methyl violet, which is orange when dry and green when hydrated.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
The isotope pattern in the spectrum, which is unique for elements that have many natural isotopes, can also be used to identify the various elements present. Once a chemical formula has been matched to the spectrum, the molecular structure and bonding can be identified, and must be consistent with the characteristics recorded by GC–MS. Typically, this identification is done automatically by programs which come with the instrument, given a list of the elements which could be present in the sample. A "full spectrum" analysis considers all the "peaks" within a spectrum. Conversely, selective ion monitoring (SIM) only monitors selected ions associated with a specific substance. This is done on the assumption that at a given retention time, a set of ions is characteristic of a certain compound. This is a fast and efficient analysis, especially if the analyst has previous information about a sample or is only looking for a few specific substances. When the amount of information collected about the ions in a given gas chromatographic peak decreases, the sensitivity of the analysis increases. So, SIM analysis allows for a smaller quantity of a compound to be detected and measured, but the degree of certainty about the identity of that compound is reduced.
== Ethical concerns == Concern over consent of bodies being used in the plastination process has arisen. Over 20 years ago, von Hagens set up a body donation program in Germany and has signed over 9,000 donors into the plastinate program: 531 have already died. The program has reported an average of one body a day being released to the plastination process. About 90% of the donors registered are German. Von Hagens' body donations are now being managed by the Institute for Plastination (IfP) established in 1993.
=== Criminal justice and cannabis legalization === In 2014, Newsom was the only statewide politician to endorse California Proposition 47, legislation that recategorized certain nonviolent offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, including shoplifting, grand theft, and receiving stolen property valued at under $950. Voters passed the measure on November 4, 2014. In July 2015, Newsom released the Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy's final report, which he had convened with the American Civil Liberties Union of California in 2013. The report's recommendations to regulate cannabis were intended to inform a legalization measure on the November 2016 ballot. Newsom supported the resulting measure, Proposition 64, which legalized cannabis use and cultivation for California state residents who are 21 or older. On February 24, 2017, in response to pro-enforcement statements by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, Newsom sent Attorney General Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump a letter urging them not to increase federal enforcement against recreational cannabis firms opening in California. He wrote: "The government must not strip the legal and publicly supported industry of its business and hand it back to drug cartels and criminals ... Dealers don't card kids.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Legality depends on the country and the intended use. In many places it is not approved as a medicine and may be sold only as a research chemical. Importation or possession can be restricted, and sports organizations prohibit it.
Anti-doping laboratories typically use LC-MS/MS to detect SR9009 or its metabolites in urine or blood. The exact assay depends on the laboratory and the testing program. Detection can be challenging because the compound may be rapidly metabolized and present at low levels.
Stenabolic is an informal nickname used in online fitness and research-chemical markets, not an official drug name. It likely references reported effects on endurance in rodent studies. The nickname does not imply approval or proven human benefit.
SR9009 is a synthetic compound investigated as an agonist of the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ. It is used in preclinical research on circadian rhythm and metabolism. It is not an approved drug.