research chemical is one of those subjects where the details matter more than the headlines. This page pulls together the background, the mechanisms, and the practical points readers ask about most.
Last reviewed on 2026-06-16. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule studied as an agonist of the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ, also called NR1D1 and NR1D2. These receptors help regulate circadian rhythms and metabolic gene programs. The compound was developed for laboratory research, not as an approved therapeutic. Its identity is distinct from steroid hormones and selective androgen receptor modulators. Scientific interest centers on how REV-ERB activation changes gene expression in cells and animal models.
At the molecular level, SR9009 binds the ligand-binding domain of REV-ERB and strengthens recruitment of corepressor proteins such as NCoR and HDAC3. This increases repression of target genes, including Bmal1 and other clock-controlled and metabolic genes. In rodent studies, such changes have been linked to altered lipid handling, glucose metabolism, and energy expenditure. The precise chain of events between receptor binding and whole-body effects remains an active area of research. Findings in animals do not automatically translate to humans.
SR9009 is supplied as a solid research chemical, often in milligram quantities. Laboratories typically weigh it in a controlled environment because fine powders can disperse. Stock solutions are commonly prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide and stored in small aliquots to reduce freeze-thaw cycles. Personal protective equipment and chemical fume hoods are standard when handling unknown or potent compounds. These practices address laboratory safety rather than human use.
Identity and purity of SR9009 samples are usually checked with chromatographic and spectrometric methods. High-performance liquid chromatography can separate the compound from related impurities, while mass spectrometry provides molecular mass confirmation. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy may be used for structural verification in research settings. No single method proves biological activity, and certificates of analysis should be reviewed alongside raw data. Independent testing is often needed because online products vary widely.
SR9009 stability depends on temperature, moisture, light, and solvent. Solid material is generally kept cool and dry, while solutions may require protection from repeated warming and cooling. Degradation can appear as color changes, precipitate, or new chromatographic peaks. Researchers should follow supplier instructions and their own stability data. Long-term storage conditions for human use have not been established because the compound lacks approved clinical formulation.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical class | Synthetic small molecule | Studied as a REV-ERB agonist |
| Molecular formula | C20H24ClN3O4S | Reported for the neutral compound |
| Appearance | Off-white to pale yellow solid | Typical research-grade material |
| Solubility | Sparingly soluble in water | Soluble in solvents such as DMSO |
| Common synonyms | SR9009; Stenabolic | Stenabolic is an informal alias |
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.
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.
Regulatory treatment of SR9009 varies by country and context. It is not approved as a therapeutic drug by agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency. Sports authorities list it as a prohibited substance; the World Anti-Doping Agency classifies it among hormone and metabolic modulators. Legal status for personal possession or sale differs across jurisdictions, and some countries may restrict it under analog or research chemical laws. Buyers who seek verified material often rely on independent laboratory testing because online product labels may not match contents.
Laboratory samples of SR9009 are typically handled as research chemicals rather than pharmaceuticals. Suppliers usually state that the material is for research use only and not for human or veterinary administration. Storage recommendations generally call for a freezer at approximately −20 °C, protection from light, and a desiccated environment. The solid is often described as a white to off-white powder. Solubility is commonly reported in organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and ethanol, with low solubility in water.
Analytical identification and purity assessment often use high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection or mass spectrometry. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry is used to detect and quantify SR9009 in biological matrices, including urine and blood, for anti-doping or pharmacokinetic studies. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy can confirm molecular structure. Stability depends on form and storage: the solid is generally more stable than solutions, and repeated freeze–thaw cycles may degrade samples. Purity is typically reported as a percentage from a certificate of analysis.
Pharmacokinetic data for SR9009 are limited in published literature. Some reports indicate low oral bioavailability and rapid clearance in animals, which complicates interpretation of exposure and effect. Researchers often use injected routes in preclinical work to achieve measurable systemic levels. Analytical studies rely on mass spectrometry to detect the parent compound and its metabolites. Questions about tissue distribution, active metabolites, and long-term consequences remain open. Species differences in metabolism can affect observed half-life and target engagement.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule studied as an agonist of the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ. These receptors help regulate circadian rhythms and metabolic gene expression. In laboratory experiments, SR9009 binds these receptors and alters transcription of genes involved in lipid handling, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial function. It is not a naturally occurring compound and has no approved therapeutic use. Research interest stems from its ability to modify energy metabolism in cells and animal models.
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.
== Overview == The metabolic processes of all organisms can only take place in very specific physical and chemical environments. The conditions vary with each organism, and also with whether the chemical processes take place inside the cell or in the interstitial fluid bathing the cells. The best-known homeostatic mechanisms in humans and other mammals are regulators that keep the composition of the extracellular fluid (or the "internal environment") constant, especially with regard to the temperature, pH, osmolality, and the concentrations of sodium, potassium, glucose, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. However, a great many other homeostatic mechanisms, encompassing many aspects of human physiology, control other entities in the body. Where the levels of variables are higher or lower than those needed, they are often prefixed with hyper- and hypo-, respectively such as hyperthermia and hypothermia or hypertension and hypotension.
=== Undercover Officer Damages === The undercover officer known as "Lizzie James" involved in the attempt to obtain evidence in the original investigation by befriending him took early retirement from the Metropolitan Police force in 1998. With the support of the Police Federation, she sued the Metropolitan Police for damages arising from the investigation claiming that the case ruined her career. In 2001, shortly before it was due to be heard, her case was settled out of court and she received £125,000. Her solicitor said: "The willingness of the Metropolitan Police to pay substantial damages must indicate their recognition that she sustained serious psychiatric injury". The payout was widely criticised by various sources, particularly as Nickell's son had been granted £22,000 (less than a fifth of the amount paid to the undercover detective) from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
2005: "Annual Sarkar Lecture" was established in Sarkar's honor to invite distinguished scientists to give lectures in the Research Institute of SickKids. 2006: Priyadaranjan Ray Memorial Award from the Indian Chemical Society. 2008: Visiting Professor, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 2010: Fellow of IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry). 2010: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, U.K. (FRSC (UK)). 2020: Sarkar Symposium, a celebration honoring Sarkar's 55 year career at SickKids. 2024: Order of Canada
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
=== Steroid structure === Hodgkin was particularly noted for discovering three-dimensional biomolecular structures. In 1945, working with C.H. (Harry) Carlisle, she published the first such structure of a steroid, cholesteryl iodide (having worked with cholesteryls since the days of her doctoral studies).
On 3 January 1945, the 82nd Airborne Division conducted a counterattack. On the first day's fighting the 82nd Airborne overran the 62nd Volksgrenadiers and the 9th SS Panzer's positions capturing 2,400 prisoners. The 82nd Airborne suffered high casualties in the process. The attached 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion was all but destroyed during these attacks. Of the 826 men who went into the Ardennes, only 110 came out. Having lost its charismatic leader Lt. Colonel Joerg, and almost all its men either wounded, killed, or frostbitten, the 551 was never reconstituted. The few soldiers who remained were later absorbed into units of the 82nd Airborne. After several days of fighting, the destruction of the 62nd Volksgrenadiers, and what had been left of the 9th SS Panzer Division was complete. For the 82nd Airborne Division the first part of the Battle of the Bulge had ended.
=== Gas cloud composition === Apart from MIC, based on laboratory simulation conditions, the gas cloud most likely also contained chloroform, dichloromethane, hydrogen chloride, methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, and carbon dioxide that was either present in the tank or was produced in the storage tank when MIC, chloroform, and water reacted. The gas cloud, composed mainly of materials denser than air, stayed close to the ground and spread in a southeast direction affecting the nearby communities. The chemical reactions may have produced a liquid or solid aerosol. Laboratory investigations by CSIR and UCC scientists failed to demonstrate the presence of hydrogen cyanide.
=== Multiple sclerosis symptoms === Spasticity. Based on the results of three high-quality trials and five of lower quality, oral cannabis extract was rated as effective, and THC as probably effective, for improving people's subjective experience of spasticity. Oral cannabis extract and THC both were rated as possibly effective for improving objective measures of spasticity. Nabiximols likely effectively reduces the severity of spasticity in the short‐term. Centrally mediated pain and painful spasms. Based on the results of four high-quality trials and four low-quality trials, oral cannabis extract was rated as effective, and THC as probably effective in treating central pain and painful spasms. Bladder dysfunction. Based on a single high quality study, oral cannabis extract and THC were rated as probably ineffective for controlling bladder complaints in multiple sclerosis.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
SR9009 is a synthetic research compound that activates the REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ nuclear receptors. It is not an approved drug and has no established human therapeutic use. Most published biological data come from cell and rodent studies.
No. SR9009 is frequently mislabeled as a SARM in online discussions, but it does not target androgen receptors. Its known mechanism involves REV-ERB nuclear receptors and circadian-metabolic gene regulation.
Human clinical data are very limited. There is no approved human use, and safety and efficacy in people are not established. Most evidence comes from preclinical models, so effects observed in animals may not apply to humans.
Laboratories commonly use liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to detect SR9009. The method can identify the compound and estimate concentration in a sample. Detection limits depend on the matrix and instrument.