Benefits
Testosterone increase in young men
In 120 healthy young men aged 21-35 over 56 days, Tesnor at 400 mg/day significantly increased both free and total serum testosterone vs placebo. The 200 mg/day dose was less effective, establishing 400 mg/day as the optimal dose. Secondary outcomes included increased dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and cortisol — all within healthy ranges, indicating active steroidogenesis support.
Aging male symptoms reduction (middle-aged men)
In 120 middle-aged men aged 36-55 over 56 days, Tesnor at 400 mg/day significantly reduced Aging Male Symptoms (AMS) scale scores vs placebo. AMS captures psychological, somatic-vegetative, and sexual domains of male age-related symptoms. The pivotal trial is registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2019/02/017506) and published in peer-reviewed literature.
Sexual function improvement (aging males)
In 120 older adult males aged 40-70 with low sexual desire and mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction over 84 days, Tesnor at 400 mg/day significantly enhanced sexual function vs placebo. Demonstrates effects extend beyond serum testosterone levels to clinical sexual health outcomes — the most relevant endpoint for aging males using the supplement. Published in International Journal of Medical Sciences.
Muscle strength and arm circumference increase
Secondary outcomes in the young men's trial included increased handgrip strength and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) in the 400 mg/day Tesnor group vs placebo. Participants performed 40 minutes of aerobic exercise 4 days/week during the trial — Tesnor amplified exercise-induced muscle adaptations. Practical relevance for athletes and active middle-aged men combining supplementation with training.
Increased luteinizing hormone (LH)
Across the trials, Tesnor increased serum luteinizing hormone (LH) — the pituitary signal that drives testicular testosterone production. This indicates upstream HPG axis stimulation rather than mere peripheral testosterone increase. Mechanistically distinguishes Tesnor from exogenous testosterone (which suppresses LH and shrinks testes long-term).
Free from banned substances
Tesnor is free from substances banned by major athletic governing bodies (WADA-style screening), making it suitable for athletes — though athletes should still verify with their sport's specific governing body before use. Plant-derived testosterone support without the regulatory and health concerns of prohormones, designer steroids, or SARMs.
Dual mechanism: stimulation + aromatase inhibition
In-vitro work demonstrates Tesnor activates CYP17A1 in mouse Leydig cells (the testicular cells that produce testosterone), increasing in-cell testosterone synthesis. Additionally inhibits aromatase (the enzyme converting testosterone to estrogen). This dual mechanism raises useful testosterone while limiting peripheral estrogen conversion — a meaningful pharmacological distinction from single-mechanism testosterone supplements.
Mechanism of action
CYP17A1 activation in Leydig cells
In-vitro studies in mouse Leydig cells (the testicular cells that synthesize testosterone) demonstrate Tesnor activates CYP17A1 — a key steroidogenic enzyme converting pregnenolone and progesterone to androgenic precursors. This mechanism increases intracellular testosterone production at the source rather than peripheral redistribution.
Aromatase inhibition
Tesnor inhibits aromatase — the enzyme that converts testosterone to estradiol. This dual mechanism (stimulating testosterone production while reducing its conversion to estrogen) increases the testosterone-to-estrogen ratio. Pomegranate-derived punicalagins have documented aromatase-inhibiting activity in preclinical models.
HPG axis stimulation via LH increase
The trials documented increased luteinizing hormone (LH) alongside testosterone increases. LH is the pituitary signal that drives testicular testosterone production. This upstream HPG axis stimulation distinguishes Tesnor from exogenous testosterone (which suppresses LH and atrophies testes over time).
Punicalagin and theobromine — characterized bioactives
Punicalagins (from pomegranate) and theobromine (from cocoa) are the characterized bioactive markers. Punicalagins are large polyphenols with documented antioxidant, anti-aromatase, and androgenic-supportive effects in preclinical research. Theobromine is a mild stimulant alkaloid related to caffeine with cardiovascular and mood effects.
Antioxidant support for Leydig cell function
Pomegranate polyphenols are among the most potent dietary antioxidants identified. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to age-related Leydig cell dysfunction and testosterone decline. Antioxidant support of testicular tissue function provides a complementary mechanism alongside the direct steroidogenic effects.
Clinical trials
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled three-arm trial of Tesnor (LN18178) at 200 mg/day, 400 mg/day, or placebo for 56 days in healthy young men. All participants performed 40 minutes of aerobic exercise 4 days/week. Outcomes: serum free and total testosterone (primary), DHT, estradiol, LH, cortisol, handgrip strength, MUAC. Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements 2022.
120 healthy young men aged 21-35 years. 56-day intervention with concurrent aerobic exercise.
Tesnor 400 mg/day significantly increased free and total serum testosterone vs placebo. Higher dose group also showed increased luteinizing hormone, dihydrotestosterone, handgrip strength, and mid-upper arm circumference. The 200 mg dose was less effective, establishing 400 mg/day as the optimal clinical dose for subsequent trials.
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled three-arm trial of Tesnor at 200 mg/day, 400 mg/day, or placebo for 56 days in middle-aged men. Registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2019/02/017506). Primary outcome: Aging Male Symptoms (AMS) scale; secondary: testosterone, hormones, handgrip strength, PSS-10 stress scale.
120 healthy middle-aged men aged 36-55 years. 56-day intervention.
Tesnor 400 mg/day significantly reduced Aging Male Symptoms (AMS) scale scores vs placebo. AMS captures psychological, somatic-vegetative, and sexual symptom domains. Concurrent increases in serum testosterone validated the mechanism in this older population. Established Tesnor's primary commercial use case for testosterone decline-associated symptoms in middle-aged men.
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 84-day trial of Tesnor at 400 mg/day in older adult males with low sexual desire and mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction. Published in International Journal of Medical Sciences (January 2025). Most recent and clinically focused of the Tesnor trial portfolio.
120 older adult men aged 40-70 years with low sexual desire and mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction. 84-day intervention.
Tesnor 400 mg/day enhanced sexual function vs placebo across the 84-day protocol. Demonstrates effects extend beyond serum testosterone biomarkers to clinical sexual health outcomes — the most consumer-relevant endpoint. Strongest single-trial evidence for Tesnor's aging male sexual health positioning. Future research in fertility was recommended by the authors.