GW-501516 Cardarine 10 mg 60 capsules

One Peptides GW-501516 Cardarine – chemical reagent for laboratory tests

Research reagent for laboratory use only. Not for human or veterinary use, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes.

Batch-level quality documentation is available through the central HPLC/COA methodology & batch lookup page.

Related categories and reagents: In the context of this area of ​​research, it is also worth comparing Stenabolic SR-9009.

Cardarine vs SR-9009. Both compounds are discussed in exercise-metabolism research, but they have different molecular targets and different evidence bases. GW-501516 (cardarine) is an agonist of the nuclear receptor PPAR-delta, a transcription factor regulating fatty-acid oxidation; its clinical development was discontinued in 2007. SR-9009 (stenabolic) is an agonist of REV-ERB proteins involved in the circadian clock. Its evidence comes almost entirely from rodent models, with very low oral bioavailability reported as an additional limitation. The aerobic-performance literature more often discusses cardarine, whereas circadian-metabolism research more often discusses SR-9009.

GW-501516 (Cardarine) vs SR-9009 (Stenabolic). They are compared because both appear in studies of skeletal-muscle metabolism, but they target two different nuclear proteins. GW-501516 (453.50 g/mol, CAS 317318-70-0) is described as an agonist of PPARβ/δ. SR-9009 (437.94 g/mol, CAS 1379686-30-2) is described as an agonist of REV-ERB, a receptor associated with circadian-rhythm regulation. Neither is a SARM; they do not bind the androgen receptor, even though they appear alongside ostarine in price lists. Their similar molar masses are coincidental, not evidence of a relationship. The 2026 WADA Prohibited List names PPARδ agonists, including GW1516/GW501516, as prohibited substances.

General characteristics of the compound

One Peptides GW-501516 Cardarine is a small-molecule research material from the group of PPARβ/δ receptor agonists, not a consumer product. The description covers only chemical identity, physicochemical parameters, quality control, interactions with the nuclear receptor, and data from cellular and animal models.

The manufacturer’s official trade designation indicates the variant 10 mg and packaging including 60 solid units. This format requires a neutral language. From the laboratory’s point of view, it does not describe the form of administration, but the source material for the preparation of extracts, validation of HPLC/LC-MS methods and studies on the expression of PPARβ/δ-dependent genes.

GW-501516, also known as cardarine or GW1516, is one of the most recognizable compounds in the area of ​​metabolic modulators. At the same time, it is one of the molecules for which a good product data sheet must take into account not only the receptor mechanism, but also toxicological limitations, development controversies and the current anti-doping status. Under the WADA list effective January 1, 2026, PPARδ agonists, including GW1516/GW501516, remain banned from sport at all times.

GW-501516 is a synthetic agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta, or PPARβ/δ. This receptor belongs to the family of nuclear receptors and, upon binding a ligand, forms a heterodimer with RXR and then binds PPRE sequences in DNA. As a result, there are changes in the expression of genes related to lipid catabolism, fatty acid transport, mitochondrial energy management and selected inflammatory axes.

This is not a SARM and should not be mixed with androgen receptor modulators. From a scientific point of view, GW-501516 is a tool for research on muscle metabolism, cholesterol transport, expression of PGC-1α, CPT-1, PDK4 and other genes controlled by PPARβ/δ. At the same time, the literature does not provide the basis for a simple, one-dimensional description. Some models show increased lipid catabolism and a change in the metabolic program, and some studies point to undesirable signals in the area of ​​carcinogenesis and immunomodulation.

What is GW-501516?

GW-501516 is a small molecule PPARβ/δ ligand described in the literature as a compound with high receptor selectivity. The full chemical name used in the reference documentation is:

2-(2-methyl-4-(((4-methyl-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)thiazol-5-yl)methyl)sulfanyl)phenoxy)acetic acid

Identification data

Such data is of practical importance. GW-501516 is sometimes confused with other metabolism modulators, including AICAR or compounds from other receptor classes. Such imprecision cannot be afforded in the laboratory, especially when the material is to be used for LC-MS validation or for comparisons with other PPAR agonists.

Structure and physicochemical properties

The structure of GW-501516 includes a phenoxyacetate ring, a thioether fragment, a heterocyclic thiazole ring and a trifluoromethyl moiety. This architecture gives the molecule a marked lipophilicity and promotes binding to the hydrophobic pocket of the PPARβ/δ receptor. Chemically, this has two important consequences: the compound works well in selected organic solvents and requires careful transfer to more aqueous environments.

In the reference materials, GW-501516 is described as a solid substance compatible with DMSO and DMF, and less compatible with purely aqueous systems. For laboratories testing material packaged in solid units, this means the need to confirm the recovery of the compound from the carrier and then prepare the extract in accordance with the requirements of a given cellular or chromatographic test.

Solubility and material recovery

The most practical question with this product is not “what is on the label”, but “how much of the main compound is actually recovered by the laboratory after extraction”. In the case of material packaged in 60 solid units, the result is influenced by:

• type of excipients,
• solvent used for extraction,
• mixing and sonication time,
• sample preparation temperature,
• adsorption of the compound to the surface of the vessels.

This is why a good reagent card should not only talk about GW-501516 itself, but also about the need to validate recovery from the solid matrix.

Storage and laboratory handling

For the GW-501516 standard, reference materials most often suggest storing it in cool, dry and light-protected conditions. After preparing the working extract, the stability depends on the solvent used and the time between preparation and analysis. From a practical point of view, it is advantageous to prepare small working portions and avoid long exposure of the sample to room temperature.

When working with solid material, nitrile gloves, safety glasses, accurate batch number marking and maintaining a clean work surface remain standard. If the material is to be used for cell culture, the laboratory should simultaneously control the influence of the solvent and carrier on the tested model.

Mechanism of action at the molecular level

After binding to PPARβ/δ, GW-501516 stabilizes the active conformation of the receptor, which promotes the regulation of the transcription of genes responsible for the use of fatty acids, mitochondrial metabolism and selected elements of lipid homeostasis. In the nuclear system, the receptor usually acts as a heterodimer with RXR and affects PPRE sequences, changing the expression pattern in the cell.

Lipid-metabolism gene-expression models

Preclinical studies suggest that GW-501516 can influence PPARbeta/delta-linked gene-expression programs connected with lipid catabolism and mitochondrial markers. In L6 myotube research, authors reported changes in PGC-1alpha and CPT-1 expression while also noting model-specific limits around glucose-utilization and insulin-signaling endpoints. This should be read as mechanistic cell-model context, not as a human-performance claim.

Cholesterol-transport and ApoA-I models

Earlier PPARdelta agonist work also examined cholesterol-transport markers and apolipoprotein A-I expression. For laboratories, this belongs to lipid-metabolism model selection and endpoint planning rather than consumer outcome language.

Limitations and adverse signals in cancer models

This toxicological section should be read before any metabolic interpretation. In models of inflammatory intestinal carcinogenesis and in more recent studies on tumor immune escape, it has been observed that GW-501516 can enhance the expression of genes promoting tumor progression and affect the tumor microenvironment. This does not mean that each model responds identically or that the oncological profile is simple. However, it means that the experiment with GW-501516 should include not only metabolic readings, but also a critical toxicological and biological assessment.

Research context and laboratory endpoints

1. Models of muscle cells

GW-501516 is used to study the expression of PGC-1α, CPT-1, PDK4 and other genes related to lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function in muscle cells.

2. Lipid metabolism and cholesterol transport

The PPARbeta/delta receptor remains an important target in projects analyzing lipid-metabolism markers, cholesterol-turnover models and transport-protein expression.

3. Anti-doping analysis

GW-501516 is an important analyte in LC-MS/MS methods for the detection of metabolic modulators. The current 2026 WADA list still lists PPARδ agonists, including GW1516/GW501516, as banned compounds at all times.

4. Toxicology and experimental oncology

Due to publications showing the intensity of selected pathways promoting cancer progression, the compound is also used in toxicological studies and cancer models.

5. Analytical chemistry of packaged materials

The One Peptides variant can be used to compare the recovery of a compound from a solid material, assess the impact of the carrier on chromatography, and validate homogeneity between packaging units.

Interpretive limitations

When dealing with GW-501516, interpretation discipline must be maintained for three reasons. Firstly, some publications show a very selective receptor profile and a strong shift in cell metabolism, but this does not automatically translate into every model. Secondly, toxicological data and some cancer studies require caution in drawing conclusions. Thirdly, material packaged in solid units requires validation of recovery and purity, not just reading the label.

In practice, a good product card should consistently separate:

• data confirmed for pure GW-501516,
• data resulting from research on specific cell and animal models,
• and batch parameters of a specific One Peptides product.

Summary

One Peptides GW-501516 Cardarine is a RUO chemical reagent from the group of PPARβ/δ agonists, commercially designated as the 10 mg variant in 60 solid units. From a scientific point of view, the most important areas of its use include metabolic gene transcription, lipid catabolism, mitochondrial function, LC-MS/MS analytics and toxicological studies.

At the same time, it is a compound whose description cannot stop at the receptor mechanism alone. In addition to PPARβ/δ data, the literature requires that biological constraints, risk signals in selected cancer models, and current status on the WADA list be taken into account. Only such an approach provides a product card that is useful for the laboratory and consistent with the real state of knowledge.

Science FAQ

Is GW-501516 a SARM?

NO. GW-501516 is an agonist of PPARβ/δ, a nuclear receptor that regulates the expression of metabolic genes.

How to distinguish GW-501516 from other metabolic modulators?

The surest way is to check the CAS number, molar mass, summary formula and confirm the identity by HPLC and LC-MS.

Why does a product in the form of 60 solid units require additional inspection?

Because, in addition to the compound itself, it may contain a carrier that affects the recovery, chromatography and homogeneity of the prepared extract.

What pathways are most often explored using GW-501516?

The most frequently analyzed are the expression of PPARβ/δ-dependent genes, lipid catabolism, mitochondrial function and selected axes related to cholesterol transport.

How to store GW-501516 in the laboratory?

The most practical conditions are cool, dry and protected from light, in accordance with the batch documentation and the protocol for preparing the working extract.

The most important research conclusions

• GW-501516 is a small molecule PPARβ/δ agonist with well-described chemical and receptor identity.
• An increase in the expression of genes related to fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial function was observed in muscle cell models.
• Data from L6 myotubes should be read as lipid-metabolism gene-expression context, not as evidence for a simple consumer-performance interpretation.
• Signals suggesting the need for extended toxicological evaluation have been published in selected inflammatory and cancer models.
• The WADA list effective January 1, 2026 continues to include PPARδ agonists, including GW1516/GW501516.

Related research: how SARMs and metabolic modulators work in research · GW-501516 (Cardarine) in research · GW-501516 research reagents