![]() | |
Clinical data | |
---|---|
Trade names | Frideron, Ralabol, Ralgro, Ralone, Zerano |
Other names | Zearanol; α-Zearalanol; Zearalanol; MK-188; P-1496 |
Routes of administration | By mouth |
Drug class | Nonsteroidal estrogen |
Identifiers | |
| |
CAS Number | |
PubChemCID | |
ChemSpider |
|
UNII | |
ChEMBL | |
CompTox Dashboard(EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.043.411![]() |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C18H26O5 |
Molar mass | 322.401 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| |
| |
![]() ![]() |
Zeranol (INNTooltip International Nonproprietary Name,USANTooltip United States Adopted Name,BANTooltip British Approved Name) (brand namesFrideron,Ralabol,Ralgro,Ralone,Zerano; developmental code namesMK-188,P-1496), orzearanol, also known asα-zearalanol or simplyzearalanol, is asyntheticnonsteroidal estrogen of theresorcylic acid lactone group related tomycoestrogens found infungi in theFusariumgenus and is used mainly as ananabolicagent inveterinary medicine.[1][2][3]
Zeranol is approved for use as a growth promoter in livestock, including beef cattle, under the brand nameRalgro (byMerck Animal Health) in theUnited States.[4] InCanada, it is approved for use in beef cattle only.[5] Its application is not approved for use in theEuropean Union. However, it is marketed under the brand nameRalone inSpain.[2]
Although zeranol may increase cancer cell proliferation in already existingbreast cancer,[6] dietary exposure from the use of zeranol-containing implants in cattle is insignificant.[7] Zeranol may be found as a contaminant in fungus-infected crops. It is 3 to 4 times more potent as an estrogen than the related compoundzearalenone.[8] It is a metabolite of zearalenone.[9]