Longevity, telomeres, mitochondrial health
Anti-aging.
Peptides at the focus of longevity research. They address telomerase activity, mitochondrial function or endocrine age-related changes. Evidence predominantly preclinical.
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CJC-1295
CJC 1295
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of the body's own growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The substance binds selectively to the GHRH receptor in the pituitary, where it stimulates the pulsatile release of growth hormone (GH). Characteristic of CJC-1295 is the DAC modification (Drug Affinity Complex): a maleimidopropionic acid group binds covalently to circulating serum albumin, thereby extending the half-life from a few minutes to several days. This produces a sustained elevation of the GH/IGF-1 baseline rather than physiological pulses. The variant without the DAC modification is listed separately as Mod GRF 1-29 and has a markedly shorter duration of action.
Ipamorelin
NNC 26-0161
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide and a selective agonist at the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). By binding to this receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus, it stimulates the pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH). Compared with other GHRP compounds (e.g. GHRP-6), ipamorelin shows lower stimulation of ACTH and cortisol in preclinical studies, which has been regarded as a potential selectivity advantage — clinical confirmation is pending.
GHK-Cu
Copper Peptide GHK
GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine with a copper(II) complex) is a naturally occurring tripeptide detected in human plasma, saliva and urine. It binds copper ions and transports them into tissue. In vitro and in preclinical models, effects on collagen synthesis, antioxidant enzyme activity and the expression of growth factors (including VEGF, FGF) have been described. The precise mechanism of action in vivo in humans has not been fully elucidated.
Epithalon
Epithalamin
Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) isolated by Vladimir Khavinson at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology from the pineal gland. In laboratory studies, epithalon has been described as able to increase telomerase activity in human somatic cells and to lengthen telomeres. Telomerase is an enzyme that can slow the shortening of telomeric DNA sequences during cell division. In cell and animal models, interactions with melatonin synthesis and hypothalamic-pituitary regulatory axes have also been described. The molecular target structures in humans have not been conclusively identified.
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in the mitochondrial genome — one of few known peptides of mitochondrial origin. It is transcribed and translated from the 12S ribosomal RNA gene. In preclinical studies, MOTS-c has been described as circulating in cells and in the blood, able to translocate to the cell nucleus and there modulate gene expression programmes that regulate metabolic adaptation. A postulated mechanism is activation of the AMPK signalling pathway (AMP-activated protein kinase) — a central regulator of energy metabolism. Blood MOTS-c levels decline with age, which has generated interest for longevity research.
Thymosin Alpha-1
Tα1
Thymosin alpha-1 (Tα1) is a 28-amino-acid peptide originally isolated as fraction 5 from the thymus. It is a natural cleavage product of prothymosin alpha and is produced mainly in thymic epithelial cells. Tα1 modulates T-cell maturation and function: it promotes the Th1 response, increases the activity of natural killer cells (NK cells) and stimulates the production of IL-2, interferon-gamma and interferon-alpha. Its molecular site of action includes Toll-like receptors (TLR2 and TLR9) on dendritic cells, which explains its activation of the adaptive immune response.
GHRP-2
Pralmorelin
GHRP-2 is a synthetic hexapeptide that acts as a potent agonist at the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). Binding to GHS-R1a in the somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary triggers a strong pulsatile release of growth hormone (GH). At the same time, its hypothalamic action reduces somatostatin inhibition, further amplifying the GH pulse. Compared with GHRP-6, GHRP-2 stimulates appetite less markedly, as its ghrelinergic action on the hypothalamus is weaker. GHRP-2 also moderately raises prolactin and cortisol — an effect that can be clinically relevant at therapeutic doses.
Sermorelin
GHRH(1-29)-NH₂
Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the first 29 amino acids of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) — the shortest sequence that still retains full biological activity at the GHRH receptor (GHRHR). By binding to GHRHR in the somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary, sermorelin stimulates the synthesis and pulsatile release of growth hormone (GH). Compared with CJC-1295, sermorelin has a shorter biological half-life (approx. 10–20 minutes), producing more physiological, short-lived GH pulses than long-acting GHRH analogs.
SS-31
Elamipretide
SS-31 (elamipretide) is a synthetic, cell-permeable tetrapeptide (D-Arg-2′6′-dimethyltyrosine-Lys-Phe-NH₂). It accumulates selectively in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it binds cardiolipin — a phospholipid found exclusively in mitochondria that stabilises cristae structure and the function of the respiratory chain. Through cardiolipin binding, SS-31 reduces oxidative stress, stabilises the electron transport chain (complexes I–IV), increases ATP production and prevents the release of cytochrome c (an apoptotic signal). This mechanism is independent of cell type and disease context — which explains its broad application spectrum in research.
Mod GRF 1-29
Modified GRF (1-29)
Mod GRF 1-29 is a synthetic GHRH analog based on the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone-releasing hormone. Compared with sermorelin (unmodified GHRH 1-29), it carries four amino acid substitutions (D-Ala², Gln⁸, Ala¹⁵, Leu²⁷) that stabilise it against enzymatic degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) and increase receptor affinity. Unlike CJC-1295 with DAC, Mod GRF 1-29 has no albumin-binding group — its half-life is therefore only about 30 minutes rather than several days. This produces a short, pulsatile GH rise that more closely resembles the physiological release pattern than the sustained baseline elevation of the DAC variant.
Teriparatid
Teriparatide
Teriparatide is the recombinant N-terminal fragment (1-34) of human parathyroid hormone (PTH). It binds to the PTH-1 receptor on osteoblasts and osteocytes. Unlike a persistently elevated PTH concentration (which promotes bone resorption), intermittent once-daily administration produces a predominantly anabolic effect on bone. A stimulation of osteoblast activity and an increase in bone mass and structure have been described.
Abaloparatid
Abaloparatide
Abaloparatide is a synthetic analog of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP 1-34). It binds preferentially to the RG conformation of the PTH-1 receptor, which is thought to produce a more anabolically oriented, more transient signalling response than teriparatide. Like teriparatide it is used intermittently (once daily) to favour bone formation over resorption.
Somatropin (HGH)
Somatropin
Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone (hGH), a 191-amino-acid protein that matches the body's own pituitary growth hormone in structure and action. It binds to the growth hormone receptor and mediates its effects partly directly and partly via the release of IGF-1, predominantly in the liver. Described effects include longitudinal growth (in childhood), protein synthesis, lipolysis and carbohydrate metabolism.
Humanin
Humanin
Humanin is a short, mitochondrially encoded peptide (mitochondrial-derived peptide, MDP) originating from a reading-frame region of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA. It is credited with cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic properties, partly via interactions with receptor complexes and Bcl-2-associated signalling. In preclinical models humanin has been investigated in the context of neuronal protection, insulin sensitivity and aging processes. The synthetic analog HNG shows enhanced activity.
FOXO4-DRI
FOXO4-DRI
FOXO4-DRI is a synthetic D-retro-inverso peptide (mirror-image design for higher stability) that disrupts the interaction between the transcription factor FOXO4 and the tumour suppressor p53. In senescent ("aged") cells this interaction retains p53 in the nucleus and prevents their self-destruction. By disrupting it, p53 is intended to be released and selectively trigger apoptosis of senescent cells (a senolytic approach). Healthy cells are intended to be largely spared.
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