Peptide Database
86 therapeutic peptides with research summaries, clinical findings, and regulatory status.
CJC-1295
A synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) with a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that binds to albumin, extending its half-life from minutes to approximately 6-8 days. CJC-1295 stimulates pulsatile GH release from the anterior pituitary by binding to GHRH receptors while preserving the natural GH secretory pattern and negative feedback mechanisms.
Ipamorelin
A highly selective growth hormone secretagogue that acts on ghrelin/GHS receptors in the pituitary gland to stimulate GH release. Unlike other GH secretagogues, ipamorelin does not significantly affect ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin levels, making it one of the most specific GH-releasing peptides. It works synergistically with GHRH analogs like CJC-1295.
Sermorelin
A synthetic 29-amino acid analog of GHRH representing the shortest fully functional fragment of the native 44-amino acid hormone. Sermorelin stimulates the pituitary to produce and release growth hormone through the natural GHRH receptor pathway, preserving the hypothalamic-pituitary feedback axis. It maintains physiological pulsatile GH secretion patterns.
Tesamorelin (Egrifta)
A synthetic GHRH analog consisting of the 44-amino acid sequence of human GHRH with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus to improve stability. Tesamorelin specifically targets visceral adipose tissue reduction by stimulating lipolysis through GH-mediated pathways. It is the only FDA-approved treatment for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
PT-141 (Bremelanotide / Vyleesi)
A synthetic cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist that activates MC3R and MC4R in the central nervous system. Unlike PDE5 inhibitors that act peripherally on vascular smooth muscle, PT-141 works centrally through hypothalamic melanocortin pathways that modulate sexual arousal and desire. It is a metabolite of Melanotan II without significant melanogenic activity.
Kisspeptin
A neuropeptide encoded by the KISS1 gene that serves as the master upstream regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Kisspeptin activates GPR54 (KISS1R) on GnRH neurons, stimulating gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion and subsequent LH and FSH release. It plays a critical role in puberty onset, reproductive function, and fertility regulation.
Oxytocin
A nine-amino acid cyclic neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary. Oxytocin mediates uterine contractions during labor, milk ejection during lactation, and social bonding behaviors. It modulates the HPA stress axis, reduces cortisol, and has anxiolytic properties. Intranasal administration reaches the CNS through olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways.
GHRP-2
A synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue that acts on the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) in the hypothalamus and pituitary to stimulate growth hormone release. GHRP-2 is one of the most potent GH-releasing peptides, producing robust GH pulses while also increasing ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin to a modest degree. It amplifies the natural GH axis and works synergistically with GHRH analogs.
GHRP-6
A synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates the anterior pituitary via GHS-R1a receptor activation. GHRP-6 produces significant GH release and also potently stimulates appetite through ghrelin-mimetic activity in hypothalamic feeding centers. It increases gastric motility and has cytoprotective effects on gastric and cardiac tissue through NO-mediated pathways.
Hexarelin
A synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue with the highest GH-releasing potency among GHRPs. Hexarelin binds both GHS-R1a and CD36 (scavenger receptor), giving it unique cardiovascular properties independent of GH release. It exhibits cardioprotective effects through reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation and improved cardiac contractility via direct myocardial receptor activation.
MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
An orally bioavailable, non-peptide growth hormone secretagogue that mimics the action of ghrelin at the GHS-R1a receptor. MK-677 stimulates sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation for up to 24 hours after a single oral dose without affecting cortisol levels. Its long duration of action and oral availability distinguish it from injectable GH secretagogues, and it preserves the pulsatile pattern of GH release.
Macimorelin (Macrilen)
An orally bioavailable growth hormone secretagogue approved as a diagnostic agent for adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). Macimorelin stimulates GH release via GHS-R1a agonism, and the GH response to a standardized oral dose is used to confirm or exclude AGHD. It offers a simpler, better-tolerated alternative to the insulin tolerance test and GHRH-arginine test for GH deficiency diagnosis.
Cosyntropin (Cortrosyn)
A synthetic peptide consisting of the first 24 amino acids of the 39-amino acid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Cosyntropin retains full biological activity of native ACTH for stimulating adrenal cortisol production and is used as a diagnostic agent in the ACTH stimulation test to evaluate adrenal gland function. It binds to the MC2R receptor on adrenocortical cells, activating steroidogenesis.
Gonadorelin (GnRH)
A synthetic decapeptide identical to endogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Gonadorelin stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary when administered in a pulsatile fashion. Continuous or high-dose administration paradoxically downregulates GnRH receptors, suppressing gonadotropin secretion, a principle exploited by GnRH agonist therapeutics.