Peptide Database
265 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.
Capromorelin (Entyce)
Capromorelin is a selective ghrelin receptor agonist, or growth hormone secretagogue, that mimics the endogenous peptide hormone ghrelin by binding to the GHS-R1a receptor in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Activation of ghrelin receptors stimulates appetite, promotes growth hormone release, and modulates energy balance, providing a therapeutic rationale for conditions characterized by inappetence and weight loss. The compound is formulated as an oral solution, distinguishing it from injectable peptide therapies.
Anamorelin (Adlumiz)
Anamorelin is an orally active selective ghrelin receptor agonist designed to stimulate appetite and promote anabolic processes by mimicking endogenous ghrelin at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). The small-molecule peptidomimetic increases growth hormone and IGF-1 secretion while enhancing food intake and lean body mass, targeting the muscle wasting and cachexia associated with chronic illness. Its oral bioavailability and receptor selectivity differentiate it from earlier injectable ghrelin analogues.
Relamorelin
Relamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide ghrelin receptor agonist designed to stimulate growth hormone secretion and promote gastric motility. It binds selectively to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a), mimicking the action of endogenous ghrelin. The peptide was developed primarily for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis and other disorders of gastric emptying, with potential applications in cachexia and functional dyspepsia.
Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 no DAC)
Modified GRF 1-29 is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) comprising 29 amino acids with four amino acid substitutions to enhance stability. These modifications increase resistance to enzymatic degradation compared to native GHRH while maintaining receptor affinity and biological activity. The compound stimulates pulsatile growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary without the half-life extension conferred by drug affinity complex technology.
Tabimorelin
Tabimorelin is an orally active synthetic ghrelin mimetic and selective GHS-R1a agonist developed to stimulate growth hormone release. Unlike peptide analogues, tabimorelin was designed as a small molecule with improved oral bioavailability and stability. The therapeutic rationale centered on treating frailty, functional decline in the elderly, and conditions associated with growth hormone deficiency.
Somatropin (Genotropin)
Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) consisting of 191 amino acids identical in sequence to endogenous pituitary growth hormone. It binds to growth hormone receptors on target tissues to stimulate linear growth, protein synthesis, lipolysis, and carbohydrate metabolism. Genotropin is one of several branded formulations of somatropin approved for multiple indications including pediatric growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, and adult growth hormone deficiency.
Somapacitan (Sogroya)
Somapacitan is a long-acting growth hormone analogue engineered by attaching an albumin-binding moiety to recombinant human growth hormone. This modification extends the half-life to allow once-weekly subcutaneous administration, compared to daily injections required for standard somatropin. The peptide retains growth hormone receptor agonist activity with pharmacokinetic enhancement intended to improve treatment adherence.
Lonapegsomatropin (Skytrofa)
Lonapegsomatropin is a long-acting prodrug of somatropin created through site-specific PEGylation that releases active growth hormone after administration. The PEG moiety extends circulating half-life and enables once-weekly dosing for pediatric growth hormone deficiency. This represents a transient modification strategy in which the PEG is cleaved to yield native growth hormone.
Pegvisomant (Somavert)
Pegvisomant is a PEGylated growth hormone receptor antagonist engineered from human growth hormone with nine amino acid substitutions that confer antagonist properties. The molecule binds to growth hormone receptors but does not activate downstream signaling, effectively blocking the action of endogenous growth hormone. It is used exclusively for the treatment of acromegaly in patients with inadequate response to surgery or other medical therapies.
Mecasermin (Increlex)
Mecasermin is recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) consisting of 70 amino acids identical to the endogenous peptide hormone. It binds to IGF-1 receptors to promote growth and anabolic processes, bypassing the need for growth hormone receptor signaling. Mecasermin is indicated specifically for children with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency or growth hormone gene deletion who have developed neutralizing antibodies to growth hormone.
GHRH (Sermorelin 1-44)
Sermorelin is a synthetic 44-amino acid peptide corresponding to the biologically active portion of human growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). It stimulates endogenous growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary by binding to GHRH receptors. Originally approved for diagnostic testing of growth hormone secretion, sermorelin was subsequently marketed for treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children before being voluntarily withdrawn.
Ghrelin (Native)
Ghrelin is a naturally occurring 28-amino acid peptide hormone produced primarily in the stomach with an essential octanoyl modification at serine-3 required for biological activity. It functions as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), stimulating growth hormone release, appetite, and gastric motility. Ghrelin plays a central role in energy homeostasis, feeding behavior, and metabolic regulation.
Obestatin
Obestatin is a 23-amino acid peptide hormone derived from post-translational processing of the ghrelin gene product preproghrelin. It was initially proposed to oppose ghrelin's orexigenic effects by binding to the GPR39 receptor and promoting satiety, though this mechanism remains controversial. The peptide has been investigated for potential roles in regulating food intake, gastrointestinal motility, and metabolic homeostasis.
GHRP-1
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-1 is a synthetic hexapeptide belonging to the growth hormone secretagogue family. It acts as a weak agonist at the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) to stimulate pulsatile growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary. GHRP-1 has limited potency compared to later-generation secretagogues and served primarily as a prototype for subsequent drug development.