Peptide Database
265 therapeutic peptides with research summaries, clinical findings, and regulatory status.
Epithalon (Epitalon)
A synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) based on the natural epithalamin peptide produced by the pineal gland. Epithalon activates telomerase, the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length, thereby potentially extending cellular replicative capacity. It also stimulates melatonin production and modulates neuroendocrine system function associated with aging.
MOTS-c
A mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded by the 12S rRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. MOTS-c is a 16-amino acid peptide that acts as an exercise mimetic by activating AMPK and regulating metabolic homeostasis. It translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress to regulate nuclear gene expression related to glucose metabolism and cellular stress responses.
Humanin
A 24-amino acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 16S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA. Humanin exerts cytoprotective and neuroprotective effects by interacting with IGFBP-3, BAX, and the FPRL-1 receptor. It inhibits apoptosis through suppression of the intrinsic mitochondrial death pathway and reduces amyloid-beta-induced neurotoxicity.
NAD+ Precursors (NMN)
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a direct biosynthetic precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme essential for cellular metabolism, DNA repair (via sirtuins and PARPs), and circadian rhythm regulation. NAD+ levels decline with age, and NMN supplementation restores tissue NAD+ levels, activating SIRT1-mediated pathways that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress resistance.
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
A mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide (D-Arg-dimethylTyr-Lys-Phe-NH2) that selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane by binding to cardiolipin. SS-31 stabilizes cytochrome c interactions with cardiolipin, optimizing electron transport chain efficiency and reducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. It restores mitochondrial bioenergetics in aged and diseased tissues without acting as a conventional antioxidant scavenger.
FOXO4-DRI
A D-retro-inverso peptide designed to disrupt the interaction between FOXO4 and p53 in senescent cells. In senescent cells, FOXO4 sequesters p53 away from mitochondria, preventing p53-mediated apoptosis and enabling senescent cell survival. FOXO4-DRI competitively binds p53, releasing it to trigger selective apoptosis of senescent cells while sparing healthy cells, functioning as a senolytic agent.
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Agonists
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are synthetic decapeptide analogues of native GnRH that initially stimulate and then suppress gonadotropin secretion from the pituitary gland. Following initial receptor activation, continuous GnRH agonist exposure leads to receptor downregulation and reversible suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, reducing sex steroid production. Approved formulations include leuprolide, goserelin, and triptorelin, used primarily in hormone-sensitive cancers and reproductive medicine. The longevity rationale derives from theoretical models linking reduced reproductive signaling to extended lifespan observed in model organisms, though this remains speculative in humans.
Klotho Peptide
Klotho is a transmembrane protein of approximately 1012 amino acids that exists in membrane-bound and secreted forms, with the soluble ectodomain functioning as a circulating factor. Klotho acts as a coreceptor for fibroblast growth factor 23 in phosphate metabolism and independently influences insulin signaling, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence pathways. Reduced klotho expression is associated with accelerated aging phenotypes in mice, while overexpression extends lifespan in rodent models. Therapeutic development focuses on peptide fragments or recombinant forms to replicate klotho's protective effects in age-related conditions.
Sirtuin-Activating Peptides
Sirtuin-activating peptides represent a class of investigational compounds designed to enhance the enzymatic activity of sirtuins, a family of NAD-dependent deacetylases implicated in longevity and metabolic regulation. These peptides aim to mimic or potentiate the effects of caloric restriction by modulating histone deacetylation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and stress resistance pathways. While small molecule sirtuin activators such as resveratrol analogues have received more research attention, peptide-based approaches remain in early discovery phases. The therapeutic rationale centers on reproducing the lifespan-extending effects of sirtuin overexpression observed in lower organisms.
Mitochondrial-Targeted Peptides (MTP)
Mitochondrial-targeted peptides are short synthetic sequences, typically 2 to 8 amino acids, designed to localize to mitochondria and protect against oxidative damage and organelle dysfunction. Representative compounds include SS-31 (elamipretide), a tetrapeptide that associates with cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane to reduce reactive oxygen species and improve electron transport chain efficiency. These peptides aim to address mitochondrial dysfunction implicated in aging, heart failure, neurodegenerative disease, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. The longevity application is based on the mitochondrial theory of aging and evidence that mitochondrial protection extends lifespan in model organisms.
Thymulin (Zn-FTS)
Thymulin is a nonapeptide hormone secreted by thymic epithelial cells that requires zinc for biological activity and is also referred to as facteur thymique serique or FTS. The peptide modulates T-cell differentiation and immune function, with circulating levels declining with age in parallel with thymic involution. The therapeutic hypothesis proposes that thymulin supplementation may restore immune competence in aging individuals and counteract immunosenescence. Synthetic zinc-thymulin complexes have been investigated as potential immunorestorative agents in experimental settings.
Gerontin (Pineal Gland Extract)
Gerontin refers to peptide fractions derived from pineal gland extracts studied primarily in Russian gerontology research. These preparations are hypothesized to contain bioactive peptides that regulate circadian rhythms, antioxidant defenses, and neuroendocrine aging processes. The pineal gland's role in melatonin synthesis and circadian coordination provides a biological rationale for investigating pineal-derived factors in aging. Gerontin formulations are not standardized, and active components have not been fully characterized by modern analytical methods.
Vilon (Lys-Glu)
Vilon is a synthetic dipeptide consisting of lysine and glutamic acid (Lys-Glu) developed as part of the Khavinson bioregulator peptide research program. The peptide is proposed to interact with DNA regulatory regions to modulate gene expression related to immune function and cellular repair. Vilon has been studied primarily in Russian research for immunomodulation and potential geroprotective properties. The mechanism is postulated to involve epigenetic regulation, though detailed molecular characterization remains incomplete.
Bioregulator Peptides (Khavinson)
Bioregulator peptides are a class of short synthetic peptides, typically 2 to 4 amino acids in length, developed by Russian researcher Vladimir Khavinson based on sequences derived from organ-specific tissues. These peptides are theorized to exert tissue-specific regulatory effects by interacting with chromatin to modulate gene expression and restore age-related functional declines. Examples include thymus-derived peptides (Thymalin), pineal peptides (Epithalamin), and vascular peptides. The underlying hypothesis is that peptide bioregulators can reverse or slow aging by re-establishing youthful patterns of protein synthesis in target organs.