Anti Aging Research Peptides

44 research peptides demonstrate anti aging properties. This collection covers their mechanisms, evidence base, and research applications.

Preclinical | Growth Hormone Secretagogue

Ipamorelin is the most selective growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) available, a synthetic pentapeptide (MW ~711.86 g/mol, formula C38H49N9O5) that stimulates pulsatile GH release from the pituitary gland without significantly affecting cortisol,...

Mechanism: Ipamorelin (sequence: Aib-His-D-2Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) selectively binds to the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells, increasing cAMP and activating...

Preclinical | Growth Hormone Secretagogue

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) originally developed by ConjuChem Technologies for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It exists in two forms: with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) for extended half-life of 5.8-8.

Mechanism: CJC-1295 binds to GHRH receptors (GHRHR) on pituitary somatotroph cells, activating intracellular cAMP signaling to stimulate both the transcription of the GH gene and pulsatile release of endogenous...

No Regulatory Activity | Skin & Tissue Repair

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. First discovered by Dr.

Mechanism: GHK-Cu chelates copper(II) ions via its histidine residue and delivers bioavailable copper directly to cells, preventing free copper oxidative damage.

Preclinical | Metabolic / Mitochondrial

MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c) is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene (MT-RNR1). Discovered in 2015 by Lee et al.

Mechanism: MOTS-c activates AMPK by inhibiting the folate cycle, causing accumulation of AICAR (an AMP analog). Activated AMPK shifts cells into energy-efficient mode: enhancing glucose uptake, fatty-acid...

Phase I–II Clinical Trials | Growth Hormone Secretagogue

Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide (MW ~3357.9 g/mol) corresponding to the first 29 amino acids of naturally occurring growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH).

Mechanism: Sermorelin binds to GHRH receptors (GHRHR) on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland, stimulating both transcription of the HGH gene and pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone.

FDA Approved | Growth Hormone Secretagogue

Tesamorelin (tesamorelin acetate) is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and the only FDA-approved medication for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy, marketed as...

Mechanism: Tesamorelin binds to and stimulates human GRF (growth hormone-releasing factor) receptors on the anterior pituitary with similar potency as endogenous GRF, stimulating synthesis and release of...

Preclinical | Anti-Aging / Telomere

Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, MW ~390 g/mol) developed by Russian gerontologist Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology.

Mechanism: Epithalon (C14H22N4O9, MW ~390 daltons) activates telomerase, particularly the catalytic subunit TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), extending telomeres at chromosome ends.

FDA Approved | Metabolic / Mitochondrial

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane, binding to cardiolipin and stabilizing cristae structure.

Mechanism: SS-31 is a cell-permeable peptide with an alternating aromatic-cationic motif (D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2) that allows it to cross membranes without a carrier.

Preclinical | Senolytic / Anti-Aging

FOXO4-DRI is a D-retro-inverso peptide designed to selectively eliminate senescent cells — aged, dysfunctional "zombie cells" that accumulate in tissues and drive chronic inflammation, tissue dysfunction, and age-related disease.

Mechanism: Senescent cells survive because FOXO4 protein binds to p53 in the nucleus, sequestering it and preventing p53 from triggering apoptosis.

Preclinical | Metabolic / Mitochondrial

Humanin is a 21-24 amino acid mitochondria-derived peptide (MDP) encoded by the MT-RNR2 gene in mitochondrial DNA. It was originally discovered in 2001 for its ability to protect neurons from Alzheimer's disease-related toxicity.

Mechanism: Humanin operates through both intracellular and extracellular mechanisms. Intracellularly, it binds pro-apoptotic proteins BAX, Bim, and tBid to inhibit caspase activation and cell death.

Early Human / Mixed Evidence | Anti-Aging / Telomere

NAD+ is a fundamental coenzyme present in all living cells that serves as a critical electron carrier in metabolic reactions and a substrate for enzymes including sirtuins, PARPs, and CD38.

Mechanism: Functions as: (1) an electron carrier in glycolysis, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation; (2) a substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1-7), which regulate gene expression, DNA repair, and metabolism; (3)...

FDA Approved | Hormone

Human growth hormone (hGH, somatotropin) is a 191-amino acid protein produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH, somatropin) is FDA-approved for numerous indications including pediatric and adult growth hormone...

Mechanism: Growth hormone binds to the GH receptor (GHR), a type I cytokine receptor, activating the JAK2-STAT5 signaling pathway.

No Regulatory Activity | Healing & Recovery

Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen) are a mixture of small peptides (typically 2-5 kDa) produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen from animal sources (bovine, porcine, marine).

Mechanism: After oral ingestion, collagen peptides are partially digested into dipeptides and tripeptides (particularly hydroxyproline-containing peptides like Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly) that are absorbed intact into...

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Matrixyl (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Pal-KTTKS) is a lipopeptide used in anti-aging skincare. It consists of the pentapeptide KTTKS (a fragment of type I procollagen) conjugated to a palmitic acid chain to enhance skin penetration.

Mechanism: The KTTKS sequence is a fragment of the C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen. When collagen is synthesized, this propeptide is cleaved off, and the KTTKS fragment feeds back to fibroblasts as...

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Matrixyl 3000 is a trademarked cosmetic ingredient (Sederma) consisting of a combination of two lipopeptides: palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Pal-GQPR).

Mechanism: Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) is a collagen-stimulating signal peptide that activates fibroblast collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis.