Fat Loss Research Peptides

25 research peptides demonstrate fat loss properties. This collection covers their mechanisms, evidence base, and research applications.

FDA Approved | Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist (MW ~4113.6 g/mol, molecular formula C187H291N45O59) with 94% sequence homology to human GLP-1.

Mechanism: Semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone by binding to GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic beta cells (glucose-dependent), brain (hypothalamus appetite centers), stomach, and intestines.

FDA Approved | Metabolic / Dual GIP-GLP-1 Agonist

Tirzepatide is a first-in-class dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and chronic weight management (Zepbound) including severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Mechanism: Tirzepatide (MW ~4813 g/mol, C225H348N48O68) simultaneously activates both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptors.

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...

Phase I–II Clinical Trials | Metabolic / Fat Loss

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 177-191 plus an N-terminal tyrosine, Tyr-hGH(177-191)) developed at Monash University, Australia.

Mechanism: AOD-9604 (C78H123N23O23S2) works through a dual-action mechanism: it accelerates breakdown of stored fat (lipolysis) via cAMP signaling and enzymatic activation (stimulating hormone-sensitive...

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 | Growth Hormone Secretagogue

GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6) is a synthetic hexapeptide that functions as a potent growth hormone secretagogue by binding to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a).

Mechanism: GHRP-6 functions as a synthetic ghrelin mimetic by binding to GHS-R1a in the pituitary and hypothalamus, triggering pulsatile GH release and raising IGF-1 levels.

Phase I–II Clinical Trials | Growth Hormone Secretagogue

GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, MW ~817.97 g/mol) that stimulates potent, dose-dependent GH release via the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R).

Mechanism: GHRP-2 (C45H55N9O6) binds to and activates ghrelin (GH secretagogue) receptors on pituitary somatotrophs, triggering robust pulsatile GH release.

Phase III / NDA Filed | Metabolic / Triple Agonist

Retatrutide is a first-in-class investigational triple hormone receptor agonist (GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon) developed by Eli Lilly. In the Phase 2 trial (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2023, n=338), the 12 mg dose achieved 24.

Mechanism: Retatrutide simultaneously activates three receptors: GLP-1 (reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, improves insulin secretion), GIP (enhances insulin sensitivity, glucose control), and glucagon...

FDA Approved | Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Liraglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist with 97% amino acid sequence homology to endogenous human GLP-1. Developed by Novo Nordisk, it is approved as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for chronic weight management.

Mechanism: Liraglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic β-cells, increasing intracellular cAMP and triggering glucose-dependent insulin secretion.

Phase III / NDA Filed | Metabolic / Amylin Analog

Cagrilintide is a long-acting synthetic analog of human amylin, a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells.

Mechanism: Cagrilintide activates amylin receptors (calcitonin receptor + RAMP complexes) in the area postrema and other hindbrain regions, promoting meal-related satiety through distinct pathways from GLP-1...

Phase III / NDA Filed | Metabolic / Dual Agonist

Survodutide is an investigational dual glucagon/GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma. Unlike tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1), survodutide combines glucagon and GLP-1 agonism, adding glucagon-driven hepatic fat...

Mechanism: Survodutide simultaneously activates glucagon receptors (increasing hepatic fat oxidation, energy expenditure, and thermogenesis) and GLP-1 receptors (reducing appetite, slowing gastric emptying,...

Animal/Preclinical Only | Metabolic / Fat Loss

5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule (not technically a peptide) that selectively inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme overexpressed in adipose tissue of obese individuals.

Mechanism: Selectively inhibits NNMT, an enzyme highly expressed in white adipose tissue that catalyzes the methylation of nicotinamide using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a methyl donor.