Peptides for Anti-Aging
Overview
15 research peptides are currently studied for anti-aging. This guide ranks them by evidence strength and covers their mechanisms, safety profiles, and current clinical status.
SS-31 — FDA Approved
Evidence Rating: A Category: 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. It is being developed by Stealth BioTherapeutics for mitochondrial diseases, heart failure, and age-related mitoch...
Key claims: Improves mitochondrial function; Reduces cardiac dysfunction.
Sermorelin — Phase I–II Clinical Trials
Evidence Rating: C Category: 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). It was previously FDA-approved as Geref for the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children, though the pr...
Key claims: Stimulates endogenous growth hormone release; Improves body composition in adults.
MK-677 — Phase I–II Clinical Trials
Evidence Rating: C Category: Growth Hormone Secretagogue
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is a potent, long-acting, orally-active, non-peptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that stimulates growth hormone release without injections. Unlike injectable GH peptides such as GHRP-6 or Ipamorelin, MK-677 can be taken orally and maintains elevated GH and IGF-1 levels for...
Key claims: Increases growth hormone and IGF-1 levels; Improves sleep quality.
Hexarelin — Phase I–II Clinical Trials
Evidence Rating: C Category: Growth Hormone Secretagogue
Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue that binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). It is considered one of the most potent GHRPs available, stimulating greater GH release than GHRH alone. However, it causes relatively rapid receptor desensitization compared to milder GHRP...
Key claims: Potent GH release; Cardioprotective effects.
GHK (Glycyl-Histidyl-Lysine) — Early Human / Mixed Evidence
Evidence Rating: C Category: Regenerative / Research
GHK is a naturally occurring tripeptide first isolated from human plasma. It declines significantly with age. Even without copper complexation, GHK demonstrates gene-regulatory activity affecting over 4,000 genes related to tissue repair, immune function, and anti-inflammatory responses.
Key claims: Broad gene expression modulation; Wound healing acceleration.
Ipamorelin — Preclinical
Evidence Rating: D Category: 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, prolactin, or appetite. It is widely regarded as the m...
Key claims: Increases growth hormone levels; Improves body composition.
CJC-1295 — Preclinical
Evidence Rating: D Category: 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 5.8-8.1 days, and without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) for shorter, pu...
Key claims: Increases growth hormone and IGF-1; Improves body composition.
MOTS-c — Preclinical
Evidence Rating: D Category: 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. at USC, it acts as a metabolic regulator primarily through AMPK activation. In mouse models, M...
Key claims: Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism; Exercise mimetic effects.
Epithalon — Preclinical
Evidence Rating: D Category: 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. Its primary mechanism involves telomerase activation to maintain telomere length. Secondary mechanisms includ...
Key claims: Activates telomerase and extends telomeres; Extends lifespan in animal models.
FOXO4-DRI — Preclinical
Evidence Rating: D Category: 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. It works by disrupting the FOXO4-p53 interaction that keeps senescent ...
Key claims: Selectively eliminates senescent cells; Reverses age-related vascular decline.
Humanin — Preclinical
Evidence Rating: D Category: 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. Since then, it has been found to have broad cytoprotective, anti-infla...
Key claims: Neuroprotection against Alzheimer's toxicity; Cardioprotection.
N-Acetyl Epithalon Amidate — Limited Evidence
Evidence Rating: D Category: Anti-Aging / Research
N-Acetyl Epithalon Amidate is a chemically modified version of epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) with N-terminal acetylation and C-terminal amidation. These modifications protect against enzymatic degradation, potentially improving half-life and bioavailability.
Key claims: Enhanced stability vs standard epithalon.
Related Products
Related Research News
CJC-1295 with DAC and Ipamorelin: Growth Hormone Research Guide
CJC-1295 with DAC and Ipamorelin represent key compounds in growth hormone research, targeting distinct pathways for GH and IGF-1 signaling. CJC-1295 with DAC acts as a long-acting GHRH analogue with a half-life of 5.8 to 8.1 days, while Ipamorelin functions as a selective growth hormone secretagogue via the ghrelin receptor. Together, they support studies on metabolism, recovery, and body composition.
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin: Growth Hormone Stack Mechanics
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin form the most studied growth hormone peptide combination in research. They target separate receptor pathways to boost GH secretion through the somatotropic axis. This stack produces amplified GH pulses, with preclinical data showing 3 to 5 times baseline levels versus 1.5 to 2 times alone.
Ipamorelin: Selective GH Secretagogue for Clean Pulsatile Release
Ipamorelin, a third-generation GHS-R1a agonist (CAS 170851-70-4), stimulates pulsatile growth hormone release without elevating cortisol or prolactin, unlike earlier GHRPs. This selectivity supports precise research into GH axis effects, IGF-1 pathways, body composition, recovery, and sleep. Studies highlight its role in anabolic processes and synergy with CJC-1295 for enhanced GH output.