Peer-reviewed study summaries, mechanism deep dives, and analysis of the latest peptide science literature.
26 articles
Retatrutide produced 24.2% body weight loss in Phase 2 — the largest ever recorded in an obesity drug trial. Here's what the research shows about how it works, how it compares to tirzepatide and semaglutide, and what's coming in Phase 3.
Multiple peptide classes address fat loss through different mechanisms: GLP-1 agonists (appetite suppression), GH fragment peptides (lipolysis), and GHRH/GHS stacks (GH-driven fat metabolism). This guide reviews the research evidence across each category and what they show for adipose tissue reduction.
Collagen peptide supplements are among the most commercially successful peptide products, but what does the peer-reviewed research actually show? This review examines the evidence for skin, joint, bone, and gut applications, covering bioavailability, mechanism, and clinical trial data.
LL-37 is the only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide — a component of the innate immune system that kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi while also promoting wound healing and modulating inflammation. This review examines its mechanism, infection research, and emerging therapeutic applications.
KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is a tripeptide derived from the C-terminus of alpha-MSH with potent anti-inflammatory effects in gut tissue. This review examines its MC1R-independent mechanism, colitis research data, and emerging evidence for IBD applications.
IGF-1 LR3 is a long-acting analogue of insulin-like growth factor-1 with reduced IGF-binding protein affinity, producing prolonged anabolic signaling. This review examines its receptor pharmacology, satellite cell activation, and what preclinical data show about muscle hypertrophy and repair.
Matrixyl is a brand name for palmitoyl peptide compounds — primarily Matrixyl (Pal-GHK) and Matrixyl 3000 (Pal-GHK + Pal-KTTKS) — that signal fibroblasts to synthesize collagen. This review examines the TGF-beta mechanism, clinical trial data, and why these peptides are among the most evidence-backed skincare compounds.
Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) is a SNAP-25-mimicking peptide that inhibits neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. This review examines its mechanism, clinical trial data for wrinkle reduction, and how it compares to botulinum toxin in research models.
Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1) is a 28-amino acid thymic peptide with documented immune-stimulating effects in viral infection, cancer, and immunocompromised patients. This review examines its mechanism, clinical evidence from hepatitis B/C and COVID-19 research, and its unique position among immune-modulating peptides.
GHRP-2 is a synthetic hexapeptide GHS-R1a agonist with among the highest GH pulse amplitudes of any research peptide. This review covers its mechanism, GH/IGF-1 data, cortisol profile, and how it compares to other GHS compounds in research stacks.
Ipamorelin is the most selective synthetic GHS-R1a agonist, producing robust GH pulses with minimal cortisol or prolactin elevation. This deep-dive reviews its pharmacology, research data, and why it has become the standard GH secretagogue in research stacks.
SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that associates with cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Research shows it restores mitochondrial function in aging, heart failure, and ischemia-reperfusion injury models.
Semaglutide (GLP-1 RA) and tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist) have transformed obesity and diabetes research. This article compares their mechanisms, head-to-head clinical data, and what the emerging research tells us about dual agonism.
Ovagen (EAEN) is a short tetrapeptide from Khavinson's program originally derived from liver tissue, now studied for potential hepatoprotective and gene regulatory effects in aged hepatocyte models.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Pal-GQPR) is a lipopeptide developed for cosmetic research that suppresses pro-inflammatory IL-6 signaling in skin while stimulating collagen and hyaluronan synthesis in dermal fibroblasts.
Cortagen is a short tetrapeptide from Khavinson's research program, derived from the cerebral cortex. Research in neural cell models and aged rodents shows it influences cell survival gene expression and may promote neuronal regeneration.
CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH analogue designed to resist enzymatic degradation. With DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) modification, it has a half-life of 6-8 days, producing sustained GH elevation. Without DAC (CJC-1295 no DAC / Mod GRF 1-29), it acts more like physiological GHRH.
TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of Thymosin Beta-4, a ubiquitous intracellular actin-sequestering protein. Research shows it promotes healing in cardiac muscle, tendons, skin wounds, and neural tissue through actin dynamics and VEGF upregulation.
Epithalon (AEDG) is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from the pineal gland peptide epithalamin. Research shows it activates telomerase, extends telomere length in aged cell cultures, and extends lifespan in multiple animal models.
KED (Lys-Glu-Asp) is a short tripeptide from the thymus found to influence gene expression in aging cell cultures. Research suggests it may modulate chromatin accessibility and transcription factor activity in aged cells.
FOXO4-DRI is a D-amino acid retro-inverso peptide designed to disrupt the interaction between FOXO4 and p53 in senescent cells. Research in aged mice shows it selectively promotes apoptosis in senescent cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Mechano Growth Factor (MGF) is a splice variant of IGF-1 produced locally in muscle in response to mechanical stress. Research shows it activates muscle satellite cells and initiates repair cascades distinct from systemic IGF-1.
Ipamorelin is the cleanest GHRP available for research, producing GH release with minimal cortisol or prolactin elevation. Combined with sermorelin, it creates a highly selective GH-releasing stack with a strong preclinical evidence base.
When sermorelin (a GHRH analogue) and GHRP-2 (a ghrelin mimetic) are combined, research shows a synergistic amplification of GH secretion that significantly exceeds the effect of either peptide alone.
Sermorelin is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). This review examines how it interacts with somatotroph cells in the pituitary gland and what the research shows about its GH-stimulating effects.
An in-depth look at the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which BPC-157 promotes healing in tendon, ligament, gut, and neural tissue in preclinical research models.
Showing 26 of 26 Research articles