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Research collection

Longevity & cellular ageing

11 compounds · 29 indexed papers

Epitalon

Animal / in-vitro only

Epithalon · AEDG peptide

Reported to raise telomerase activity and elongate telomeres in cultured human somatic cells, and associated with lifespan effects in rodent work. Almost all foundational evidence comes from a single research group, and independent replication remains sparse.

AEDG

Not approved by FDA or EMA. A related pineal preparation is registered in Russia; elsewhere Epitalon is an unapproved research chemical.

Primary sources

Humanin

Observational

HN · MT-RNR2-derived peptide

Proposed to act as a cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic signal that reduces oxidative and metabolic stress-induced cell death, with circulating levels tied to the growth hormone/IGF-1 axis and responsive to exercise. Human evidence is largely observational rather than from administration trials.

MAPRGFSCLLLLTSEIDLPVKRRA

Not approved by FDA or EMA. Studied as a biomarker and research peptide, not a marketed drug.

Primary sources

Carnosine

Human trials (limited)

Beta-alanyl-L-histidine · L-carnosine

A naturally occurring dipeptide with antioxidant, anti-glycation and pH-buffering activity. Human supplementation evidence exists but is dominated by beta-alanine loading studies and narrative reviews.

beta-Ala-His

Sold as a dietary supplement. Not an approved drug.

Primary sources

Glutathione

Human RCT

GSH · reduced glutathione

The body's principal intracellular antioxidant, also studied as a skin-lightening agent through tyrosinase inhibition. Randomised human data exist mainly for pigmentation endpoints, not for longevity claims.

gamma-Glu-Cys-Gly

Available as an oral and topical supplement. Intravenous skin-lightening use is unapproved and has been the subject of regulatory warnings in several countries.

Primary sources

Elamipretide

Human RCT

SS-31 · Bendavia · MTP-131

A mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide that binds cardiolipin, stabilises cristae architecture and improves electron transport efficiency. It has been through multiple randomised human trials, with mixed results.

D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2

Investigational. Not approved by FDA or EMA; phase 3 work in primary mitochondrial myopathy did not meet its primary endpoint.

Primary sources

Klotho

Animal / in-vitro only

Soluble alpha-Klotho · KL

A longevity-associated protein named after the Greek fate who spins the thread of life. Raising klotho or a klotho fragment improves cognition and resilience in rodents, but nothing has been tested in people.

Large glycoprotein (shed ectodomain, not a synthesisable short peptide)

Not a marketed therapeutic. No human trials of exogenous klotho administration exist.

Primary sources

GDF-11

Animal / in-vitro only

Growth differentiation factor 11 · BMP-11

A circulating TGF-beta family factor made famous by a 2013 report that it reverses age-related cardiac hypertrophy. Later work challenged both the measurement methods and the functional claims, so treat it as unsettled.

Mature TGF-beta superfamily dimer (109-residue monomer)

Not approved; entirely preclinical. Early rejuvenation claims were disputed, partly over assay cross-reactivity with myostatin.

Primary sources

SHLP-2

Animal / in-vitro only

Small humanin-like peptide 2 · mitochondrial-derived peptide

One of the mitochondrial-derived peptides discovered alongside humanin and MOTS-c. It modulates apoptosis, insulin sensitivity and central energy balance in animal and cell models, with human evidence limited to genetic association.

Mitochondrial 16S rRNA-encoded peptide (exact public sequence not standardised)

Research compound only; no human administration studies. Sequence and mass figures are approximate.

Primary sources

Humanin analogue HNG

Human trials (limited)

HNG · Humanin S14G

A potency-enhanced analogue of humanin, the mitochondrial-derived peptide linked to neuroprotection and metabolic health. Higher circulating humanin tracks with better cognitive ageing in people, but no one has been dosed with HNG in a trial.

MAPRGFSCLLLLTSEIDLPVKRRA (native humanin; HNG substitutes Ser14 to Gly)

Not approved; investigational. Human evidence is observational association, not intervention.

Primary sources

Vilon

Animal / in-vitro only

Lys-Glu dipeptide · KE

A dipeptide bioregulator studied for effects on gene expression in ageing cells. Ex vivo human cell data exist, but no randomised human evidence.

KE

Not FDA/EMA approved; part of the Russian bioregulator product line. No controlled human trials identified.

Primary sources