Selank and Cognitive Enhancement Research: Memory, Learning and Neuroplasticity BiologySelank (Tuftsin-Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic analogue of the endogenous tetrapeptide Tuftsin, extended with a Pro-Gly-Pro C-terminal sequence that confers stability against plasma proteases. While Selank's anxiolytic properties — mediated through GABA-A modulation, serotonin enhancement, and HPA axis normalisation — form the primary focus of its…
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CJC-1295 and Bone Density Research: GH Axis, IGF-1 and Osteoporosis BiologyCJC-1295 — the GHRH analogue that achieves prolonged GH axis stimulation through its Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) technology or shorter-acting non-DAC form — has an established preclinical and early clinical profile primarily focused on body composition, GH pulsatility, and IGF-1 modulation. A less prominently…
IGF-1 LR3 and Cancer Research: Tumour Biology, Proliferative Signalling and IGF Axis in OncologyThe insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis is among the most extensively studied signalling pathways in cancer biology. IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) activation promotes tumour cell survival, proliferation, invasion, and resistance to both chemotherapy and targeted therapy — making it a widely…
Hexarelin and Growth Hormone Deficiency Research: GHS-R1a, Pituitary Reserve Testing and GHD BiologyHexarelin (Examorelin) — a synthetic hexapeptide GH secretagogue with the sequence His-D-2-MeTrp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂ — is among the most potent GHS-R1a (growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a) agonists characterised in the GH releasing peptide family. Its potency exceeds that of GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and ipamorelin in…
Thymosin Alpha-1 and Autoimmune Disease Research: T-Cell Tolerance, Regulatory Immunity and InflammationThymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1) — a 28-amino acid thymic peptide processed from prothymosin alpha — has a well-documented role in immune reconstitution and anti-infective immunity (covered in our Thymosin Alpha-1 immune reconstitution article). A parallel and mechanistically distinct body of research examines Tα1's role…
MOTS-C and Insulin Resistance Research: Mitochondrial Peptide, Glucose Metabolism and Type 2 Diabetes BiologyMOTS-C (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c) is a 16-amino acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome — a discovery that challenged the long-held assumption that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes only structural components of the respiratory chain. As a…
Semax and Depression Research: Monoamine Modulation, BDNF and Mood BiologySemax — the synthetic heptapeptide Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro derived from the ACTH(4-7) sequence with a Pro-Gly-Pro C-terminal extension — is registered in Russia and Ukraine as a prescription neuroprotective agent. While its primary clinical applications involve ischaemic stroke research applications and cognitive enhancement, a substantial body of…
Kisspeptin-10 and Puberty Timing Research: HPG Axis Development, GnRH Pulse Onset and Precocious Puberty BiologyKisspeptin's discovery as the gatekeeping signal for hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activation at puberty onset represented a paradigm shift in reproductive neuroendocrinology. The KISS1 gene product — processed into kisspeptin-54, -14, -13, and -10 depending on proteolytic cleavage context — acts…
Epitalon and Pineal Gland Research: Melatonin Restoration, Circadian Rhythm and Ageing BiologyEpitalon (Epithalon, Epitalamin synthetic tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) was developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, originally derived from the natural polypeptide extract epithalamin produced from bovine pineal tissue. The pineal gland's central role in circadian biology,…
PT-141 and Female Sexual Dysfunction Research: Melanocortin Pathways, Desire and Central Arousal MechanismsPT-141 (Bremelanotide), the melanocortin receptor agonist derived from Melanotan II, has a well-characterised research profile in male sexual dysfunction — particularly its role in erectogenic mechanisms through central MC4R-mediated dopaminergic activation. The parallel research programme in female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is substantial,…
BPC-157 and Bone Healing Research: Fracture Repair, Osteoblast Biology and Connective Tissue MechanismsBPC-157 (Body Protection Compound 157) has an established preclinical profile in soft tissue repair — gastrointestinal mucosal healing, tendon and ligament repair, and muscle regeneration are among its most extensively studied biological activities. A less prominently discussed but mechanistically important research area…
Follistatin and Muscle Wasting Disease Research: Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Myostatin Inhibition BiologyFollistatin's role as an endogenous antagonist of myostatin — and of the broader TGF-β/activin signalling axis — positions it at the centre of research into muscle wasting conditions. Cachexia, the severe muscle and fat wasting syndrome associated with cancer, chronic heart failure, COPD,…
