Research guide to peptides

Retatrutide

LY3437943

Retatrutide (development name LY3437943) is a synthetic peptide that mimics three of the body's own hormone signals at the same time – GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon. The peptide is being investigated in large clinical studies in humans in the fields of metabolism and weight. This page summarises the research for informational purposes; it is not medical advice, and the product is intended for research use only.

Tirzepatide

LY3298176

Tirzepatide (development name LY3298176, known under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound) is a peptide studied in the field of metabolism. It acts on two of the body's own hormone systems at the same time – GIP and GLP-1 – and has been investigated in large, well-controlled studies in humans. This page brings together research for informational purposes. It is not medical advice, and the product is intended for research use only.

Cagrilintide

Cagrilintide is a synthetic, long-acting analogue of the hormone amylin. Amylin is normally released together with insulin and is involved in satiety, appetite and how quickly nutrients leave the stomach. Research on cagrilintide is mostly about weight regulation, alone or together with semaglutide.

MOTS-c

mitochondrial peptide (12S rRNA ORF-c)

MOTS-c is a small peptide of 16 amino acids that the body makes itself – it is encoded in a section of the mitochondria's own DNA (the so-called 12S rRNA region). Mitochondria are the "power stations" inside cells, and researchers have become interested in MOTS-c because its levels appear to be linked to how the body handles energy and blood sugar. By far most of the research so far has been done in cells and animals, and only a few studies have been carried out in humans.

SLU-PP-332

SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic agonist for estrogen-related receptors (ERRα, ERRβ and ERRγ). These receptors control genes linked to mitochondria, oxidative phosphorylation and energy metabolism. The substance is used in research as an "exercise mimetic" probe in preclinical models.

BPC-157

Body Protection Compound-157

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic peptide made up of 15 amino acids. The sequence is derived from a protein found naturally in gastric juice. In the laboratory, researchers have investigated how the substance affects tissues such as tendons, muscles, gut and blood vessels, mainly in animal models. By far most of the knowledge comes from experiments in rodents and in cell cultures – studies in humans are so far very few.

TB-500

Thymosin Beta-4 fragment

TB-500 is a synthetic peptide fragment related to the natural protein thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4), a substance found in almost every cell in the body. In research, TB-500 and Tβ4 have been investigated for how they affect cell movement, formation of new blood vessels and tissue repair. Most of the research has been done on the parent protein Tβ4 itself – often in cell and animal experiments – while direct studies on the TB-500 fragment are more limited. The product is sold for research use only (research-use-only) and is not intended for use in humans or animals.

BPC & TB Blend

BPC-157 + TB-500

BPC & TB Blend is a research product that combines two separate peptides in the same vial: BPC-157 and TB-500, which is a fragment of the protein Thymosin Beta-4. Each has been investigated separately in research on tissue repair, and the blend is marketed as a practical way to study the two at the same time. We do not have documentation from published studies on this product blend. Studies of BPC-157 together with Thymosin Beta-4 do not document that this is the same formulation or that the findings apply to this product. The product is intended for laboratory and research use only.

GHK-Cu

Copper Tripeptide-1 / Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+

GHK-Cu is a small, naturally occurring molecule made up of three amino acids (glycine, histidine and lysine) bound to a copper ion. It is found naturally in human blood, and levels appear to fall with age. Researchers have been interested in GHK-Cu for over 50 years, particularly in relation to the skin's connective tissue, wound healing and the role of copper inside cells. The content here is a research-based introduction for beginners, not health advice.

KPV

Lys-Pro-Val

KPV is a short tripeptide with the sequence Lys-Pro-Val and forms the C-terminal part of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It has been studied as the minimal sequence for several of the anti-inflammatory effects associated with alpha-MSH. Most of the research has been done in cells, animal models and formulation technology.

Semax

Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro

Semax is a synthetic peptide – a short chain of seven amino acids – derived from a small fragment of the natural hormone ACTH. It was developed in Russia in the 1980s, and much of the research is published in Russian. Researchers have primarily investigated Semax in relation to the brain: nerve protection, memory and attention, and recovery after stroke. The substance is sold here for research use only, and the text below describes what studies have explored – not health claims.

Selank

tuftsin analogue, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro

Selank is a synthetic peptide modelled on the body's own substance tuftsin. It is best known from Russian research, where it has been investigated in relation to anxiety, stress and mental balance. Much of the research has been done in animals, and the human studies that exist are small and mainly Russian. Selank is sold for research purposes only and is not an approved medicine.

DSIP

Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide

DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide) is a small, naturally occurring peptide of nine amino acids, originally discovered in the 1970s in connection with deep sleep (delta sleep). Researchers have investigated DSIP for possible roles in sleep, stress and pain. However, the research is old and inconsistent, and even many decades after its discovery, its exact function remains unresolved. The product is intended for research purposes only.

Tesamorelin

GHRH(1-44) analogue

Tesamorelin is a synthetic copy of a natural signalling substance in the body called growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It has been investigated in several large clinical studies in humans. Unlike most other peptides, tesamorelin is also an approved medicine in the USA (under the name EGRIFTA) for one specific condition in people with HIV. At ArcticAmino the substance is offered exclusively for research purposes.

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin is a short synthetic peptide in the group of growth hormone-releasing peptides. It is studied because it can stimulate the release of endogenous growth hormone through the ghrelin receptor/GHSR. Published human research is limited and concerns mainly pharmacokinetics and GH response in healthy volunteers.

CJC-1295

no DAC) / modified GRF 1-29

CJC-1295 (no DAC) is often used as the name for a short-acting GHRH/GRF 1-29 analogue without the albumin-binding DAC extension. Its purpose in research is to study the role of the GHRH receptor in the pituitary gland's release of growth hormone. Direct literature on the "no DAC" variant specifically is limited, so this page clearly marks which data are related GHRH data.

IGF-1 LR3

Long R3 IGF-I

IGF-1 LR3 is a Long R3 variant of insulin-like growth factor 1. The modification is used in research because it can reduce binding to IGF-binding proteins and thereby alter the availability of IGF-1 signalling in cell and tissue models. It is first and foremost a laboratory tool.

Kisspeptin-10

Kisspeptin-10 is a short fragment of kisspeptin and binds the kisspeptin receptor KISS1R, formerly called GPR54. The kisspeptin system is central to the regulation of GnRH and thus puberty and the reproductive hormone axis. The research covers human neuroendocrinology, animal models and reviews.

MT-1

Melanotan I (afamelanotide)

MT-1 (Melanotan I) is a synthetic variant of the body's own signalling substance alpha-MSH. It binds to a receptor called MC1R on the pigment cells in the skin, and has been studied because it can increase the skin's production of the dark pigment eumelanin. A purified medicinal version, afamelanotide (brand name SCENESSE), is approved in the EU, the USA and Australia for a rare inherited light-sensitivity disorder. All content here is for research purposes only.

MT-2

Melanotan II

MT-2, also called Melanotan II, is a synthetic peptide that resembles the body's own hormone alpha-MSH. It is best known from research on skin pigmentation (tanning), but studies have also explored effects on appetite and erection through so-called melanocortin receptors. The evidence base is limited and consists of small studies, animal experiments and several reports of side effects. The substance is sold for research use only (research-use-only) and is not approved as a medicine.

AHK-Cu

Ala-His-Lys copper complex

AHK-Cu is a copper-bound tripeptide based on the sequence Ala-His-Lys. It is often discussed alongside other copper peptides in skin- and hair-related laboratory research. Directly published documentation is narrower than for GHK-Cu, so this page should be read conservatively.

GLOW research pack

GLOW is listed as a research pack within skin and cellular health research. Without a documented component list, this page cannot claim an overall mechanism or present studies as if they applied to the pack. The research summary must be built component by component once the composition is confirmed.

NAD+

nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a central coenzyme found in every cell in the body. It is not a peptide, but a small helper molecule that cells use to convert nutrients into energy. NAD+ is also needed by enzymes involved in DNA repair and cellular maintenance. Researchers have taken an interest in NAD+ because levels appear to fall with age, and they are exploring whether this is connected with ageing processes.

Glutathione

GSH

Glutathione (GSH) is a small molecule made up of three amino acids (glutamate, cysteine and glycine). The body makes it itself, and it is regarded as one of the cells' most important antioxidants, that is, a substance that helps neutralise free radicals. Researchers have long been interested in glutathione in connection with oxidative stress, liver health and skin pigmentation, but much of the research is still early and the results are inconsistent.

SS-31 / Elamipretide

SS-31, also known as elamipretide, is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide. It was developed to interact with cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane and is investigated in research on mitochondrial energy turnover. The substance has a more extensive clinical research track than many other research peptides.

Epitalon / Epithalon

Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly

Epitalon, also called Epithalon or Epithalone, is a short tetrapeptide with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. The substance is associated with research on cellular ageing, telomeres and the regulation of gene expression. The documentation is far weaker than for established drug candidates and must be read with great caution.

KLOW research pack

KLOW is listed as a research pack, not as a single molecule. A single mechanism or research base therefore cannot be summarised until the exact composition is documented. The correct research summary must be built from the components once they are confirmed.

Bacteriostatic water

0.9% benzyl alcohol in sterile water

Bacteriostatic water, often called bac water, is sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol added. It is used as a solvent when lyophilised (freeze-dried) peptides are reconstituted in the laboratory. The difference from ordinary sterile water is the preservative: benzyl alcohol makes the water bacteriostatic, meaning it inhibits bacterial growth, so that an opened vial can be used over time rather than having to be used up in a single operation. This page explains the product's role in batch, COA and laboratory handling, and does not give injection or usage instructions.