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What Are Peptides? A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Research Peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. In the body they act as signalling molecules. This plain-language guide profiles 17 research compounds and shows each one’s mechanism, published half-life, evidence quality and Certificate of Analysis status.

What Are Peptides and How Do They Work?

In short

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. They use the same building blocks as proteins, only shorter (about 2 to 50 amino acids). In biology they act as signalling molecules . They can tell cells to grow, repair, release hormones or regulate metabolism.

How do peptides work? Most peptides act as messengers. A peptide binds a specific receptor on the surface of a cell and changes that cell’s signalling. For example, the hormone GLP-1 binds the GLP-1 receptor on pancreatic cells and prompts insulin release.

Because peptides are short, enzymes in the body usually break them down quickly. Many research peptides are therefore modified, for instance with amino-acid substitutions or fatty-acid side chains, to change how long they last. Researchers use synthetic peptides to isolate one signalling step, compare receptor selectivity and test whether a pathway can be moved in cell or animal models.

Study areas

What Are Research Peptides Used to Study?

In a laboratory, research peptides are tools: they probe how a receptor signals, how a tissue responds to injury in a model, or how a pathway such as growth hormone release or AMPK is regulated. Six study areas cover the compounds profiled below. Answers to the common questions (are peptides safe, legal or steroids, and what research use only means) are in the FAQ.

Metabolic and GLP-1 signalling

Studies of incretin-axis receptors (GLP-1, GIP, glucagon) and of energy-sensing pathways such as AMPK, measuring signalling, body-weight and glucose endpoints in models and clinical trials.

Profiles: Retatrutide · Semaglutide · Tirzepatide · MOTS-c · Research hub ›

Tissue repair and recovery models

Wound, tendon, muscle and gut-injury models in animals and cell culture, used to study blood-vessel formation, cell migration, growth-factor signalling and inflammatory pathways.

Profiles: BPC-157 · TB-500 · IGF-1 LR3 · Research hub ›

Growth hormone axis

How hypothalamic and pituitary signals (GHRH and ghrelin) control growth hormone release, and how analogues change its timing and size, measured through growth hormone and IGF-1.

Profiles: CJC-1295 · Sermorelin · Tesamorelin · Ipamorelin · Research hub ›

Neuropeptides and cellular ageing

Short peptides studied for effects on neurotransmission, neurotrophin expression and sleep physiology, and for telomerase activity in ageing models.

Profiles: Selank · Semax · DSIP · Epitalon · Research hub ›

Skin and extracellular matrix

Cell and skin models of collagen synthesis, matrix remodelling and copper-dependent signalling.

Profiles: GHK-Cu · Research hub ›

Immune signalling

Models of dendritic-cell and T-cell responses through Toll-like receptor signalling.

Profiles: Thymosin Alpha-1 · Research hub ›

Certificates of Analysis from independent laboratories, including Janoshik Analytical and Freedom Diagnostics, are published for the batches listed on /coa

Mechanism classes

Types of Research Peptides and Their Mechanisms

Research groups sort peptides by the receptor or pathway they act on. These six groups cover every profile in the library below. Each profile is a descriptive summary of published literature, not a recommendation.

Compound library

Research Peptide Library: 17 Compound Profiles

Each profile covers the compound’s mechanism, what published research has and has not shown, evidence quality, laboratory characteristics, certificate status and primary references. These are descriptive literature summaries, not recommendations. The wider catalogue lists more compounds than these 17 profiles; browse the full catalogue.

Showing all 17 compounds

Metabolic Research Tier 1: Human clinical

Retatrutide Research Peptide: Triple Receptor Agonist

Investigational GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptor agonist

Retatrutide (LY3437943) is an investigational peptide researched for its activity at GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors. Its triple-receptor mechanism has been examined in receptor-pharmacology studies and in clinical investigations of metabolic signalling.

What is Retatrutide?

Retatrutide (development code LY3437943) is a synthetic peptide of about 39 amino acids carrying a fatty-diacid side chain that supports albumin binding. The literature describes it as investigational. New-U supplies it only as laboratory research material, not as a medicine.

How does Retatrutide work?

In receptor-pharmacology studies retatrutide activates three receptors of the incretin axis: GLP-1 (linked to glucose-dependent insulin secretion and appetite signalling), GIP, and the glucagon receptor (linked to hepatic and energy-expenditure signalling). How much each receptor contributes to the effects seen in trials is still an active research question.

What has research on Retatrutide investigated?

A randomised Phase 2 obesity trial (Jastreboff et al., N Engl J Med 2023) reported a mean body-weight change of −24.2% at 48 weeks in its highest-dose group, and a Phase 2 trial in type 2 diabetes (Rosenstock et al., Lancet 2023) examined glycaemic and body-weight endpoints. The Phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 trial (N Engl J Med 2026) reported −25.0% at 80 weeks in its highest-dose group against −3.9% with placebo. These results describe supervised trial participants; they say nothing about laboratory material.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 1: Human clinical The strongest evidence tier: randomised human trials. They were sponsored by the developer, ran in defined populations (adults with obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes) and cannot be read across to other groups. Long-term safety, durability of effect and comparisons with other agents are still being established.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 24 Jul 2026, report no. 209088. Reported purity: 99.556% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from. 3 earlier reports are also on file.

Download this report (PDF) All Retatrutide reports on file ›

Retatrutide research guide › Retatrutide product page › Link to this profile

Metabolic Research Tier 1: Human clinical

Semaglutide Research Peptide: GLP-1 Receptor Activity

GLP-1 receptor agonist with an albumin-binding modification

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist examined extensively in metabolic research. Published studies characterise its receptor signalling, pharmacokinetics and metabolic endpoints.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a long-acting analogue of human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Amino-acid substitutions and a C18 fatty-diacid side chain protect it from enzymatic breakdown and promote albumin binding. It is an approved prescription medicine in several jurisdictions; New-U’s research material is not that medicine and is not supplied for human use.

How does Semaglutide work?

Semaglutide binds and activates the GLP-1 receptor, which in published studies engages glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, gastric-emptying and central appetite pathways. The albumin-binding side chain is the structural feature credited with its long apparent half-life.

What has research on Semaglutide investigated?

Large randomised programmes include the STEP 1 obesity trial (Wilding et al., N Engl J Med 2021) and the SELECT cardiovascular-outcomes trial (Lincoff et al., N Engl J Med 2023) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity, without diabetes. The medicinal-chemistry paper by Lau et al. (J Med Chem 2015) describes how the molecule was designed for a long duration of action.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 1: Human clinical The strongest evidence tier: extensive randomised human trials and post-marketing experience. Those findings concern supervised clinical use of the licensed medicine and its documented adverse effects; they do not describe laboratory material.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 30 Apr 2025, report no. 63609. Reported purity: 99.358% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from.

Download this report (PDF) All Semaglutide reports on file ›

Semaglutide research guide › Semaglutide product page › Link to this profile

Metabolic Research Tier 1: Human clinical

Tirzepatide Research Peptide: Dual GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Activity

Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, weighted towards GIP

Tirzepatide (LY3298176) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist studied extensively in metabolic research. Published work characterises its imbalanced receptor signalling, pharmacokinetics and metabolic endpoints.

What is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is a synthetic peptide of 39 amino acids based on the native GIP sequence, with a C20 fatty-diacid side chain, designed to act at both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. It is an approved prescription medicine in several jurisdictions; New-U’s research material is not that medicine and is not supplied for human use.

How does Tirzepatide work?

Receptor-pharmacology work (Willard et al., JCI Insight 2020) describes tirzepatide as an imbalanced and biased dual agonist: full potency at the GIP receptor and weaker, biased signalling at the GLP-1 receptor than native GLP-1. The fatty-diacid side chain binds albumin and extends circulating half-life.

What has research on Tirzepatide investigated?

SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., N Engl J Med 2022) examined body-weight outcomes in adults with obesity, and SURPASS-2 (Frías et al., N Engl J Med 2021) compared tirzepatide with semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes. Each trial has its own population and design, so their results are not interchangeable.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 1: Human clinical The strongest evidence tier: randomised human trials and post-marketing experience, all describing supervised clinical use of the licensed medicine rather than laboratory material. Trial results are specific to each trial’s population, comparator and design.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 27 May 2026, report no. 164666. Reported purity: 99.899% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from. 1 earlier report is also on file.

Download this report (PDF) All Tirzepatide reports on file ›

Tirzepatide research guide › Tirzepatide product page › Link to this profile

Tissue and Cellular Models Tier 2: Animal / preclinical

BPC-157 Research Peptide: Tissue and Cellular Research Models

15-amino-acid peptide studied in tissue-injury and cytoprotection models

BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid peptide described as a partial sequence of a protein found in gastric juice. Published work, mostly in rodents, has examined it in tendon, muscle, gut and nerve injury models. Human evidence is very limited, so this profile focuses on what was observed, in which models, and what remains unproven.

What is BPC-157?

BPC-157 (body protection compound-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide described as a partial sequence of a protein found in gastric juice. It is not an approved medicine.

How does BPC-157 work?

Mechanisms proposed in animal and cell studies include effects on angiogenic signalling (for example VEGFR2), the nitric-oxide system and growth-factor expression. Much of this literature comes from a small number of laboratories, and the mechanisms have not been independently established in people.

What has research on BPC-157 investigated?

A 2025 systematic review of BPC-157 in orthopaedic sports medicine (Vasireddi et al., HSS J) found 36 eligible studies, of which 35 were preclinical and 1 was clinical. Rodent studies have reported outcomes in tendon, ligament, muscle and gastrointestinal injury models (see for example the wound-healing review by Seiwerth et al., Front Pharmacol 2021). Results from animal models do not establish effects in people.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 2: Animal / preclinical Mainly animal (rodent) and cell studies, with a single clinical study in the systematic review above. Independent replication and controlled human trials are lacking, and the compound is not approved as a medicine.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Freedom Diagnostics, report dated 9 Feb 2026, report no. 2602050115. Reported purity: 99.08% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from.

Download this report (PDF) All BPC-157 reports on file ›

BPC-157 research guide › BPC-157 product page › Link to this profile

Regenerative Research Tier 2: Animal / preclinical

TB-500 : Thymosin Beta-4-Related Peptide in Cell-Migration Models

Synthetic thymosin beta-4-related peptide studied in actin and cell-migration models

TB-500 is the name used for synthetic material related to thymosin beta-4, a 43-amino-acid protein that regulates actin, the cell’s structural scaffold. Research on the parent protein has examined cell migration, wound repair and cardiac injury in animal models. Most findings concern thymosin beta-4 itself, so they may not transfer directly to TB-500 material.

What is TB-500?

Thymosin beta-4 is a 43-amino-acid peptide found in nearly all human cells, where it binds monomeric actin. “TB-500” is used loosely for synthetic thymosin beta-4-related material. It is not an approved medicine.

How does TB-500 work?

Thymosin beta-4 sequesters G-actin and, in cell and animal studies, influences cell migration, blood-vessel formation and inflammatory signalling. Bock-Marquette et al. (Nature 2004) reported that it activated integrin-linked kinase and supported cardiac cell survival and repair in mice.

What has research on TB-500 investigated?

Rodent and cell models have examined dermal and corneal wound repair and cardiac injury; Goldstein et al. (Expert Opin Biol Ther 2012) review the basic properties and clinical applications of thymosin beta-4. Clinical work on the parent protein has been limited to specific, supervised settings and is not a study of TB-500 material.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 2: Animal / preclinical Mainly animal and cell studies of the parent protein. Whether TB-500 behaves like thymosin beta-4 is not established in the published literature, and the compound is not approved as a medicine.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 29 Jan 2026, report no. 101943. Reported purity: 99.741% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from.

Download this report (PDF) All TB-500 reports on file ›

TB-500 research guide › TB-500 product page › Link to this profile

GH-Axis Research Mixed (human + animal)

CJC-1295 : Long-Acting GHRH Analogue

Growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue with an albumin-binding (DAC) modification

CJC-1295 with DAC is a long-acting analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). In a published healthy-volunteer study it produced sustained, dose-dependent rises in growth hormone and IGF-1. It has not progressed to approval as a medicine.

What is CJC-1295?

CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH(1–29) analogue. The “DAC” (Drug Affinity Complex) is a chemical group that lets the peptide bind albumin in the blood, extending its duration of action. New-U lists the with-DAC form. It is not an approved medicine.

How does CJC-1295 work?

CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotroph cells and stimulates growth hormone release; growth hormone in turn raises hepatic IGF-1.

What has research on CJC-1295 investigated?

Teichman et al. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006) reported two randomised, placebo-controlled studies in healthy adults. After a single administration, mean growth hormone rose 2- to 10-fold for six days or more and IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold for 9–11 days; the estimated half-life was 5.8–8.1 days and no serious adverse reactions were reported in those short studies.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Mixed (human + animal) Limited human data: short early-phase studies in healthy volunteers from the developer’s programme, with no long-term or outcome trials. The compound is not approved as a medicine.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Freedom Diagnostics, report dated 9 Feb 2026, report no. 2602050112. Reported purity: 99.669% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from.

Download this report (PDF) All CJC-1295 reports on file ›

CJC-1295 research guide › CJC-1295 product page › Link to this profile

GH-Axis Research Tier 2: Animal / preclinical

Ipamorelin : Selective Ghrelin-Receptor Agonist

Pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue acting at the ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) and triggers pituitary growth hormone release. Early pharmacology described it as unusually selective for growth hormone over cortisol and ACTH. Its one notable controlled trial, in postoperative ileus, did not show a significant benefit.

What is Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) is a pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue developed in the 1990s. It is not an approved medicine.

How does Ipamorelin work?

Ipamorelin mimics ghrelin at GHS-R1a on pituitary cells to stimulate growth hormone release. Raun et al. (Eur J Endocrinol 1998) reported, in rat and swine experiments, that unlike earlier secretagogues it released growth hormone without a marked rise in ACTH or cortisol.

What has research on Ipamorelin investigated?

A Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial (Beck et al., Int J Colorectal Dis 2014) tested ipamorelin in postoperative ileus after bowel surgery in 117 patients and found no significant difference from placebo in the time to tolerate a solid meal. Other work is preclinical or small-scale pharmacology.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 2: Animal / preclinical Limited human data: one controlled trial that was negative on its key endpoint, plus early pharmacology. There is no approved indication.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 27 Jul 2026, report no. 209151. Reported purity: 99.804% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from.

Download this report (PDF) All Ipamorelin reports on file ›

Ipamorelin research guide › Ipamorelin product page › Link to this profile

GH-Axis Research Mixed (human + animal)

Sermorelin : GHRH(1–29) Receptor Activity

Truncated 29-amino-acid fragment of human growth hormone-releasing hormone

Sermorelin is the first 29 amino acids of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the shortest fragment that keeps full biological activity. A branded product was formerly marketed in the US for diagnostic use and paediatric growth-hormone deficiency before its manufacturer discontinued it. It remains a reference compound in GH-axis research.

What is Sermorelin?

Sermorelin (GRF 1–29) retains the receptor-binding and activating region of native GHRH. It is no longer marketed as an approved product in the US, and New-U supplies it only as laboratory research material.

How does Sermorelin work?

Sermorelin binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs and stimulates pulsatile growth hormone secretion, which stays subject to somatostatin feedback. Its plasma half-life is only minutes.

What has research on Sermorelin investigated?

Prakash and Goa (BioDrugs 1999) review sermorelin’s clinical pharmacology and its use in diagnosing and treating idiopathic growth-hormone deficiency in children. It is also used as a reference GHRH agonist when comparing other GH-axis compounds.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Mixed (human + animal) Human clinical evidence is established for its historical diagnostic and paediatric uses; evidence for other uses is limited. Findings concern supervised clinical use of a discontinued product, not laboratory material.

Purity and verification

No public Certificate of Analysis is listed for Sermorelin yet. Contact support with your order reference if a public certificate for your compound is not yet listed. Reports for other compounds are on the COA page.

Sermorelin research guide › Sermorelin product page › Link to this profile

GH-Axis Research Tier 1: Human clinical

Tesamorelin : Stabilised GHRH Analogue

44-amino-acid GHRH analogue with an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoyl modification

Tesamorelin is a stabilised analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone, approved in the US as a prescription medicine for a specific HIV-associated indication. Phase 3 trials examined its effects on visceral abdominal fat and IGF-1. Those findings describe supervised clinical use, not laboratory material.

What is Tesamorelin?

Tesamorelin is a 44-amino-acid synthetic GHRH analogue with a trans-3-hexenoyl group at the N-terminus, which slows enzymatic degradation. The branded medicine is approved by the US FDA to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

How does Tesamorelin work?

Like native GHRH, tesamorelin activates the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs and increases growth hormone release and IGF-1. Growth hormone-mediated effects on visceral fat are the proposed route to the fat-reduction endpoints seen in trials.

What has research on Tesamorelin investigated?

A pooled analysis of two Phase 3 trials (Falutz et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010) reported reductions in visceral adipose tissue versus placebo in HIV-infected adults with excess abdominal fat. Dhillon (Drugs 2011) reviews the clinical programme and safety findings.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 1: Human clinical The strongest evidence tier, but within a narrow population (HIV-associated lipodystrophy). Results cannot be assumed to generalise to other populations, and they describe supervised clinical use of the licensed medicine.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 27 May 2026, report no. 164648. Reported purity: 98.589% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from.

Download this report (PDF) All Tesamorelin reports on file ›

Tesamorelin research guide › Tesamorelin product page › Link to this profile

Cellular Senescence Research Mixed (human + animal)

GHK-Cu Copper Peptide: Skin and Extracellular Matrix Research

Copper-binding tripeptide studied in skin, wound and gene-expression models

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) first isolated from human plasma. Published work has examined its effects on collagen synthesis, extracellular-matrix remodelling and gene expression in cell, animal and cosmetic-science studies. Human evidence is limited and mostly topical.

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK is a tripeptide that binds copper(II) with high affinity, and its plasma level is reported to fall with age. GHK-Cu is used in cosmetic formulations and as a research tool in matrix-biology studies. It is not an approved medicine.

How does GHK-Cu work?

Cell-based and gene-expression studies (reviewed by Pickart and Margolina, Int J Mol Sci 2018) describe GHK-Cu as modulating collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, metalloproteinase activity and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. The broad gene-expression findings come from cell-based and database analyses and need independent confirmation.

What has research on GHK-Cu investigated?

Pickart et al. (Biomed Res Int 2015) review cell studies, animal wound models and small topical skin studies. Part of the literature comes from the compound’s originators and from cosmetic-industry testing, so independent replication matters.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Mixed (human + animal) Mainly cell and animal data with small topical human cosmetic studies. There are no outcome trials for any systemic use, and the compound is not approved as a medicine.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 26 Jun 2026, report no. 196358. Reported purity: 99.950% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from. 1 earlier report is also on file.

Download this report (PDF) All GHK-Cu reports on file ›

GHK-Cu research guide › GHK-Cu product page › Link to this profile

Short-Peptide Bioregulators Mixed (human + animal)

Epitalon : Telomerase Research in Cell Models

Synthetic tetrapeptide studied for telomerase activity and circadian signalling

Epitalon (Epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, developed from a pineal-gland extract. Small studies, largely from one research group, report effects on telomerase activity in cultured human cells and on age-related endpoints in animals. Independent replication is limited.

What is Epitalon?

Epitalon was designed by Vladimir Khavinson’s group in St Petersburg as a synthetic version of a short sequence proposed to be active in epithalamin, a bovine pineal extract. It is not an approved medicine.

How does Epitalon work?

Khavinson et al. (Bull Exp Biol Med 2003) reported that Epitalon induced telomerase activity and telomere elongation in cultured human somatic cells. Proposed effects on melatonin rhythms and gene expression are described mainly in animal and cell studies.

What has research on Epitalon investigated?

Animal studies have reported effects on lifespan and age-related endpoints, and a small number of human studies from the same research tradition have reported biomarker changes in older adults. These have not been widely replicated outside the originating group.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Mixed (human + animal) Mainly cell and animal data. The few human reports are small and come largely from one group, so the certainty of the evidence is low and the compound is not approved as a medicine.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 27 May 2026, report no. 167655. Reported purity: 98.748% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from.

Download this report (PDF) All Epitalon reports on file ›

Epitalon research guide › Epitalon product page › Link to this profile

Muscle & IGF Research Tier 2: Animal / preclinical

IGF-1 LR3 : Modified IGF-1 Receptor Agonist

83-amino-acid IGF-1 analogue with reduced binding-protein affinity

IGF-1 LR3 is a recombinant analogue of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) engineered to bind IGF-binding proteins only weakly. It is widely used in cell-culture work as a more potent growth factor than native IGF-1. In-vivo evidence comes from animal studies, and it is not an approved medicine.

What is IGF-1 LR3?

Long R3 IGF-1 is an 83-amino-acid human IGF-1 variant with an arginine substitution at position 3 and a 13-residue N-terminal extension. These changes sharply reduce binding to IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) while preserving binding to the IGF-1 receptor.

How does IGF-1 LR3 work?

Binding the IGF-1 receptor activates PI3K/Akt and MAPK signalling pathways that regulate cell growth, survival and metabolism. Because IGFBPs normally restrain free IGF-1, an analogue that evades them shows higher potency in cell assays.

What has research on IGF-1 LR3 investigated?

Tomas et al. (J Endocrinol 1996) reported greater potency than native IGF-1 in rats, attributed to reduced binding-protein interaction, and Shoubridge et al. (Endocrinology 2003) compared how the two reach intestinal tissue. In cell biology it is a common supplement for serum-free culture media.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 2: Animal / preclinical Mainly cell-culture and animal evidence; no controlled human studies of this analogue are cited here. IGF-1 signalling is also a recognised area of safety research, and the compound is not approved as a medicine.

Purity and verification

No public Certificate of Analysis is listed for IGF-1 LR3 yet. Contact support with your order reference if a public certificate for your compound is not yet listed. Reports for other compounds are on the COA page.

IGF-1 LR3 research guide › IGF-1 LR3 product page › Link to this profile

Cognitive Research Mixed (human + animal)

Selank : Tuftsin-Derived Neuropeptide

Heptapeptide derived from the immune peptide tuftsin, studied in anxiety and GABA-signalling models

Selank (TP-7) is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from tuftsin, a peptide of the immune system. It was developed in Russia and has been studied in anxiety-related models and in gene-expression work on GABAergic signalling. The published evidence is limited in scale and largely from regional research groups.

What is Selank?

Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) joins the tuftsin sequence to a Pro-Gly-Pro tail that slows breakdown. It was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is not approved as a medicine in the US or EU.

How does Selank work?

Gene-expression work in rat frontal cortex (Volkova et al., Front Pharmacol 2016) reported that Selank altered the expression of genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission. Effects on monoamine and enkephalin systems and on BDNF are proposed in animal studies.

What has research on Selank investigated?

A rat study of the tuftsin analogue TP-7 (Czabak-Garbacz et al., Pharmacol Rep 2006) reported anxiety-related behavioural effects during a four-week study. Published human data are limited and mostly regional, and none are cited here.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Mixed (human + animal) Mainly animal and cell studies. Controlled human trials in widely accessible journals are lacking, and the compound is not approved as a medicine in the US or EU.

Purity and verification

No public Certificate of Analysis is listed for Selank yet. Contact support with your order reference if a public certificate for your compound is not yet listed. Reports for other compounds are on the COA page.

Selank research guide › Selank product page › Link to this profile

Cognitive Research Mixed (human + animal)

Semax : ACTH-Derived Neuropeptide and BDNF Research

Heptapeptide analogue of an ACTH fragment, studied in neurotrophin-expression models

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide based on a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) that lacks hormonal activity. Rodent studies have examined its effects on BDNF and other neurotrophin expression. It was developed in Russia, and controlled human evidence outside that setting is limited.

What is Semax?

Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) pairs an ACTH(4–7) fragment with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide that protects it from degradation. It was developed in Russia and is not approved as a medicine in the US or EU.

How does Semax work?

Dolotov et al. (Brain Res 2006) reported that Semax increased BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus, and Agapova et al. (Neurosci Lett 2007) reported neurotrophin gene-expression changes in rat brain. Interactions with melanocortin and monoaminergic systems have been proposed.

What has research on Semax investigated?

Research has examined Semax in rodent models of cerebral ischaemia and cognition, and clinical reports from Russia have studied it in stroke rehabilitation. Many of these studies are small, appeared in regional journals and have not been independently replicated.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Mixed (human + animal) Limited human data, mostly small studies from one regional research tradition, alongside animal work. The compound is not approved as a medicine in the US or EU.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 23 Jun 2026, report no. 196364. Reported purity: 99.163% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from. 1 earlier report is also on file.

Download this report (PDF) All Semax reports on file ›

Semax research guide › Semax product page › Link to this profile

Cognitive Research Tier 3: Limited / anecdotal

DSIP : Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide

Nonapeptide first isolated from rabbit blood during induced sleep

DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide) is a nine-amino-acid peptide first isolated in the 1970s from the cerebral blood of rabbits during induced sleep. Despite decades of study its mechanism and physiological role remain unresolved, and human studies are small with inconsistent results.

What is DSIP?

DSIP (Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu) was named for its apparent ability to promote delta-wave EEG activity in rabbits. Researchers have since reported it in a range of tissues and linked it to stress and neuroendocrine signalling. It is not an approved medicine.

How does DSIP work?

Kovalzon and Strekalova (J Neurochem 2006) review the field as “a still unresolved riddle”, emphasising that its physiological role and mechanism remain unresolved. Proposed actions on sleep, stress hormones and neurotransmission are not firmly established.

What has research on DSIP investigated?

Early animal and small human studies reported effects on sleep architecture and stress markers; Graf and Kastin (Peptides 1986) summarise this first generation of work. Later results were mixed.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 3: Limited / anecdotal Limited human data: small, early studies with inconsistent results, and an unresolved mechanism. The compound is not approved as a medicine.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 27 Jul 2026, report no. 209165. Reported purity: 99.187% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from.

Download this report (PDF) All DSIP reports on file ›

DSIP research guide › DSIP product page › Link to this profile

Metabolic Research Tier 2: Animal / preclinical

MOTS-c : Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide and AMPK Signalling

16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA, studied in metabolic-signalling models

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in the mitochondrial genome. In mouse studies it improved insulin sensitivity and reduced diet-induced obesity, and it has been linked to AMPK signalling. Human data are mostly observational measurements of circulating levels.

What is MOTS-c?

MOTS-c (mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c) is one of a family of mitochondrial-derived peptides. Lee et al. (Cell Metab 2015) identified it and described its metabolic effects in mice. It is not an approved medicine.

How does MOTS-c work?

The proposed mechanism is an effect on folate–purine metabolism that raises AICAR and activates AMPK, a central energy-sensing kinase; it has also been reported to move to the nucleus under metabolic stress. Reviews such as Zheng et al. (Front Endocrinol 2023) summarise these mechanisms and their open questions.

What has research on MOTS-c investigated?

Mouse studies reported improved glucose handling and reduced weight gain on a high-fat diet. In people, published work consists largely of observational studies measuring circulating MOTS-c, for example Domin et al. (Int J Mol Sci 2023) on serum levels and muscle strength.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 2: Animal / preclinical Mainly animal and cell evidence; human data are observational or preliminary. The compound is not approved as a medicine.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 28 Apr 2026, report no. 150240. Reported purity: 99.637% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from. 1 earlier report is also on file.

Download this report (PDF) All MOTS-c reports on file ›

MOTS-c research guide › MOTS-c product page › Link to this profile

Regenerative Research Tier 1: Human clinical

Thymosin Alpha-1 : Immune-Signalling Peptide

28-amino-acid thymic peptide studied in immune-modulation models

Thymosin alpha-1 is a 28-amino-acid peptide first isolated from thymus tissue. Its synthetic form, thymalfasin, is licensed as a medicine in a number of countries for specific indications and has been studied in infection and oncology settings. Trial results have been mixed, and the quality of evidence varies by indication.

What is Thymosin Alpha-1?

Thymosin alpha-1 is an N-acetylated 28-amino-acid peptide derived from prothymosin alpha. The synthetic form, thymalfasin, is marketed in some countries but is not approved by the US FDA.

How does Thymosin Alpha-1 work?

Garaci et al. (Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007) describe thymosin alpha-1 as activating dendritic cells through Toll-like receptor signalling, influencing the balance of inflammation and T-cell responses. These are the proposed mechanisms behind its use alongside other therapies in the cited studies.

What has research on Thymosin Alpha-1 investigated?

Randomised trials have examined thymosin alpha-1 in chronic hepatitis B, and in cancer and other infection settings, usually combined with other therapies. A 2026 Cochrane review of randomised trials in chronic hepatitis B (Naing et al.) describes earlier results as inconsistent and rates the certainty of the evidence as very low for most outcomes.

Primary references

Pharmacokinetics and laboratory characteristics

Half-life figures are approximate values from New-U’s reference data and the clinical-pharmacology literature; only where a profile cites a study for it is the figure taken from that study.

Evidence quality

Tier 1: Human clinical Human trials exist, but results are inconsistent and depend heavily on indication, combination therapy and study quality. Findings concern supervised clinical use of a licensed product, not laboratory material.

Purity and verification

Published Certificate of Analysis: Janoshik Analytical, report dated 27 May 2026, report no. 164630. Reported purity: 99.748% . It reports one sample on its report date and does not identify which sale lot that sample came from.

Download this report (PDF) All Thymosin Alpha-1 reports on file ›

Thymosin Alpha-1 research guide › Thymosin Alpha-1 product page › Link to this profile

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Try a compound name, a receptor such as GLP-1 or GHS-R1a, or a research category. The wider catalogue lists more compounds than these profiles.

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At a glance

How to Compare Research Peptides by Mechanism and Evidence

Every compound side by side: research category, primary target, evidence category, published half-life and certificate status. The evidence category describes the kind of research that exists, not how well a compound works.

Verification

Understanding Peptide Purity, HPLC Testing and COAs

Every released sale batch must pass independent verification before it is offered for sale. A published report is evidence about the sample it analysed. This section explains what a purity figure and a certificate do and do not show.

Public Certificates of Analysis are currently listed for 14 of the 17 compounds profiled above. No public certificate is listed yet for Sermorelin, IGF-1 LR3 or Selank. Coverage changes as new reports are published, so each profile states its own status rather than assuming one.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Peptides

The most common questions, answered in plain language and framed for research context. Not medical advice.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. They use the same building blocks as proteins, only shorter (about 2–50 amino acids). Many act as signalling molecules in biology. Research often studies compounds such as BPC-157, GHK-Cu, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide and Retatrutide. New-U supplies them as research chemicals only.

Different peptides act on different pathways, and research groups them by the receptor or pathway involved: incretin-receptor agonists (Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide); growth hormone-axis peptides (CJC-1295, Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, Ipamorelin); tissue-repair and cell-signalling models (BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, IGF-1 LR3); neuropeptides (Selank, Semax, DSIP); cellular-ageing and mitochondrial peptides (Epitalon, MOTS-c); and immune-signalling peptides (Thymosin Alpha-1). Each profile above names its mechanism from the published literature. Descriptions are educational, not recommendations.

Safety depends on the specific peptide, the study context and material quality. Some related medicines have large human trials. Many research peptides have mainly preclinical data. New-U material is research-use-only. We make no human safety or dosing claims. Certificates of Analysis are published for the batches listed on /coa, and each reports its own measured result.

No. Published Certificates of Analysis are available for the batches listed on /coa, and coverage differs by compound. Each profile in the library states whether a report is listed, with its laboratory, test date and measured purity. A certificate reports one sample on its test date; it does not state which sale lot that sample came from.

Each profile carries the catalogue’s evidence category for that compound. Tier 1: Human clinical means the compound has been studied in published human clinical trials. Mixed (human + animal) means the evidence base mixes human and animal or preclinical data. Tier 2: Animal / preclinical means the published evidence is mainly preclinical, with at most small human pilot or observational studies. Tier 3: Limited / anecdotal means little controlled research has been published for the compound itself. The category describes the published literature only; it is not regulatory approval and not a claim about New-U’s research material.

Research peptides such as BPC-157, GHK-Cu, Retatrutide and Tirzepatide are not scheduled narcotics. Most are also not approved medicines for human use. They sit in a research-chemical category for bona-fide lab work. Local rules vary. Buyers are responsible for compliance. New-U supplies research-use-only compounds. We do not provide therapy, treatment or medical advice.

No. Anabolic steroids are lipid molecules on a cholesterol backbone. They act directly on hormone receptors. Peptides are short amino-acid chains. They usually act as signals rather than replacing a hormone. The chemistry and research questions differ.

"Peptide therapy" is a loose marketing term. In regulated medicine it means an approved peptide medicine for an approved indication. New-U supplies research-use-only compounds and publishes Certificates of Analysis where a report exists (see /coa). We do not operate a clinic. We do not provide therapy, treatment or dosing advice. See our peptide therapy explainer.

New-U research compounds are supplied as lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder. Store each one as its product page recommends, away from light, heat and moisture. New-U does not provide reconstitution or dosing instructions.

The incretin-receptor agonists Semaglutide, Tirzepatide and Retatrutide have the largest bodies of published human trial data in this library. MOTS-c is studied in mitochondrial and AMPK signalling models. Each profile states its evidence category and its limits. Described here for research context only; New-U does not sell any compound for human use.

Growth hormone-axis research covers the GHRH analogues CJC-1295, Sermorelin and Tesamorelin and the ghrelin-receptor agonist Ipamorelin. Tissue-injury and cell-migration models include BPC-157, TB-500 and GHK-Cu, and IGF-1 LR3 is studied as a growth-factor analogue. Evidence for these ranges from human trials to animal and cell work, so each profile states its category. Not a training or dosing recommendation.

Research use only (RUO) means the material is for laboratory and scientific research. It is not intended or sold for human or veterinary consumption. For laboratory and research use only — not for human or veterinary use. 21+. That is why this guide is descriptive, not a set of usage instructions.

Scientific References and Further Reading

Each compound profile lists its own primary references with PubMed, DOI and trial-registry links. These are the databases to check them against, plus mainstream coverage of the peptide category. For research use only - not medical advice.

Databases & literature

Peptides in the news

Keep reading

Related research guides

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Research peptides. Third-party Certificates of Analysis (Janoshik Analytical & Freedom Diagnostics) are published on the website. Supplied strictly for laboratory research use.

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