Humanin

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA. It was discovered as a protective factor against Alzheimer's disease amyloid toxicity. It has cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic, and metabolic effects.

PubMed results: 512 · Human studies: 298 · Animal studies: 433

Ranges reflect protocols studied in published research and animal-model extrapolation. Presented for research purposes only, not a recommendation or instruction for human use.

Doses studied in published research. Information presented for research purposes only, not a recommendation for human use.

• Intraperitoneal — standard range 2–5 mg/kg (analog-dependent, rodent), Once daily or every other day (preclinical). Published rodent work used HNG/HNGF6A and related analogs across roughly 4 mcg/kg/day to several mg/kg/day (IP, IV, or intracerebroventricular depending on model). Ranges from animal research; no established human protocol.
• Subcutaneous — standard range No established dosing, Not established. No validated human clinical dose for native humanin; human data are largely observational (endogenous peptide levels), not controlled dosing trials.

Not established in humans (~30 min mice; >4 h rats, analogs) (low confidence)

Rodent PK of humanin analogs (e.g. HNG): ~30 min plasma half-life in wild-type mice after IP; longer (>4 h) in rats and when IGFBP-3 binding is reduced. No published human pharmacokinetic half-life.

• Cytoprotection against amyloid toxicity research (Strong preclinical): Humanin, a mitochondrial-encoded 24-amino-acid peptide, was identified as a protective factor against Alzheimer's disease-related amyloid toxicity in experimental models and remains a major focus of neurodegeneration research
• Anti-apoptotic and metabolic cytoprotection (Strong preclinical): Research suggests humanin exerts anti-apoptotic and metabolic effects across cell and animal models, including studies of mitochondrial signaling and stress resistance
• Ischemia and organ-injury research contexts (Limited): Investigational literature has examined humanin-related pathways in myocardial ischemia, acute kidney injury, and transplant-related stress models, with human clinical datasets still emerging
• Muscle and endocrine research applications (Limited): Research programs have explored humanin in muscle contracture/spasticity and polycystic ovary syndrome–related metabolic contexts, though evidence remains primarily preclinical or early translational

• No robust documented human adverse profile — Mild, Not established. Formal clinical safety datasets for humanin remain limited relative to approved pharmaceuticals; most published work is preclinical or early investigational
• Injection site reactions (theoretical for peptide research use) — Mild, Anecdotal. As with other research peptides administered parenterally, mild local injection-site reactions are theoretically expected though humanin-specific rates are not well established

• Insufficient clinical safety characterization (Theoretical / Preclinical): Limited controlled human safety data means contraindications are not firmly established beyond general investigational peptide research cautions
• Active malignancy theoretical concern (Theoretical / Preclinical): Cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic properties raise a theoretical concern that survival-promoting signaling could be undesirable in active cancer research contexts, though direct clinical evidence is lacking

Lyophilized (powder): Refrigerated (2-8°C), Up to 24 months. Light sensitive: yes, store dark

Reconstituted (solution): Refrigerated (2-8°C), 4-6 weeks. Solvent: Bacteriostatic water

• NCT05506228 — How Are the Muscles Affected in Cerebral Palsy? A Study of Muscle Biopsies Taken During Orthopaedic Surgery., status: RECRUITING. Indications: Cerebral Palsy, Muscle, Muscle Contracture, Muscle Spasticity
• NCT06125249 — Humanin's Value for Early Diagnosis and Short-term Prognosis in Patients With AKI After Heart Transplantation, status: UNKNOWN. Indications: Acute Kidney Injury, Heart Transplant Surgery
• NCT06105229 — Clinical Value of Plasma Humanin in Acute Kidney Injury, status: UNKNOWN. Indications: Acute Kidney Injury
• NCT04104958 — IVF Outcome in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients, status: UNKNOWN. Indications: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• NCT03431844 — Humanin Isoforms in Cardiac Muscle and Blood Plasma and Major Complications After Cardiac Operation, status: COMPLETED. Indications: Myocardial Ischemia, Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
• NCT07438002 — Analysis of Effects of High-intensity Physical Exercise in Subjects With Dialyzed Chronic Kidney Disease and in Conservative Treatment (NA), status: RECRUITING. Indications: Chronic Kidney Disease