Fat Loss & Metabolic

Anti-Obesity Drug 9604 · hGH Fragment 177-191

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (hGH 177-191) that retains the lipolytic properties of GH without its anabolic or diabetogenic effects. It stimulates lipolysis through β3-adrenergic receptor pathways and inhibits lipogenesis. Phase 3 trials for obesity were conducted; it has since been investigated for osteoarthritis through cartilage repair properties.

CCK · CCK-8

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone produced by duodenal I-cells and neurons in the CNS. It triggers gallbladder contraction, pancreatic enzyme secretion, and potently suppresses appetite via vagal nerve CCK1 receptors. In the brain, CCK neurons modulate anxiety, pain, memory consolidation, and dopamine release. CCK antagonists are studied for anxiety and pain; CCK agonists for obesity and eating disorders.

Byetta · Bydureon

Exenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist derived from exendin-4, a peptide found in Gila monster saliva. The first GLP-1 RA approved for type 2 diabetes, it established the GLP-1 drug class. Extended-release formulations (Bydureon) allow once-weekly dosing. Emerging research explores repurposing for Parkinson's disease, where small trials show motor improvement, and Alzheimer's disease neuroprotection.

FGF-21

FGF-21 is a 181-amino-acid endocrine fibroblast growth factor secreted by the liver under fasting conditions. It promotes fatty acid oxidation, ketogenesis, insulin sensitization, and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Animal studies show it extends lifespan and reverses metabolic syndrome. Long-acting FGF-21 analogs and fusion proteins (efruxifermin, pegbelfermin) are in Phase 2–3 trials for NASH, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

HGH Frag 176-191 · Growth Hormone Fragment 176-191

Fragment 176-191 is the C-terminal amino acid sequence 176–191 of human growth hormone, closely related to AOD-9604. It mimics the lipolytic activity of natural GH without binding to the GH receptor, thus avoiding insulin resistance and proliferative effects. Research shows it reduces fat mass in animal models by enhancing fat metabolism and inhibiting new fat formation.

GAL

Galanin is a 29-30 amino acid neuropeptide widely distributed throughout the CNS and peripheral nervous system. It modulates memory, mood, pain, seizures, appetite, and sleep via three receptor subtypes (GALR1–3). Research focuses on its roles in Alzheimer's disease (galanin hyperinnervation of cholinergic neurons), depression, epilepsy, and eating behavior. Both agonists and antagonists have therapeutic potential depending on the target condition.

Motilin-related peptide · Growth hormone secretagogue

Ghrelin is a 28-amino-acid acylated peptide hormone primarily produced by gastric X/A-like cells and is the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). It stimulates GH release, increases appetite and food intake, promotes energy storage, and modulates sleep and mood. Research explores ghrelin axis manipulation for obesity, cachexia, heart failure, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide · Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide

GIP is a 42-amino-acid incretin hormone secreted by duodenal K-cells in response to fat and carbohydrate ingestion. Like GLP-1, it enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Unlike GLP-1, it also promotes insulin secretion during hypoglycemia, protects β-cells, and at high doses may stimulate glucagon in a glucose-independent manner. The GIP receptor's role in energy homeostasis underlies the efficacy of dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists like tirzepatide.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 · GLP-1(7-37)

GLP-1 is an endogenous incretin hormone secreted by intestinal L-cells in response to nutrient ingestion. It enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and signals satiety to the hypothalamus. Native GLP-1 has a half-life of only 1–2 minutes due to DPP-4 degradation, which drove the development of DPP-4-resistant analogs (semaglutide, liraglutide, exenatide) that are now major drug classes.

GCG

Glucagon is a 29-amino-acid pancreatic alpha-cell hormone and physiological counter-regulator to insulin. It raises blood glucose through hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and is also lipolytic and thermogenic at supraphysiological doses. FDA-approved for hypoglycemia rescue and GI relaxation, it is now a major drug design target as a component of dual (GLP-1/glucagon) and triple agonists for obesity and NASH treatment.

Victoza · Saxenda

Liraglutide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and obesity (Saxenda). It achieves fatty acid attachment to albumin for extended half-life, enabling daily dosing. The LEADER trial established significant cardiovascular mortality benefit in high-risk patients, and research continues into neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties beyond metabolic indications.

Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA Type-C

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondria-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA gene. It regulates AMPK signaling, enhances insulin sensitivity, promotes muscle glucose uptake independently of insulin, and improves exercise capacity. Animal studies show it extends lifespan and protects against diet-induced obesity and age-related metabolic dysfunction. It translocates to the nucleus under stress to regulate adaptive gene expression.

NPY

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-amino-acid peptide and the most abundant neuropeptide in the mammalian CNS, acting through Y1–Y6 receptors. It is a potent orexigenic signal (stimulating appetite and fat storage), anxiolytic agent, vasoconstrictor, and regulator of circadian rhythms. Paradoxically, peripheral NPY promotes fat accumulation while central NPY drives food intake — making it a complex but high-priority metabolic research target.

NT · NTS

Neurotensin is a 13-amino-acid neuropeptide found in the brain and GI tract. Centrally, it modulates dopamine circuits, acts as an endogenous antipsychotic-like agent, and is analgesic. Peripherally, it inhibits gastric acid secretion, stimulates pancreatic secretion, and promotes fat absorption. Research explores neurotensin analogs for pain, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and metabolic regulation.

PYY · PYY3-36

Peptide YY (PYY) is a 36-amino-acid gut hormone released by L-cells postprandially. The truncated form PYY3-36 is the predominant circulating form and acts as a potent satiety signal by inhibiting NPY neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Research and early clinical trials demonstrate that PYY3-36 administration significantly reduces food intake. It represents a key component of gut-brain appetite regulation studied for obesity treatment.

Symlin · synthetic amylin

Pramlintide is a synthetic analog of amylin, a peptide co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic β-cells. Approved as adjunct therapy to insulin in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it slows gastric emptying, suppresses postprandial glucagon, and promotes satiety. It is the only amylinomimetic approved for clinical use and is studied for its complementary role to insulin in postprandial glucose control.

LY3437943

Retatrutide is a triple agonist targeting GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors simultaneously. Phase 2 trials demonstrated up to 24.2% body weight reduction — the highest achieved by any pharmacotherapy to date. The addition of glucagon agonism enhances energy expenditure and lipid metabolism beyond dual incretin agonists. Phase 3 trials are underway for obesity and NASH.

Ozempic · Wegovy

Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Rybelsus) and obesity (Wegovy). By mimicking the incretin hormone GLP-1, it enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite via central hypothalamic pathways. Landmark trials demonstrate up to 15–17% body weight reduction and significant cardiovascular mortality benefit.

Egrifta · TH9507

Tesamorelin is a stabilized synthetic GHRH analog FDA-approved for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. It stimulates pulsatile GH secretion while preserving natural feedback regulation. Research demonstrates significant visceral adipose tissue reduction, improved lipid profiles, and cognitive benefits, making it a key study compound for metabolic dysfunction.

Mounjaro · Zepbound

Tirzepatide is the first dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and obesity (Zepbound). By co-activating both incretin receptors, it achieves superior glycemic control and weight reduction compared to GLP-1 monotherapy — SURMOUNT trials showed up to 22.5% body weight reduction. It represents a new class of metabolic peptide therapeutics with broad cardiovascular and metabolic benefits.

Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone · α-Melanotropin

α-MSH is an endogenous 13-amino-acid peptide derived from POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin). It activates MC1R to stimulate melanin production in skin, MC4R to suppress appetite and regulate energy expenditure, and MC3R/MC1R to exert potent anti-inflammatory effects. It is the parent compound from which many synthetic melanocortin analogs (Melanotan I, II, PT-141, KPV) were derived and remains a cornerstone of melanocortin pharmacology research.