Healing & Recovery

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone · Corticotropin

ACTH is a 39-amino-acid peptide hormone released by the anterior pituitary in response to CRH. Its primary role is stimulating the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol, but it also has direct melanotropic and lipolytic effects. Synthetic forms (cosyntropin) are used diagnostically for adrenal insufficiency testing. Longer-acting formulations (H.P. Acthar Gel) are approved for multiple sclerosis relapses, infantile spasms, and various inflammatory conditions.

AM

Adrenomedullin is a 52-amino-acid vasoactive peptide originally isolated from human pheochromocytoma. It is a potent vasodilator acting through CGRP receptors, promotes natriuresis, reduces inflammation, protects vascular endothelial barrier function, and enhances wound healing. Circulating AM levels rise in heart failure, sepsis, and critical illness — making it both a biomarker and emerging therapeutic target.

Body Protection Compound 157 · PL 14736

BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid peptide fragment derived from human gastric juice. It is one of the most extensively researched peptides for tissue repair, demonstrating accelerated healing of tendons, ligaments, muscle, bone, and gut lining in animal models. It appears to upregulate growth hormone receptors and promote angiogenesis at injury sites.

C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂ · 1419.55 Da

Hydrolyzed Collagen · Collagen Hydrolysate

Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are short-chain amino acid sequences (2–20 amino acids) produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen. Research demonstrates that specific collagen dipeptides and tripeptides (Pro-Hyp, Hyp-Gly) are absorbed intact, reach fibroblasts in skin and joints, and stimulate collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis. Meta-analyses support effects on skin elasticity, wrinkle depth, joint pain, and muscle mass when combined with resistance exercise.

Trappin-2 · SKALP

Elafin is an endogenous serine protease inhibitor (serpin-like) peptide produced by epithelial cells at mucosal surfaces. It inhibits neutrophil elastase and proteinase 3, protecting tissues from excessive inflammatory damage, while also exhibiting direct antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Research focuses on inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, ARDS, and vaginal microbiome modulation, where recombinant elafin is in Phase 2 trials.

Copper Peptide GHK · Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. Research demonstrates it stimulates collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, promotes wound healing, reduces inflammation, and activates protective antioxidant genes. Plasma levels decline with age, making it a significant anti-aging research target.

C₁₄H₂₄CuN₆O₄ · 340.84 Da (free ligand)

Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6 · His-DTrp-Ala-Trp-DPhe-Lys-NH₂

GHRP-6 is one of the original synthetic GHRPs, acting as a strong ghrelin receptor agonist. It produces robust GH release accompanied by significant appetite stimulation — a property that makes it both valuable for cachexia research and distinct from cleaner GHRPs like Ipamorelin. Research also shows cytoprotective and cardioprotective properties independent of GH secretion.

C₄₆H₅₆N₁₂O₆ · 873.02 Da

Lys-Pro-Val · α-MSH C-terminal tripeptide

KPV is a tripeptide derived from the C-terminal sequence of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-κB signaling and proinflammatory cytokine production. Research is particularly focused on its potential for inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and skin inflammation, with studies showing efficacy even when administered orally or topically.

Cathelicidin · hCAP18/LL-37

LL-37 is the only known human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, derived from the C-terminus of hCAP18 protein. It exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses by disrupting microbial membranes. Beyond direct killing, LL-37 modulates inflammation, promotes wound healing, and may have anticancer properties. Research focuses on chronic wound care, infection, and skin disorders like rosacea.

MGF · IGF-1Ec

Mechano Growth Factor (MGF) is a splice variant of the IGF-1 gene expressed in response to mechanical loading and muscle damage. Unlike systemic IGF-1, MGF activates satellite cells (muscle stem cells) to proliferate before differentiating — a critical step in muscle repair and growth. Research indicates it plays a distinct, non-overlapping role with systemic IGF-1 in tissue regeneration.

Pal-GHK · Matrixyl component

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a lipopeptide created by palmitoylating GHK (glycyl-histidyl-lysine), the same sequence as GHK-Cu without copper. The palmitoyl group enhances skin penetration, while the GHK sequence signals fibroblasts to upregulate collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid synthesis. It is a primary active ingredient in Matrixyl formulations and widely used in anti-aging cosmetics with clinical data supporting wrinkle reduction.

Serelaxin · H2 relaxin

Relaxin-2 is an endogenous peptide hormone structurally related to insulin, primarily known for its role in pregnancy (cervical ripening, joint laxity). Research discovered its potent anti-fibrotic properties — it remodels collagen networks in heart, kidney, lung, and liver — making it a leading candidate for fibrosis and acute heart failure. Serelaxin (recombinant relaxin) reached Phase 3 trials for acute heart failure with promising early signals but did not meet primary endpoints.

Arg-Gly-Asp · Integrin-binding peptide

RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) is a tripeptide sequence found in many extracellular matrix proteins (fibronectin, vitronectin, collagen) that serves as the primary recognition motif for integrin receptors. RGD-containing peptides and scaffolds are extensively used in biomaterials research to promote cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation for tissue engineering, wound healing, and regenerative medicine applications.

Thymosin Beta-4 Fragment · Tβ4 fragment

TB-500 is a synthetic version of the active region of Thymosin Beta-4, a naturally occurring peptide found in virtually all human cells. Research shows it promotes actin polymerization and cell migration, which accelerates wound healing, muscle repair, and vascular growth. It is particularly studied for its ability to reduce inflammation and promote cardiac tissue repair.

C₂₁₂H₃₅₀N₅₆O₇₈S · 4963.44 Da

Tβ4 · LKKTETQ

Thymosin Beta-4 is the full-length 43-amino-acid peptide and one of the most abundant intracellular proteins in mammalian cells. It sequesters G-actin, regulating actin polymerization and cell motility, which underpins its role in wound healing, cardiac repair, and immune cell migration. Clinical trials have examined it for dry eye disease, epidermolysis bullosa, and cardiac repair after myocardial infarction.