Compound overview

Research peptides: compound overview

What the individual peptides are, how they work and what they are used for in research. Compounds we stock link through to the product.

Metabolism & Weight Regulation

Retatrutide

Triple agonist of GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors — the newest generation of metabolic peptides.

Retatrutide is the most complex molecule in metabolic research to date: it activates three receptor pathways at once (GLP-1, GIP and the glucagon receptor), where older compounds worked with one or two.

In a Phase 2 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants on the highest dose lost an average of 24.2 % of body weight over 48 weeks — and were still losing when the trial ended. Studied in the context of energy expenditure, lipolysis and satiety regulation.

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Tirzepatide

Dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist — the generation before Retatrutide.

Tirzepatide combines two incretin pathways: GLP-1 and GIP. In metabolic research this dual combination proved markedly more effective than a GLP-1 agonist alone.

In year-long trials average weight reduction was around 21 %, compared with roughly 15 % for single GLP-1 agonists. Studied for its effect on glycaemic control and body composition.

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Semaglutide

Single GLP-1 receptor agonist — the compound that opened up the whole category.

Semaglutide acts on a single pathway, the GLP-1 receptor. It slows gastric emptying, influences central food-intake signalling and stimulates insulin release in response to meals.

Historically it is the compound that brought metabolic peptide research into wide awareness. Newer dual and triple agonists outperform it on outcomes, but it remains the best-documented molecule in the category.

We do not currently stock this compound.

AOD-9604

A growth hormone fragment isolated purely for its lipolytic action.

AOD-9604 is a 16-amino-acid fragment from the tail of the growth hormone molecule. Researchers at Monash University isolated it to separate hGH's fat-metabolising activity from its effects on blood sugar and cell growth.

Preclinical studies in Hormone Research and the American Journal of Physiology showed stimulated lipolysis and inhibited fat storage in animal models, without the insulin resistance associated with full-length growth hormone.

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HGH Fragment 176-191

The C-terminal section of growth hormone with potentiated fat-breakdown activity.

Fragment 176-191 is the isolated tail section of the human growth hormone molecule. It was researched to maximise the lipolytic properties of hGH without the accompanying effects on blood glucose.

The literature reports up to twelve-fold stronger stimulation of fat breakdown compared with the full hGH molecule, along with inhibition of fatty acid re-accumulation in adipocytes.

We do not currently stock this compound.

MOTS-c

A mitochondrial peptide — regulator of cellular energetics, studied as an “exercise mimetic”.

MOTS-c is a peptide encoded directly by mitochondrial DNA (an MDP). It acts as a signalling molecule between the mitochondrion and the cell nucleus and participates in regulating energy metabolism.

It sits at the centre of research into metabolic flexibility and insulin sensitivity. It is described as an exercise mimetic because it activates some of the pathways otherwise triggered by physical exertion.

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Recovery & Tissue Repair

BPC-157

The most-studied recovery peptide — over 100 preclinical papers.

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a stable peptide derived from a human gastric juice protein. It is studied for its role in angiogenesis, nitric oxide signalling and tendon-to-bone healing.

A study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research showed improved Achilles tendon healing in animal models, even in the presence of corticosteroids, which normally impair healing. Protection of the digestive tract is also researched.

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TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4)

The systemic counterpart to BPC-157 — cell migration and angiogenesis.

TB-500 is the synthetic version of naturally occurring thymosin beta-4. It plays a role in cell migration, actin filament structuring and the formation of new blood vessels.

Where BPC-157 is studied more for localised repair, TB-500 acts more systemically — helping cells reach the site of injury. The two are therefore often researched together.

We do not currently stock this compound.

GHK-Cu

A copper tripeptide influencing the expression of thousands of genes; its level declines with age.

GHK is a natural tripeptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) released during the breakdown of type 1 collagen, which binds to copper ions. The resulting complex acts as a signalling molecule for tissue repair.

A 2015 review in BioMed Research International describes stimulation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan production and an influence on the expression of thousands of human genes involved in tissue repair. Past the age of sixty, natural blood GHK levels drop by roughly 60 %.

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Growth Hormone & Vitality

GHRP-6

A first-generation secretagogue — ghrelin receptor agonist.

GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6) stimulates endogenous growth hormone release via ghrelin receptors. It does not supply the hormone externally — it triggers the pituitary's own secretion.

A characteristic feature is pronounced appetite stimulation, which is why it is also studied in the context of metabolic disorders. Effects on recovery of muscle, tendon and ligament are researched as well.

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CJC-1295

A GHRH analogue — extends the natural pulsatile rhythm of growth hormone release.

CJC-1295 acts on the GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) receptor. In research it is combined with Ipamorelin, because the two work on complementary pathways.

The aim is not a flat rise in hormone level but preservation of the natural pulsatile release pattern — the one associated with deep sleep and overnight recovery.

We do not currently stock this compound.

Ipamorelin

A selective secretagogue — unlike GHRP-6, without pronounced appetite effects.

Ipamorelin acts on the ghrelin receptor but is markedly more selective than older secretagogues. Research therefore describes it as the option with fewer accompanying effects.

It is typically studied in combination with CJC-1295 — one acting on the GHRH receptor, the other on the ghrelin receptor, together supporting the body's own pulsatile release.

We do not currently stock this compound.

Tesamorelin

The only compound in this category approved by the US FDA.

Tesamorelin is a GHRH analogue and at the same time the best clinically documented compound in the whole peptide category — it carries US FDA approval.

In two randomised Phase 3 trials totalling over 800 patients it reduced visceral fat by 15–20 %, with results holding at 52 weeks while lean muscle was preserved.

We do not currently stock this compound.

Cognition & Nervous System

Semax

A peptide derived from an ACTH fragment, studied for its effect on BDNF levels.

Semax originated in Russian research as a modified fragment of the hormone ACTH. It has decades of studies behind it focused on cognitive function.

The main area of study is its ability to raise BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) — the protein the brain uses to build new neural connections, for learning and neuroplasticity.

We do not currently stock this compound.

Selank

An anxiolytic peptide compared with benzodiazepines in human studies.

Selank is a synthetic analogue of the natural peptide tuftsin. In head-to-head human research against the benzodiazepine medazepam it produced comparable anxiolytic effects.

The difference lies in the accompanying effects: studies found no sedation, cognitive dulling or dependency risk typical of benzodiazepines. Blunting of exaggerated cortisol responses to social stress is also studied.

We do not currently stock this compound.

Dihexa

An experimental compound with striking preclinical activity — human data still missing.

Dihexa is the newer, markedly more experimental name in this category. Early preclinical work suggested startling potency at promoting synapse formation compared with natural BDNF.

It is a genuinely interesting research compound, and also a good reminder that “powerful in a petri dish” does not automatically mean “validated”. Human safety data remains very limited.

We do not currently stock this compound.

Sleep & Longevity

SS-31 (Elamipretide)

A mitochondrial peptide targeting the inner mitochondrial membrane directly.

SS-31 binds selectively to cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It is studied for stabilising membrane structure and the efficiency of electron transfer in the respiratory chain.

Together with MOTS-c it is among the most closely watched compounds in research on mitochondrial dysfunction and fatigue of cellular origin.

We do not currently stock this compound.

DSIP

Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide — studied for supporting the deepest sleep stage.

DSIP is studied specifically for its effect on delta-wave sleep — the deepest stage, in which the body does most of its physical repair.

The difference from ordinary sleep compounds lies in the goal: not falling asleep faster or spending more hours in bed, but the quality and depth of the sleep cycle itself.

We do not currently stock this compound.

Epitalon

A pineal gland peptide studied in connection with melatonin and telomere biology.

Epitalon comes out of decades of Russian pineal gland research. It is studied for supporting the natural production of melatonin, which declines with age.

It is among the most-discussed compounds in longevity because of its studied relationship with telomeres. In fairness — human data in this area is still early.

We do not currently stock this compound.

Pigmentation & Libido

Melanotan II

An alpha-MSH analogue — stimulating melanogenesis and central melanocortin receptors.

Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It stimulates melanogenesis, the production of melanin in the skin.

Beyond pigmentation it also acts on central melanocortin receptors, which is why research covers it in the context of both UV protection and libido.

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PT-141 (Bremelanotid)

A melanocortin agonist acting via the central nervous system, not vascularly.

PT-141 is a selective agonist of the MC3R and MC4R receptors. The key difference from vasodilators: it does not act on blood vessels but directly via the central nervous system.

It is the primary research peptide for investigating sexual dysfunction in men and women — specifically the mechanisms of stimulation in desire disorders (HSDD) and erectile dysfunction.

We do not currently stock this compound.
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This information is strictly educational and summarises publicly available research. It is not medical advice. All compounds are intended exclusively for laboratory and research purposes, are not medicines or food supplements, and are not intended for human consumption.