Humanin
A 24-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, studied preclinically for cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic and metabolic effects. Essentially all human relevance is associational (circulating levels vs ageing and disease); there is no approved therapeutic and no established dosing.
01 Overview
Humanin was discovered from surviving neurons in Alzheimer's-affected brain tissue and is one of several mitochondrial-derived peptides. In laboratory and animal models it protects cells from apoptosis, improves insulin sensitivity and shows neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects, acting partly through a specific receptor complex and via IGF-binding-protein interactions.
Human work is largely observational — for example, circulating humanin declining with age and varying in metabolic and neurodegenerative disease. There are no controlled therapeutic trials establishing efficacy or safety, so any injectable 'longevity' use is entirely experimental and uncharacterised in humans.
02 Mechanism
Cytoprotective signalling via a trimeric receptor (including CNTFR/WSX-1/gp130), STAT3 activation and IGFBP-3 binding, suppressing apoptosis and modulating metabolism — characterised mainly in vitro and in animals.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| No established human protocol | 0 mg | SubQ | No validated human dose exists; grey-market use is purely experimental. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cytoprotection / anti-apoptosisReduces cell death and shows neuro- and cardioprotection in laboratory models. | Cellular/animal models only | Preclinical | |
| Improved insulin sensitivityEnhances insulin action in animal studies; unproven in humans. | Rodent models | Preclinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown human safetyNo controlled human safety data; effects of exogenous dosing are unstudied. | Moderate | Unknown | Unconfirmed | |
| Product quality / contamination riskGrey-market peptide powders may be impure, misidentified or contaminated. | Moderate | Unknown | Anecdotal |