Category · Mitochondrial peptides
Mitochondrial peptides: interesting mechanism.
Peptides that target mitochondrial biology — encoded by the mitochondrial genome itself (MOTS-c, humanin) or designed to localize at the inner mitochondrial membrane (SS-31 / elamipretide). Genuinely interesting science; the human evidence base is almost entirely SS-31.
SS-31 (elamipretide) is the most clinically-advanced — multiple phase-2 and phase-3 trials for primary mitochondrial myopathies, Barth syndrome, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide with rodent data on metabolism and insulin sensitivity; almost no human work. Humanin is the original mitochondrial-derived peptide — fascinating biology, animal data only.
The mismatch between vendor marketing and evidence is large here. "Mitochondrial support" sounds powerful; the published evidence outside SS-31 is mostly animal.
- 6/10 · Preliminary SS-31 Barth syndrome (approved), primary mitochondrial myopathy, dry AMD/geographic atrophy, heart failure, acute MI.
- 3/10 · Animal only Humanin Cytoprotection, neuroprotection and amyloid toxicity, cognitive aging, and lifespan/healthspan — almost entirely in cells and animals.
- 3/10 · Animal only MOTS-c Glucose and metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, obesity, exercise mimicry, and aging (mostly preclinical).
Reading this class honestly
For why animal-only evidence gets a 3 even when the mechanism is elegant, see how we grade. For the broader context on "research use only" peptides see the gray market.