Side-by-side · Research reference

5-Amino-1MQvsARA 290

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongAUTO-DRAFTED8/38 cited

BPhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED17/59 cited

5-Amino-1MQ

NNMT inhibitor · Methylation / SAM modulation

100–200 mgDaily dose (oral)Neelakantan 2018

AnimalEvidence levelNeelakantan 2018

HoursHalf-life (est)

Oral · Once daily fasted

ARA 290

EPO-Derived Peptide · Innate Repair Receptor Agonist

4 mgDaily doseBrines 2015 Culver 2017

28 daysPhase 2 durationCulver 2017

Non-erythropoieticSafety profileBrines 2015 Liu 2014

SQ · DailyBrines 2015 Culver 2017

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

ARA 290

Primary target

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)Neelakantan 2018

Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)

Pathway

NNMT inhibition → preserved cellular SAM + NAD⁺ → restored methylation balance + ↑ thermogenic gene expressionNeelakantan 2018

EPO/CD131 → JAK2 activation → PI3K/AKT, MAPK signaling → anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic cascades

Downstream effect

Reversal of HFD-induced obesity in murine models; improved metabolic profileNeelakantan 2018

Tissue protection, nerve fiber regeneration, suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation, altered T-cell differentiation (↑Treg, ↑Th2, ↓Th1)Liu 2014 Culver 2017

Feedback intact?

—

N/A — does not interact with hematopoietic EPO receptorLiu 2014

Origin

Selective small-molecule inhibitor designed in academic medicinal chemistry programsNeelakantan 2018

11-amino-acid sequence from EPO helix B, engineered to eliminate hematopoietic activity while retaining tissue-protective properties

Antibody development

—

Not reported in clinical trials

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

ARA 290

Standard dose

100–200 mg / day oralNeelakantan 2018

Anecdotal community range; murine doses scaled.

—

Frequency

Once daily, fasted

Once daily

Self-administered subcutaneously.

Lower / starter dose

50 mg / day

—

Evidence basis

Animal-strong; no human RCT dataNeelakantan 2018

Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017

Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.

Form

Oral capsule

—

Timing

Morning fasted preferred

Any time of day

No circadian dependence reported.

Half-life

Hours (estimated; no human PK published)

—

Standard dose (Phase 2)

—

4 mg / dayBrines 2015 Culver 2017

Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.

Route

—

SubcutaneousBrines 2015

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

ARA 290

Primary effect

—

Improved metabolic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose)Brines 2015

Secondary to neuropathy treatment; direct lipolytic effects not established.

HbA1c

—

Significant reduction vs placebo

Observed in type 2 diabetes + neuropathy trial.

Fasting glucose

—

Improved in ARA 290 group

Body composition

—

Not directly quantified

Fat loss not a primary endpoint; metabolic improvements may reflect insulin sensitivity.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

ARA 290

GI symptoms

Mild nausea (anecdotal)

—

Methylation disruption

Theoretical risk if NNMT is over-inhibited (B vitamin metabolism)

—

Long-term safety

Unknown — no human trials

—

Cancer risk

Unclear — NNMT also studied in oncology contexts

—

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

—

Drug interactions

Theoretical with niacin / B-vitamin supplements

—

Injection site reaction

—

Mild, transient

Hematopoiesis

—

None — non-erythropoietic

Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.

Cardiovascular

—

No thrombotic events or hypertension reported

Immunogenicity

—

No antibody formation reported

Tolerability

—

Well-tolerated in Phase 2 trialsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

Absolute Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active malignancy

ARA 290

·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290

Relative Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Methylation-sensitive conditions (MTHFR mutation)
·Concurrent niacin / NAD+ precursor supplementation (theoretical interference)

ARA 290

·Active malignancy (theoretical EPO-axis concern; not observed in trials)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

ARA 290

1. Form

Oral capsule. No injection.

Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.

2. Administration

Take with water, fasted preferred.

Subcutaneous — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy.

3. Timing

Morning fasted.

Once daily, any time of day. Self-administered in Phase 2 trials.Brines 2015

4. Storage

Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.

4 mg daily for 28 days (Phase 2 protocol). Duration for chronic use not established.Culver 2017

5. Caveat

Monitor B-vitamin status with chronic use.

Lyophilised: store at controlled room temperature. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within specified timeframe.

06Stack Synergy

5-Amino-1MQ

— no documented stacks

ARA 290

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

ARA 290 targets the innate repair receptor (EPO/CD131) for nerve regeneration and anti-inflammatory signaling, while BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair through distinct mechanisms (likely involving VEGF, growth hormone receptor pathways). Combined, they may address both neuroinflammation and structural tissue repair in neuropathy or injury models. No direct clinical data; mechanistic overlap in tissue protection.

ARA 290: 4 mg SQ · daily
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
Frequency: Once daily, same or separate injections
Primary benefit: Nerve regeneration, pain reduction, tissue healing