Side-by-side · Research reference

ARA 290vsCortagen

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

APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED17/59 cited

BAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED11/35 cited

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

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ARA 290

Cortagen

Primary target

Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

Pathway

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

Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007

Downstream effect

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

Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007 Anisimov 2004

Feedback intact?

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

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Origin

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

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004

Antibody development

Not reported in clinical trials

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02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ARA 290

Cortagen

Standard dose (Phase 2)

4 mg / dayBrines 2015 Culver 2017

Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.

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Frequency

Once daily

Self-administered subcutaneously.

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Duration

28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017

Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.

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Evidence basis

Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.

Animal mechanistic studies

Route

SubcutaneousBrines 2015

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

Timing

Any time of day

No circadian dependence reported.

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Animal model dose (rat)

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Injection protocol (dose not specified in abstracts)

Multiple injections over study period.

Avian model dose (chicken)

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40-day injection courseKuznik 2008

Compared to epithalon in hypophysectomized and aged birds.

Human peripheral nerve study

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Therapeutic course (protocol details not provided)

Posttraumatic recovery context — reference cited but not detailed.

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

ARA 290

Cortagen

Primary effect

Improved metabolic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose)Brines 2015

Secondary to neuropathy treatment; direct lipolytic effects not established.

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HbA1c

Significant reduction vs placebo

Observed in type 2 diabetes + neuropathy trial.

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Fasting glucose

Improved in ARA 290 group

—

Body composition

Not directly quantified

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

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04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

ARA 290

Cortagen

Injection site reaction

Mild, transient

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Hematopoiesis

None — non-erythropoietic

Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.

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Cardiovascular

No thrombotic events or hypertension reported

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Immunogenicity

No antibody formation reported

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Tolerability

Well-tolerated in Phase 2 trialsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

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Antioxidant suppression

—

Suppression of antioxidant activity noted alongside LPO reductionKozina 2007

Mechanism unclear — possible homeostatic adaptation.

Immune/hemostasis effects

—

No effect on immunity or hemostasis parameters in avian hypophysectomy model (unlike epithalon)Kuznik 2008

Epithalon reversed deficits; cortagen did not.

Human safety data

—

No adverse events reported in peripheral nerve recovery context

Limited detail in available abstracts.

Absolute Contraindications

ARA 290

·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290

Cortagen

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Relative Contraindications

ARA 290

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

Cortagen

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05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ARA 290

Cortagen

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.

Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.

2. Injection site

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

Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.

4. Dosing

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

Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.

5. Storage

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

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06Stack Synergy

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

Cortagen

— no documented stacks