Side-by-side · Research reference

ARA 290vsDihexa

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-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED7/28 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

Dihexa

Angiotensin IV Analogue · Pre-Clinical

Pre-clinicalDevelopment stage

Rodent onlyEvidence basisBenoist 2014

HGF/c-MetTarget systemWright 2015

Not established — animal studies only

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ARA 290

Dihexa

Primary target

Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)

c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)

Pathway

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

HGF/c-Met receptor activation → downstream signaling cascade → synaptogenesis and dendritic arborization

Downstream effect

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

Induction of dendritic arborization, synapse formation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection in rodent models

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

Small-molecule angiotensin IV analogue designed to activate HGF/c-Met systemWright 2015

Antibody development

Not reported in clinical trials

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02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ARA 290

Dihexa

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.

Pre-clinical / Rodent models

Route

SubcutaneousBrines 2015

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Timing

Any time of day

No circadian dependence reported.

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Human dosing

—

Not established — no human trials

Animal studies

—

Mouse/rat models only — dosing not translatable to humans

Clinical status

—

No Phase 1, 2, or 3 trials published

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

ARA 290

Dihexa

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

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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

Dihexa

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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Human safety data

—

None available — no human clinical trials

Theoretical c-Met risks

—

c-Met receptor activation has been implicated in tumorigenesis; unknown cancer risk profile

Pre-clinical tolerability

—

Not systematically reported in available studies

Absolute Contraindications

ARA 290

·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290

Dihexa

·Not approved for human use — research compound only

Relative Contraindications

ARA 290

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

Dihexa

·Theoretical contraindication: active or history of malignancy (c-Met pathway involvement in cancer)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ARA 290

Dihexa

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.

No established protocol. Dihexa has not been tested in human subjects. Animal studies used various routes (typically subcutaneous or intraperitoneal in rodents) not translatable to clinical use.

2. Injection site

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

Pre-clinical research compound. Not approved by FDA or any regulatory authority for human use.

3. Timing

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

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4. Dosing

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

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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

Dihexa

— no documented stacks