Side-by-side · Research reference
CortagenvsLL-37
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED11/35 cited
BHuman-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED15/35 cited
Cortagen
Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School
Injectable · Animal models
LL-37
Cathelicidin · Human AMP
Broad-spectrumAntimicrobial activity
Endogenous · Secreted at inflammation sites
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Cortagen
LL-37
Primary target
Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation
Pathway
Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007
hCAP-18 precursor → Proteinase-3 cleavage → LL-37 release → Membrane insertion/disruption
Downstream effect
Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007Anisimov 2004
Membrane permeabilization, cytokine induction, autophagy, phagosome-lysosome fusion, chemotaxisAhmad 2026Zhang 2026
Feedback intact?
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Origin
Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004
Endogenous human cathelicidin (37-AA fragment, residues 134–170 of hCAP-18)
Antibody development
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02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Cortagen
LL-37
Animal model dose (rat)
Injection protocol (dose not specified in abstracts)
Multiple injections over study period.
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Avian model dose (chicken)
40-day injection courseKuznik 2008
Compared to epithalon in hypophysectomized and aged birds.
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Human peripheral nerve study
Therapeutic course (protocol details not provided)
Posttraumatic recovery context — reference cited but not detailed.
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Evidence basis
Animal mechanistic studies
In vitro, animal models, human observational
Route
Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)
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Endogenous expression
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Constitutive in neutrophils, epithelial tissues
Upregulated during infection and inflammation.Pinheiro 2026
Exogenous (experimental)
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Dose varies by study; antimalarial ~10–50 μM in vitro
No FDA-approved exogenous formulation.
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Cortagen
LL-37
Antioxidant suppression
Suppression of antioxidant activity noted alongside LPO reductionKozina 2007
Mechanism unclear — possible homeostatic adaptation.
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Immune/hemostasis effects
No effect on immunity or hemostasis parameters in avian hypophysectomy model (unlike epithalon)Kuznik 2008
Epithalon reversed deficits; cortagen did not.
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Human safety data
No adverse events reported in peripheral nerve recovery context
Limited detail in available abstracts.
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Cytotoxicity (high dose)
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Membrane disruption in host cells at supraphysiological concentrations
Pro-inflammatory signaling
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Can exacerbate inflammation in certain contexts (context-dependent)Pinheiro 2026
Theoretical cancer risk
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Immunomodulatory roles in tumor microenvironment under investigation
Absolute Contraindications
Cortagen
—LL-37
—Relative Contraindications
Cortagen
—LL-37
- ·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical immune dysregulation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Cortagen
LL-37
1. Preparation
Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.
LL-37 is constitutively expressed in neutrophils and epithelial cells, cleaved from hCAP-18 by proteinase-3 at sites of infection or inflammation.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
Synthetic LL-37 and derivatives (e.g., SAMP-12aa) tested in vitro and animal models. Administered via topical, intraperitoneal, or intravenous routes in research settings.
3. Timing
Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.
LL-37 is resistant to pepsin degradation at gastric pH. Synthetic short peptides designed to retain this stability while reducing toxicity.Lu 2026
4. Storage
Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.
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