Side-by-side · Research reference
CortagenvsPancragen
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
BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED23/39 cited
Cortagen
Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School
Injectable · Animal models
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Cortagen
Pancragen
Primary target
Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation
Pancreatic acinar and islet cell differentiation pathwaysKhavinson 2013
Pathway
Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007
Transcription factor activation → Pdx1/Pax6/Pax4/Ptf1a/Foxa2/NKx2.2 upregulation → Cell differentiationKhavinson 2013
Downstream effect
Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007Anisimov 2004
Enhanced pancreatic beta-cell function, normalized insulin/C-peptide dynamics, improved glucose clearanceGoncharova 2014
Feedback intact?
—
Yes — preserves physiological glucose-insulin response
Origin
Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004
Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from pancreatic tissue extracts (Khavinson bioregulator methodology)
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Cortagen
Pancragen
Animal model dose (rat)
Injection protocol (dose not specified in abstracts)
Multiple injections over study period.
—
Avian model dose (chicken)
40-day injection courseKuznik 2008
Compared to epithalon in hypophysectomized and aged birds.
—
Human peripheral nerve study
Therapeutic course (protocol details not provided)
Posttraumatic recovery context — reference cited but not detailed.
—
Evidence basis
Animal mechanistic studies
Non-human primate RCT, in vitro cell cultureGoncharova 2015Khavinson 2013
Primate dose (rhesus macaque)
—
50 μg / animal / dayGoncharova 2014
20–25-year-old females, 10-day IM protocol.
Effective concentration (in vitro)
—
0.05 ng/mLZakutskiĭ 2006
Organotypic tissue culture, both young and aged rat explants.
Diabetes model
—
STZ-induced diabetes (rat)
Evaluated via metabolic markers characterizing apoptosis.
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Cortagen
Pancragen
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.
No published human trials; clinical use limited to Russian gerontology protocols
Reported adverse events
—
None documented in primate studies
Absolute Contraindications
Cortagen
—Pancragen
—Relative Contraindications
Cortagen
—Pancragen
- ·Active pancreatic malignancy (proliferation marker upregulation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Cortagen
Pancragen
1. Preparation
Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.
Lyophilised tetrapeptide reconstituted in sterile saline or water per manufacturer protocol. Concentration not specified in literature.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
Intramuscular injection. Primate studies used daily IM dosing for 10 consecutive days.Goncharova 2015
3. Timing
Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.
No specific timing constraints documented. Administered once daily in primate protocols.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.
10-day treatment course. Restorative effects on pancreatic function persist for at least 3 weeks post-discontinuation.Goncharova 2014