Side-by-side · Research reference

CortagenvsThymalin

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-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED12/40 cited

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

Thymalin

Immune restorer · Russian peptide bioregulator

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2002

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2002

HoursHalf-life (est)

IM · Daily for 5–10 days · 1-2×/year

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Cortagen

Thymalin

Primary target

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

T-cell precursors + thymus-axis maturation pathwayKhavinson 2002

Pathway

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

Modulation of T-cell differentiation + thymic hormone restoration in age-involuted thymusKhavinson 2002

Downstream effect

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

Restored T-cell populations, improved immune surveillance, reduced infection rates in elderlyKhavinson 2002

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

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

Polypeptide fraction isolated from calf thymus extractKhavinson 2002

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cortagen

Thymalin

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

Russian clinical + in vitroKhavinson 2002

Route

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

—

Standard dose

—

5–10 mg / day IM × 5–10 daysKhavinson 2002

Frequency

—

Once daily during cycle

Lower / starter dose

—

2.5 mg / day

Duration

—

5–10 day cycles, 1–2× per year

Reconstitution

—

Saline or bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Morning preferred

Half-life

—

Hours (estimated)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cortagen

Thymalin

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.

—

Injection site reaction

—

Mild erythema at IM site

Allergic reaction

—

Rare hypersensitivity to bovine-derived polypeptide

Autoimmune flare

—

Theoretical risk in active autoimmune disease

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western data

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

Cortagen

—

Thymalin

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Bovine protein hypersensitivity

Relative Contraindications

Cortagen

—

Thymalin

·Active autoimmune disease
·Concurrent immunosuppressant therapy

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cortagen

Thymalin

1. Preparation

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

Add 1–2 mL saline or bacteriostatic water per 10 mg vial.

2. Injection site

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

Intramuscular — deltoid or gluteal. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Morning preferred during cycle.

4. Storage

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

Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: use immediately.

5. Needle

—

23–25G, 25–38 mm IM needle.

06Stack Synergy

Cortagen

— no documented stacks

Thymalin

+ Thymosin α-1

Moderate

View Thymosin α-1 →

Thymalin is a polypeptide complex; Thymosin α-1 is a single purified peptide. Both target the thymus-axis but at different levels — Thymalin restores broad thymic signaling; Tα-1 provides a specific molecular activator. Anecdotally combined for elderly immune support.

Thymalin: 5–10 mg IM · daily × 7 days
Thymosin α-1: 1.6 mg SQ · 2× weekly during the cycle
Primary benefit: Broad thymic restoration + targeted immune activation

Khavinson 2002 Camerini 2001