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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides81 plates · MIT
Side-by-side · Research reference

HumaninvsPinealon

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

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED14/52 cited
BHuman-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED12/36 cited
Humanin
Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide · Cytoprotective
24-AAPeptide lengthZhu 2022
mtDNAEncoded originZhu 2022Shahzaib 2026
Bax/BimPrimary targetZhu 2022Morris 2021
SQ · Experimental
Pinealon
Pineal-derived · Neuroprotective
5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2014
HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2014
HoursHalf-life (est)
SQ or IM · Daily for 10 days · 1-2×/year

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter
Humanin
Pinealon
Primary target
Intracellular: Bax, Bim, tBid (pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family). Extracellular: FPRL1/2 G-protein-coupled receptorsZhu 2022Lue 2021
Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014
Pathway
Humanin binds Bax/Bim → inhibits mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) → blocks cytochrome c release → prevents caspase activation → cell survival
Modulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) + neurotrophic factor expressionKhavinson 2014
Downstream effect
Suppression of apoptosis, mitochondrial stabilization, reduced oxidative stress, preservation of germ cells and neurons under stressZhu 2022Lue 2021Velentza 2024
Reduced oxidative stress in neurons; improved cognitive function in age-related declineKhavinson 2014
Feedback intact?
Not applicable — peptide acts as anti-apoptotic signal, not hormonal axis
Origin
Encoded by short open reading frame in mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (MTRNR2). 24-28 amino acids. 13 homologous variants (MTRNR2L1-L13) identified.Zhu 2022Shahzaib 2026
Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014
Antibody development
Not reported in animal models

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter
Humanin
Pinealon
Standard experimental dose (HNG)
4 mg/kg IP (rat)
Most common dose in rodent models.
Ex vivo bone culture
1 µg/mL
Protective against venetoclax-induced bone growth retardation.
Frequency
Daily (IP)
Once daily during cycle
Duration
8–12 weeks in animal studies
10-day cycles, 1–2× per year
Evidence basis
Animal models (rat, mouse)Huang 2025El 2022Velentza 2024
Russian clinical trials + in vitroKhavinson 2014
Human data
None — no clinical trials reported
Analog (HNG)
Gly[14]-humanin — more potent variant
Substitution at position 14 enhances cytoprotective activity.
Standard dose
5–10 mg / day for 10 daysKhavinson 2014
Lower / starter dose
2.5 mg / day
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
No specific time
Half-life
Hours

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter
Humanin
Pinealon
Direct fat loss evidence
None
Mechanism overlap
Mitochondrial health may indirectly influence metabolic efficiency, but no quantified effect

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter
Humanin
Pinealon
Animal model safety
Well-tolerated in rat and mouse studies at 4 mg/kg for 8–12 weeks
Human safety data
None — no clinical trials
Theoretical fibrillation risk
Induces amyloid-like fibrillation of Bax/BID. Long-term sequelae unknown.
Injection site reaction
Not reported in animal studies (IP route)
Mild irritation
Reproductive safety
Protective in POI model (cyclophosphamide-induced), no adverse effects on fertility notedHuang 2025
Long-term safety
Limited Western data
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Absolute Contraindications
Humanin
  • ·Unknown — no human data
Pinealon
  • ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
Humanin
  • ·Active malignancy (theoretical risk of anti-apoptotic effect on tumour cells)
Pinealon
  • ·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter
Humanin
Pinealon
1. Route (experimental)
Intraperitoneal (IP) in animal models. Subcutaneous route untested. No human protocols exist.
Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial.
2. Reconstitution
Synthetic peptide reconstituted in sterile saline or PBS. No commercial formulation available.
SQ — abdomen preferred.
3. Timing
Daily administration in animal studies. Optimal timing not characterized.
Daily during cycle, any time.
4. Storage
Lyophilised powder: -20 °C. Reconstituted: 4 °C, use within 7 days. Avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Human use
No FDA approval, no IND, no clinical trials. Experimental research tool only.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Humanin
+ MOTS-c
Multi-pathway
View MOTS-c

Both are mitochondrial-derived peptides. MOTS-c enhances metabolic efficiency and insulin sensitivity via AMPK activation, while humanin prevents mitochondrial apoptosis. Combined, they address mitochondrial function (MOTS-c) and survival signaling (humanin), supporting cellular resilience under metabolic and oxidative stress.

Humanin
4 mg/kg IP · daily (animal model)
MOTS-c
5 mg/kg IP · daily (animal model)
Frequency
Once daily
Primary benefit
Mitochondrial health, metabolic efficiency, anti-apoptotic signaling
Pinealon
+ Epitalon
Moderate
View Epitalon

Pinealon (neuroprotection) + Epitalon (telomerase activation) form the canonical Khavinson "longevity stack" — both pineal-derived bioregulators with complementary axes. Pinealon supports neuronal antioxidant defense; Epitalon supports telomere maintenance. Anecdotally cycled together 1–2× per year.

Pinealon
5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days
Epitalon
5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days (overlap or alternate)
Primary benefit
Neuroprotection + telomere preservation