Side-by-side · Research reference

PancragenvsSS-31

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

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED23/39 cited

BPhase 3HUMAN-REVIEWED9/43 cited

Pancragen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson School

50 μgPrimate doseGoncharova 2014

10 daysTreatment cycleGoncharova 2015

3+ weeksEffect persistenceGoncharova 2014

IM · 10-day cycleGoncharova 2014

SS-31

Cardiolipin-binding · Mitochondrial protective

40 mgDaily doseSzeto 2014

Phase 3Evidence levelSzilagyi 2009 Szeto 2014

~3 hrHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Once daily

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Pancragen

SS-31

Primary target

Pancreatic acinar and islet cell differentiation pathwaysKhavinson 2013

Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014

Pathway

Transcription factor activation → Pdx1/Pax6/Pax4/Ptf1a/Foxa2/NKx2.2 upregulation → Cell differentiationKhavinson 2013

Cardiolipin binding → cristae stabilisation → ETC integrity → reduced ROS + preserved ATP synthesisSzeto 2014 Szilagyi 2009

Downstream effect

Enhanced pancreatic beta-cell function, normalized insulin/C-peptide dynamics, improved glucose clearanceGoncharova 2014

Mitochondrial bioenergetic preservation; cardio-, neuro-, and reno-protective effects in animal + clinical studiesSzeto 2014

Feedback intact?

Yes — preserves physiological glucose-insulin response

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Origin

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from pancreatic tissue extracts (Khavinson bioregulator methodology)

Synthetic tetrapeptide D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂; cell-permeable, mitochondrial-selectiveSzeto 2014

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Pancragen

SS-31

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.

—

Route

IntramuscularGoncharova 2015

—

Frequency

Once daily for 10 daysGoncharova 2014

Once daily

Treatment cycle

10-day course, effects persist 3+ weeks post-withdrawalGoncharova 2014

—

Evidence basis

Non-human primate RCT, in vitro cell cultureGoncharova 2015 Khavinson 2013

Multiple Phase 3 trials (Barth, AMD, ischemia-reperfusion)Szeto 2014 Szilagyi 2009

Diabetes model

STZ-induced diabetes (rat)

Evaluated via metabolic markers characterizing apoptosis.

—

Standard dose

—

40 mg / day SQ (clinical trials)Szeto 2014

Anecdotal community range 5-10 mg/day. Phase 3 trials use 40 mg.

Lower / starter dose

—

5 mg / day (anecdotal)

Duration

—

Indefinite for mitochondrial disease; cycled for healthspan use

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Morning fasted preferred; pre-workout for exercise-induced mitochondrial stress

Half-life

—

~3 h plasma; tissue uptake longer

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Pancragen

SS-31

Reported adverse events

None documented in primate studies

—

Tolerability

Well-tolerated in aged rhesus monkeys (n=9)Goncharova 2015

—

Human safety data

No published human trials; clinical use limited to Russian gerontology protocols

—

Injection site reaction

—

Erythema, mild pruritus

GI symptoms

—

Nausea (uncommon)

Headache

—

Reported in some Phase 3 trials

Cardiovascular

—

Cardio-protective in studies; no signal of harm

Long-term safety

—

Phase 3 data over 24+ months; no major safety signalsSzeto 2014

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid — insufficient data

Absolute Contraindications

Pancragen

—

SS-31

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Relative Contraindications

Pancragen

·Active pancreatic malignancy (proliferation marker upregulation)

SS-31

·None established

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Pancragen

SS-31

1. Reconstitution

Lyophilised tetrapeptide reconstituted in sterile saline or water per manufacturer protocol. Concentration not specified in literature.

Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.

2. Route

Intramuscular injection. Primate studies used daily IM dosing for 10 consecutive days.Goncharova 2015

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

No specific timing constraints documented. Administered once daily in primate protocols.

Morning fasted; pre-workout for exercise-augmented mitochondrial stress.

4. Cycle structure

10-day treatment course. Restorative effects on pancreatic function persist for at least 3 weeks post-discontinuation.Goncharova 2014

Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Pancragen

— no documented stacks

SS-31

+ MOTS-c

Moderate

View MOTS-c →

SS-31 and MOTS-c address mitochondrial decline through complementary axes. SS-31 protects existing mitochondrial structure (cardiolipin binding, cristae stabilisation). MOTS-c upregulates AMPK/PGC-1α, triggering biogenesis of new mitochondria. Together they pair preservation with renewal — anecdotally favoured in healthspan and post-cardio-event recovery protocols.

SS-31: 5–10 mg SQ · daily morning
MOTS-c: 5 mg SQ · 2× per week pre-workout
Primary benefit: Mitochondrial preservation + biogenesis