Side-by-side · Research reference

PTD-DBMvsSS-31

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

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED10/40 cited

BPhase 3HUMAN-REVIEWED9/43 cited

PTD-DBM

Wnt Pathway Activator · Fusion Peptide

Topical / SQAdministrationLee 2023 Ryu 2023

Animal-onlyEvidence level

Wnt/β-cateninPrimary pathway

Topical / SQ · Study-dependent

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

PTD-DBM

SS-31

Primary target

CXXC5–Dishevelled protein-protein interaction

Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014

Pathway

Inhibit CXXC5 binding to Dishevelled → Release Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitionLee 2015 Ryu 2023

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

Downstream effect

Activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes hair follicle regeneration, dermal stem cell activation, reduced myofibroblast differentiation

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

Feedback intact?

Not applicable — pathway derepression rather than receptor agonism

—

Origin

Engineered fusion: cell-penetrating PTD sequence + Dvl-binding motif targeting CXXC5

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

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

PTD-DBM

SS-31

Wound healing protocol

Hydrogel patch delivery (concentration not disclosed)

Pyrogallol-HA patch, murine model.

—

Hair regeneration protocol

Topical application (exact dose not disclosed)

Wound-induced hair neogenesis model, mice.

—

Evidence basis

Animal models only (mice)

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

Co-administration

Valproic acid (GSK-3β inhibitor) for wound healing synergyLee 2023

Combined treatment maximized scar reduction.

—

Human translation

No published human studies

—

Standard dose

—

40 mg / day SQ (clinical trials)Szeto 2014

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

Frequency

—

Once daily

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

PTD-DBM

SS-31

Reported adverse events

None reported in animal studies

—

Wnt pathway activation risks

Theoretical risk of aberrant proliferation; Wnt dysregulation linked to tumorigenesis

—

Long-term safety

Unknown — no chronic dosing or human data

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

Delivery vehicle effects

HA-PG hydrogel well-tolerated in mice; human translation pending

—

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

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid — insufficient data

Absolute Contraindications

PTD-DBM

·Active malignancy (Wnt pathway involvement in tumorigenesis)
·Pregnancy / lactation (no safety data)

SS-31

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Relative Contraindications

PTD-DBM

·History of Wnt-driven tumors
·Skin lesions with uncertain malignant potential

SS-31

·None established

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

PTD-DBM

SS-31

1. Wound Healing Protocol (Animal Model)

Pyrogallol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-PG) hydrogel patch loaded with PTD-DBM peptide, applied directly to wound bed. Adhesive hydrogel provides sustained release over multiple days.Lee 2023

Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.

2. Hair Regeneration Protocol (Animal Model)

Topical application to scalp or wound site. Precise formulation not disclosed; studies used Cxxc5 knockout or direct peptide application in wound-induced hair neogenesis models.Ryu 2023

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Combination Therapy

PTD-DBM + valproic acid (GSK-3β inhibitor) in HA-PG patch showed synergistic effect on scar reduction and regenerative wound healing. VPA enhances Wnt pathway activation downstream.Lee 2023

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

4. Storage & Handling

Not disclosed in available literature. Peptide stability and storage conditions not published.

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

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

PTD-DBM

— 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