Do peptides help with wound healing?
4 peptides are graded for wound healing on this page. The strongest grade is human RCT evidence, for LL-37. Each one is weighed against the standard of care below, and the evidence table gives the grade and a note for every peptide.
What is the standard of care for wound healing?
Debridement, moisture balance, infection control, offloading or compression as indicated, glycemic control, and nutrition; advanced dressings and skin substitutes for chronic wounds.
Any peptide below should be judged against this baseline, not against doing nothing. Talk to a licensed provider before replacing or adding to an established treatment.
Which peptides have been studied for wound healing?
Ordered by strength of evidence for this use. Grades follow the methodology; each peptide page lists the individual studies.
| Peptide | Evidence for this use | Note |
|---|---|---|
| LL-37 | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | Small randomized trial of topical LL-37 in venous leg ulcers; not approved. [3] |
| GHK-Cu | Evidence: Human observational evidence | Small human studies of copper peptide dressings and extensive cell and animal data. [1] |
| BPC-157 | Evidence: Animal-only evidence | Faster skin and gut wound closure in rodents. [2] |
| TB-500 (thymosin beta-4) | Evidence: Animal-only evidence | Thymosin beta-4 promoted wound closure in animal models; human trials in other indications were inconclusive. [4] |
Head-to-head comparisons
Cost and access
Price ranges, lawful channels, and insurance notes for peptides graded here. State rules are in the legal guides by state.
Frequently asked questions
Which peptide has the strongest evidence for wound healing?
LL-37 has the strongest evidence among the peptides graded here, at human RCT evidence. Small randomized trial of topical LL-37 in venous leg ulcers; not approved. [3]
Is any peptide FDA approved for wound healing?
No. None of the peptides graded for wound healing is an FDA approved drug, so any use is outside an approved label and depends on the compounding and research status shown on each peptide page. [5]
Has any peptide been tested in a randomized trial for wound healing?
Yes, for LL-37. Check each note for the population and endpoints: a randomized trial in a related group or on a surrogate marker is weaker than one on the outcome you care about. [3]
From the blog
- TB-500 vs thymosin beta-4: is it the same peptide?
TB-500 is not the same molecule as thymosin beta-4. What each one is, which has human data, what is known about capsules and sprays, and what the evidence says about cancer.
- Topical vs injectable GHK-Cu: what the evidence shows
Topical GHK-Cu has small skin studies and is a lawful cosmetic. Injectable GHK-Cu has no human trial and no lawful compounding path. Evidence, absorption, safety, and legality compared.
Sources
- [1]GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration (Biomed Res Int 2015)PubMed 26236730, 2015
- [2]Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract (Curr Pharm Des 2011)PubMed 21548867, 2011
- [3]Treatment with LL-37 is safe and effective in enhancing healing of hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trialPubMed 25041740, 2014
- [4]Thymosin beta4 accelerates wound healingPubMed 10469335, 1999
- [5]Drugs@FDA: FDA-approved drugs databaseFDA