Humanin peptide

Summary

Humanin is a 24 amino acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA (the separate genetic code inside the cell's energy-producing mitochondria) that was discovered in 2001 as a factor protecting neurons from Alzheimer's disease related toxicity. In rodents it and its potent analogs (modified versions) improve insulin sensitivity, protect the heart and brain from injury, and in mice a humanin analog extended healthspan (years lived in good health); in people, circulating levels fall with age and correlate with coronary endothelial function (how well the lining of the heart arteries works), but no human treatment trial has been published. It has never been reviewed by FDA, is prohibited by WADA under section S0 (the anti-doping ban on unapproved substances), and is not available through licensed channels.

What is Humanin?

Humanin is a mitochondrial derived peptide (24 amino acids) encoded in the 16S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA. It is also known as HN, HNG (S14G-humanin analog), MT-RNR2 peptide, Mitochondrial derived peptide humanin, Humanin peptide.

How does it work?

Humanin is translated from a short open reading frame in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (MT-RNR2). Inside cells it binds the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and IGFBP-3 to block apoptosis. Outside cells it signals through a receptor complex of CNTFR, WSX-1, and gp130 that activates STAT3, and through the formyl peptide receptor-like 1. In rodents, central and peripheral humanin increases hypothalamic STAT3 signaling and improves hepatic insulin sensitivity. Circulating levels decline with age in humans and rodents. Mechanisms are established in cells and animals only.

What does the evidence say about Humanin?

Cell studies show humanin protects neurons from amyloid beta and familial Alzheimer's mutations. Rodent studies show that humanin and its analog HNG improve insulin action, reduce infarct size in heart and brain injury models, and that HNG treatment of middle aged mice improved metabolic healthspan and memory. Human evidence is observational: circulating humanin declines with age, and in 40 patients undergoing coronary testing higher levels were associated with preserved endothelial function. No human intervention trial of humanin or an analog has been published. The human study is an association study of endogenous humanin levels, not an intervention with the peptide; it is listed but does not raise the grade.

Human evidence

No indexed human treatment trial identified. Widmer et al. 2013 measured plasma humanin in 40 patients with chest pain and non-obstructive coronary disease and found higher levels in those with normal coronary endothelial function. Yen et al. 2020 reported that circulating humanin declines with age in humans and that levels were higher in the offspring of centenarians, an association study rather than a treatment effect.

Animal evidence

Hashimoto et al. 2001 identified humanin as a factor that rescues cultured neurons from death caused by familial Alzheimer's disease genes and amyloid beta. Muzumdar et al. 2009 showed that central or peripheral humanin and its analog HNG improved hepatic insulin sensitivity in rats through hypothalamic STAT3. Yen et al. 2020 showed that HNG given twice weekly to middle aged mice improved metabolic healthspan and memory without extending mean life span, and that humanin overexpression in worms extended life span.

Key studies

Conditions studied

Is Humanin legal in the United States?

FDA and compounding status

Humanin is not an FDA approved drug and PeptideAgent has not identified it on the FDA 503A bulks nomination lists or in any Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee review. Without a listing, a 503A pharmacy cannot lawfully compound it as a bulk substance. It is not eligible for 503B outsourcing. Products sold under this name are not lawful for human use.

WADA status

WADA prohibited. Athletes subject to anti-doping testing should treat this as prohibited at all times unless the current prohibited list says otherwise.

Regulatory timeline

No regulatory events recorded.

Full tracker for Humanin or the category-wide tracker.

What published studies of Humanin used

Ranges below are reported from published studies and labeling only. PeptideAgent does not recommend doses or protocols.

Not established in human literature. Rodent studies used humanin or HNG in the range of 0.1 to 4 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection, and 2 to 4 mg/kg HNG twice weekly in the mouse healthspan study. No human dose finding or pharmacokinetic study has been published.

Routes reported

What are the side effects and interactions of Humanin?

Side effects

Interactions

Contraindications

How do people access Humanin legally?

Typical cost: Not available through licensed channels. Products sold as research chemicals are not lawful for human use and are not verified for identity or purity.

• Rules by state
• Verified provider directory

Compare Humanin

• MOTS-c vs humanin

What's actually offered, and what that means for you

Licensed compounding pharmacies, clinics, and telehealth prescribers openly offer many unapproved peptides, and prescribers write prescriptions for them. That does not make humanin lawful. Humanin is not FDA approved and not on the 503A bulks list, so a pharmacy has no lawful basis to compound it. [5] [8]

Enforcement is uneven. FDA mostly acts through warning letters to compounders and online sellers, Category 2 safety listings, and import alerts that let it detain shipments, rather than stopping every pharmacy. State pharmacy boards oversee pharmacies day to day, and their rules differ. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

What changes for you

• No FDA review of the product: FDA does not check a compounded drug's safety, effectiveness, or quality before it is sold. [12]
• Identity, purity, sterility, and dose accuracy can vary from batch to batch. [8]
• Insurance rarely covers it, so you usually pay cash.
• For tested athletes, humanin is prohibited at all times on the WADA list, whatever the source. [7]

What to check

These checks lower some risks, but they do not make an unlawfully compounded product lawful or safe. Check for:

• A 503A pharmacy licensed in your state (your state board of pharmacy publishes license lookups). [12]
• A real evaluation by a licensed prescriber, not just an online form.
• A certificate of analysis for the specific batch.

Frequently asked questions

Decisions about starting, stopping, or combining any treatment belong with a licensed clinician who knows your history.

Sources

Numbered citations above point to these primary sources. PubMed entries link to the indexed abstract.