Cortexin

CNot approved (Russia only)Nootropic and sleep peptides →Korteksincortex polypeptidesporcine/bovine brain cortex peptide extract
In one paragraphCortexin is a mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides extracted from calf and pig brain cortex, registered in Russia and given by injection for stroke, brain injury and cognitive impairment. Its best evidence is a 272-patient double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in ischaemic stroke published in Russian in 2014, whose abstract reports 'high efficacy' without a primary endpoint or a figure. No trial has been published in an international journal. It is not approved anywhere this site covers.
Overall gradeC Weak
Human trials1 double-blind RCT (n=272, Russian); open trials
Outcomes graded2
Last reviewed23 September 2026
EvidenceWhat it isHow it worksUnknownsMolecule & PKRegulationQuestionsReferences

What the human research shows

The cerebrolysin pattern with less data: a registered Russian extract, one placebo-controlled trial that cannot be evaluated from its abstract, and no independent replication. Grade C rather than D because a randomised, blinded trial in patients was run.

MetabolicCardioMuscleHealingNeuroImmuneSexualSkinAgeing

Evidence profile0–5

  • Metabolic & weight—0.0
  • Cardiovascular—0.0
  • Muscle & growth—0.0
  • Healing & repair—0.0
  • Neuro & sleepC0.7
  • Immune & inflammation—0.0
  • Sexual & hormonal—0.0
  • Skin & appearance—0.0
  • Ageing & longevity—0.0
Each score is confidence × effect size, taken from the best-evidenced benefit in that domain: the grade (A–D) sets the confidence, the measured effect sets the size. Hover a domain to see the outcomes behind it. Adverse effects are excluded and listed separately below.
OutcomeGradeEffect sizeHuman studiesWhere the evidence comes from
Recovery after ischaemic strokeCWeakSmall1 double-blind RCT (n=272, 70 days)Two ten-day courses of 10 mg three times daily were compared with one course and with placebo. The abstract reports a benefit for two courses and recommends the drug; it gives no endpoint, effect size or statistics.1
Cognitive impairmentDNo human evidenceNot measurableOpen-label Russian reportsUncontrolled series in encephalopathy and after stroke; nothing that can be graded above D.2
AMultiple good human trials, consistentBSome human trials, mostly consistentCFew or weak human studiesDAnimal or anecdotal onlyeffect size · red = adverse

Literature searched to 23 September 2026. Human studies only; animal and cell work informs the mechanism section and nothing else.

What it is

Cortexin was developed at the Military Medical Academy in St Petersburg and registered in Russia in 1999. Like cerebrolysin it is an undefined mixture — peptides under 10 kDa from animal brain — standardised by process rather than by composition. It is a routine hospital neuroprotectant in Russia and neighbouring countries and is sold online to the West as a nootropic.

How it is thought to work

Claimed actions include neurotrophic signalling, reduced excitotoxicity and antioxidant effects, from animal and cell studies by Russian groups. As with any extract, which components are active is unknown.

What is still unknown

  • What the 2014 trial actually measured and found; the full paper is in Russian and the abstract reports no numbers.
  • Whether the drug does anything a trial meeting international reporting standards would detect — cerebrolysin, its closest analogue, largely did not.

The molecule and how long it lasts

Identity

An undefined mixture of brain-cortex peptides under 10 kDa — no molecular identity

Pharmacokinetics
Route
Intramuscular as used clinically
Half-life
No pharmacokinetic data (an undefined peptide mixture)

No pharmacokinetic study in people.

Regulatory status

European Union
Not authorised

No marketing authorisation; supply for human use is unlawful.

United States
Not approved

Not FDA-approved.

United Kingdom
Not licensed

Unlicensed medicine.

Australia
Not on the ARTG

Not registered.

Canada
Not authorised

No Drug Identification Number.

Sport (WADA)
Prohibited at all times

Unapproved by any regulator WADA recognises, so S0 (non-approved substances).

Questions people actually ask

Is cortexin the same as cerebrolysin?
Same idea, different animal and maker: both are brain-peptide extracts from the Russian and Austrian traditions. Cerebrolysin has Cochrane reviews (negative or inconclusive); cortexin has one Russian trial.
Does cortexin work for stroke?
The one double-blind trial says yes in its abstract and gives no numbers. That is not enough to know.

One page per claimed effect

References

  1. 1
  2. 2

Change log

  • 2026-09-23Initial publication. Grade C on one unreportable Russian RCT.