Humanin

DNot approvedMitochondrial, antioxidant and longevity compounds →HNHNG (humanin analogue)mitochondrial-derived peptide
In one paragraphHumanin is a small peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA, discovered in 2001, with cell-protective effects in laboratory models of Alzheimer's, diabetes and cardiovascular stress. In people, blood levels of humanin fall with age and vary with disease — but that is observation of the humanin people already have, not a test of giving more. No controlled human trial has administered it. It is not approved anywhere.
Schematic 3D structure of Humanin
24 residues · mitochondrial-encoded, partly α-helical · schematic
Overall gradeD No human evidence
Human trials0 controlled
Outcomes graded3
Last reviewed3 September 2026
EvidenceWhat it isHow it worksUnknownsMolecule & PKRegulationQuestionsReferences

What the human research shows

A sibling of MOTS-c: genuinely novel biology (mitochondria encode signalling peptides) paired with zero human intervention evidence. The human studies measure natural humanin; they say nothing about injecting it.

MetabolicCardioMuscleHealingNeuroImmuneSexualSkinAgeing

Evidence profile0–5

  • Metabolic & weightD0.0
  • Cardiovascular—0.0
  • Muscle & growth—0.0
  • Healing & repair—0.0
  • Neuro & sleep—0.0
  • Immune & inflammation—0.0
  • Sexual & hormonal—0.0
  • Skin & appearance—0.0
  • Ageing & longevityD0.0
No benefit outcome for Humanin has both human evidence and a measurable effect, so the profile is empty. That is the finding, not a gap in the chart.
OutcomeGradeEffect sizeHuman studiesWhere the evidence comes from
Cytoprotection / metabolic healthDNo human evidenceNot measurable0 controlledHumanin protects neurons and other cells from stress in laboratory and animal models. Human work is observational — levels correlate with age and disease — and cannot show what supplementation would do.
Ageing / longevityDNo human evidenceNot measurableAssociation onlyHigher circulating humanin has been associated with markers of health and with dietary patterns in cohort studies. Association in people who already have it is not an intervention result.
Safety in humansadverseDNo human evidenceNot measurableNoneNo human dosing study of any kind, and therefore no safety data.
AMultiple good human trials, consistentBSome human trials, mostly consistentCFew or weak human studiesDAnimal or anecdotal onlyeffect size · red = adverse

Literature searched to 3 September 2026. Human studies only; animal and cell work informs the mechanism section and nothing else.

What it is

Humanin was the first discovered of the mitochondrial-derived peptides — short peptides encoded in mitochondrial DNA that act as signals to the rest of the cell and body. It was found in 2001 in brain tissue relatively spared in Alzheimer's disease.

It is sold, like MOTS-c, as an injectable 'mitochondrial' and anti-ageing peptide. The distance between the discovery biology and 'inject this' is the entire clinical development process, none of which has been done.

How it is thought to work

It interacts with cell-surface and intracellular targets to blunt apoptosis (programmed cell death) and inflammatory stress in laboratory models. Human blood levels decline with age, which is an association, not a demonstrated mechanism of benefit from supplementation.

What is still unknown

  • Whether administering humanin does anything in a person.
  • Dose, route, half-life and safety in humans — none established.
  • Whether the age-related decline is a cause or a consequence of anything.

The molecule and how long it lasts

Identity
Formula
C119H204N34O32S2
Molecular weight
2687.2 g/mol
CAS number
330936-69-1
PubChem
CID 16131438

PubChem record, read 23 September 2026.

Pharmacokinetics
Route
Injected as sold; no human administration study
Half-life
No human pharmacokinetic data

No pharmacokinetic study in people.

Regulatory status

European Union
Unauthorised medicinal product

No marketing authorisation in any member state. Supplying it for human use is an offence under national medicines law; a 'research use only' label does not change that.

United States
Not approved

Not an approved drug and not a dietary-supplement ingredient. Sold as a 'research chemical' outside the medical system; the FDA has warned against several compounds in this class.

United Kingdom
Unlicensed medicine

Not licensed by the MHRA. Selling or supplying it for human use is an offence under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

Australia
Prescription-only / unapproved

Not on the ARTG. Supply without a prescription is unlawful; imports are seized.

Canada
Not authorised

No Drug Identification Number; selling it for human use is illegal.

Sport (WADA)
Prohibited at all times

As a non-approved substance, humanin falls under WADA class S0 (non-approved substances) and is prohibited in and out of competition.

Questions people actually ask

Does humanin slow ageing?
Unknown. The protective effects are from cell and animal studies. Human research so far measures naturally occurring humanin; it has never been given to people in a controlled trial.
Is it the same idea as MOTS-c?
Yes — both are peptides encoded in mitochondrial DNA, with interesting lab biology and no human intervention trials.

One page per claimed effect

References

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Observational human studies of circulating humanin with age, disease and diet.Various, e.g. Aging (Albany NY) and Front Nutr, 2018–2026Association studies; not interventions.

Change log

  • 2026-09-03Initial publication. All outcomes graded D on absence of human intervention trials.