Humanin
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Complete Research Guide
Open each section for the available evidence. Gaps are stated rather than inferred.
Overview
Humanin is listed as mitochondrial / cytoprotective peptide.
- •Neuroprotection
- •Metabolic stress (research)
Regulatory status: Research peptide — not approved.
Structure & Properties
Compound: Humanin; also known as HN, HNG analog.
Pharmacologic class: Mitochondrial / Cytoprotective Peptide.
Known delivery routes: Subcutaneous, Intranasal (research).
Sequence, molecular weight, salt form, and excipient details are formulation-specific and are not listed unless verified by a manufacturer or laboratory COA.
How It Works
24-aa mitochondrial-derived peptide — binds IGFBP-3, suppresses Bax-mediated apoptosis; cytoprotective against amyloid-β and oxidative stress.
- •Neuroprotection in AD models
- •Cardioprotection
- •Improved insulin action
Human Research
Evidence grade: Pre-clinical / Observational
Evidence is primarily preclinical or observational; human effectiveness and long-term safety are not established.
Laboratory Research
Pre-clinical neurodegeneration & cardiometabolic models
Preclinical findings describe biological plausibility, not proven benefit in people. Animal and laboratory doses do not translate directly to human use.
Processing & Interactions
Timing and exposure
Daily or every-other-day SubQ, morning.
Potential interactions and combinations to avoid
- •Limited data — avoid unsupervised stacking
Absorption, half-life, metabolism, and clearance can vary by formulation and route. Use prescribing information when an approved product exists.
Safety & Precautions
Known or reported risks
- •Unknown human safety
- •Potential mitogenic effects (theoretical)
Contraindications
- •Pregnancy
- •Active malignancy
- •Primary mitochondrial disease under specialist management (treatment interference)
- •Severe hepatic or renal impairment
- •Concurrent high-dose antioxidant or metformin therapy without metabolic monitoring
- •Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- •Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- •Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- •Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- •Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- •Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- •Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- •Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- •Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- •Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- •Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Unknown long-term toxicity should be assumed where controlled human data are limited. Seek urgent care for a severe or unexpected reaction.
Administration & Studied Formulations
Reference range: Research dosing only
Frequency: Variable
Cycling: Not established.
Subcutaneous (SubQ)
Default route for most research and therapeutic peptides — best absorption for reconstituted powder.
31G × 5/16" insulin syringe (U-100). 100 units = 1 mL. Pinch skin at abdomen (2" from navel), outer thigh, or love handle. Insert at 45–90°. Rotate sites daily to prevent lipohypertrophy. Alcohol-swab site, air-dry, inject slow, hold 5 sec.
Intranasal
Preferred for CNS-targeted peptides (nose-to-brain delivery) and rescue formulations.
Metered nasal spray (0.05–0.1 mL / puff) or dropper. Blow nose first. Tilt head slightly forward. Insert tip, occlude opposite nostril, spray on inhalation. Alternate nostrils. Do not sniff hard — pool in mucosa.
Dosing information is educational context, not a personal recommendation. Approved products must follow their label and prescriber instructions.
Applications & Related Therapies
Potentially complementary measures
- •SS-31, MOTS-c
Clinical use should account for diagnosis, approved alternatives, nutrition, activity, sleep, rehabilitation, current medicines, and appropriate monitoring.
Cases, Considerations & Ethics
Decision framework: establish the clinical goal, confirm evidence quality and legal status, screen contraindications and interactions, compare approved alternatives, define monitoring and stopping criteria, and use shared decision-making with a licensed clinician.
Case evidence: individual reports cannot establish safety or effectiveness and should not outweigh controlled trials.
Ethics: informed consent should distinguish established care from experimental use, disclose uncertainty and cost, avoid overstated claims, and never substitute research products for medically necessary care.
What is Humanin?
In plain words
Humanin is a small protein fragment that comes from mitochondria, the energy-producing parts of cells. It interacts with proteins involved in cell survival and can block signals that cause cells to die. Researchers study it for protecting nerve cells and helping cells withstand stress linked to energy use. Evidence comes from lab, animal, or observational studies; it is not FDA-approved, human safety is unknown, and unwanted cell growth is a theoretical concern.
Technical definition
Humanin (HN) is a 24-amino-acid, mitochondria-derived cytoprotective peptide that binds insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and suppresses Bax-mediated apoptosis. Preclinical research describes protection against amyloid-β and oxidative stress, with neuroprotection and metabolic stress among its research areas; available evidence is preclinical or observational. It is a research peptide, not FDA-approved, with unknown human safety and theoretical risks of promoting cell growth.
Function
Dosing
Recommended Time of Day
Morning, fasted.
See “Timing & Interactions” below for full fasted/fed circumstances, what to avoid combining, and what pairs well.
Administration & Technique
Injection & Application Sites
- Abdomen — 2 in (5 cm) away from the navel, either side. Fastest, most consistent SubQ absorption.
- Flank / love handle — Lateral fat pad above the hip. Good rotation site when the abdomen is tender.
- Outer thigh — Upper outer quadrant, a hand-width below the hip. SubQ pinch at 45°.
- Intranasal — Alternate nostrils, spray on inhalation, do not sniff hard.
Diagram is a general illustration, not a medical instruction. Rotate sites every injection, keep 1 in (2.5 cm) between recent sites, and avoid scars, moles, bruises and the navel area.
Cycling
Not established.
Timing & Interactions
- ·Limited data — avoid unsupervised stacking
- ·SS-31, MOTS-c
Storage & Reconstitution
Reconstitution Calculator
1 mL = 100 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. Draw to the nearest 0.5 unit and confirm dosing with a clinician before injection.
Your Notes
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Benefits
- ·Neuroprotection in AD models
- ·Cardioprotection
- ·Improved insulin action
Risks
- ·Unknown human safety
- ·Potential mitogenic effects (theoretical)
Contraindications
- ·Pregnancy
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Primary mitochondrial disease under specialist management (treatment interference)
- ·Severe hepatic or renal impairment
- ·Concurrent high-dose antioxidant or metformin therapy without metabolic monitoring
- ·Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- ·Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- ·Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- ·Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- ·Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- ·Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- ·Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- ·Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- ·Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- ·Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- ·Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Regulatory
Research peptide — not approved
Veterinary Use (Pets)
No established veterinary protocol for Humanin. Consult a licensed veterinarian before considering off-label use in any species.
Full veterinary reference →Functional Groups
Cited Works
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