Humanin
Also known as: HN, HNG (humanin analog), Humanin G
A naturally occurring 24-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA. It was discovered through Alzheimer's disease research and has shown strong neuroprotective and anti-aging properties in lab and animal studies. Levels naturally decline with age.
How it works
Humanin protects cells from stress and death through multiple pathways. It blocks the action of pro-death proteins like Bax and Bid, activates protective signaling through the STAT3 and PI3K/AKT pathways, and reduces oxidative stress. Your body naturally makes humanin in the mitochondria, but levels drop significantly as you age. Interestingly, the naked mole-rat, which barely ages, maintains stable humanin levels throughout its life.
Common uses
- Neuroprotection research
- Anti-aging and longevity research
- Cardiovascular protection research
- Metabolic health research
- Alzheimer's disease research
Side effects
- Very limited human safety data
- No known side effects from the small research studies conducted
- Unknown long-term effects
- Injection site reactions possible
Key research
- Animal studies show humanin prevents age-related cognitive decline in mice
- Twice-weekly treatment with humanin analog HNG improved metabolic health and reduced inflammation in middle-aged mice
- 2025 research demonstrates neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease models via PI3K/AKT pathway
- Studies show humanin reduces age-related heart fibrosis in mice
- Naked mole-rat research links stable humanin levels to negligible senescence
Safety notes
- Zero human clinical trials exist
- Not FDA-approved for any indication
- Available only through research peptide suppliers
- Endogenous levels decline with age, making it a biomarker of interest for aging research
- Much of the promising data comes from animal models that need human validation
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