Longevity & Cellular Aging

Telomeres, senescent cells and lifespan research.

7 peptides · 20 linked sources

Longevity & Cellular Aging: 7 peptides and related compounds in this index have at least one researched benefit that sources link to longevity & cellular aging. Those with approved or trial-backed evidence: SS-31, Glutathione.

Peptides discussed for longevity & cellular aging, at a glance
PeptideEvidence labelWhat sources discuss for this goal
SS-31Approved (specific use)Mitochondrial function, animal
GlutathioneTrial-backedRaises body glutathione
EpithalonEarly humanTelomere lengthening, lab; Lower mortality, small Russian trials
NAD+Early humanRaises NAD+ levels; Mitochondria and sirtuins, lab data
FOXO4-DRIPreclinicalClears senescent cells, mice; Chemo toxicity protection, mice
ThymalinEarly humanLongevity claim; Stem cell activation, lab
GHK-CuEarly humanGene modulation, lab data

Listed when one of a peptide's three researched benefits relates to longevity & cellular aging. Strongest evidence first. Inclusion is not a recommendation, and some listed effects are unproven or failed in trials.

Approved (specific use)

Approved by the FDA (or a major regulator) for at least one specific use. Approval covers that use only, not the other benefits listed.

  1. SS-31

    Mitochondrial function, animal, Muscle strength in Barth syndrome, Exercise tolerance, animal and anecdotal

    01 Mitochondrial function, animal

    • Improves mitochondrial function: restored ATP production and OXPHOS coupling and reversed redox stress in aged mouse muscleanimal studies12
    Side effects, quotes and full profile

Trial-backed

Larger randomized human trials exist, positive or negative, but no US approval for the uses discussed.

  1. Glutathione

    Raises body glutathione, Skin lightening, mixed trials, Fatty liver, small pilot

    01 Raises body glutathione

    • Raises body glutathione stores: 6-month RCT (n=54) of 1,000 mg/day oral GSH raised levels ~30-35% in blood cells/plasma and 260% in buccal cells; returned toward baseline after washouthuman RCT34
    Side effects, quotes and full profile

Early human

Small, short, old, unblinded or single-group human studies.

  1. Epithalon

    Telomere lengthening, lab, Lower mortality, small Russian trials, Melatonin rhythm, extract data

    01 Telomere lengthening, lab

    • Telomeres: induced telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human fetal fibroblasts (in vitro); 2025 independent cell study also found telomere lengthening via hTERT in normal cellsin vitro56

    02 Lower mortality, small Russian trials

    • Mortality: parent extract epithalamin in 70 older adults with heart disease linked to 28% lower overall and 2-fold lower cardiovascular mortality over 12 years; 266-person cohort reported 1.6-1.8x lower mortalitysmall Russian human trials, not independently replicated; extract, not synthetic epitalon789
    Side effects, quotes and full profile
  2. NAD+

    Raises NAD+ levels, Mitochondria and sirtuins, lab data, Energy and focus, anecdotal

    01 Raises NAD+ levels

    • Raises NAD+ levels (theoretically restoring age-related NAD+ decline); IV infusion raised plasma NAD+ ~400% at end of 6 h infusion in a small human pilot; oral NR/NMN about double blood NAD+human trials101112

    02 Mitochondria and sirtuins, lab data

    • Supports mitochondrial function and sirtuin activity (SIRT1/SIRT3 mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy) per mechanistic reviewscell/animal data1213
    Side effects, quotes and full profile
  3. Thymalin

    Immune restoration, small trial, Longevity claim, Stem cell activation, lab

    02 Longevity claim

    • Longevity claim: elderly given thymalin (± epithalamin) over 6-8 years reportedly had ~2-fold lower mortalityKhavinson human study, poorly reported, not replicated81617

    03 Stem cell activation, lab

    • Activates differentiation of human hematopoietic stem cellsin vitro18
    Side effects, quotes and full profile
  4. GHK-Cu

    Firmer skin, small cosmetic studies, Wound healing, mostly animal, Gene modulation, lab data

    03 Gene modulation, lab data

    • Broad gene modulation: affects ~31% of human genes (>=50% change), including DNA-repair, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory genes; reversed COPD emphysema gene signature in lung fibroblastsgene-expression/in vitro1920
    Side effects, quotes and full profile

Preclinical

Mostly cell and animal studies. Human effects unknown.

  1. FOXO4-DRI

    Clears senescent cells, mice, Chemo toxicity protection, mice, Kidney function, mice

    01 Clears senescent cells, mice

    • Senolytic: selectively killed senescent cells via p53 nuclear exclusion; restored fitness, fur density and kidney function in fast-aging and naturally aged miceanimal, Baar et al. Cell 20171415

    02 Chemo toxicity protection, mice

    • Chemotoxicity protection: reduced doxorubicin-induced liver toxicity in miceanimal14
    Side effects, quotes and full profile

Questions about longevity & cellular aging

Which peptides are discussed for longevity & cellular aging?

SS-31, Glutathione, Epithalon, NAD+, FOXO4-DRI, Thymalin, GHK-Cu.

Which have the strongest evidence for longevity & cellular aging?

Labelled approved or trial-backed: SS-31, Glutathione. Approval covers specific uses only.

Is any of this a recommendation?

No. humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims of its own. Each entry reports what cited sources say, with links. Talk to a licensed clinician.

Before you go in

humanpeptides.fyi is an educational index for adults. It summarizes and links to what others have published and reported about peptides and related compounds studied or used in humans. It is not medical advice and gives no dosing guidance. Many listed compounds are not approved for human use, and listing one is not a recommendation. Anecdotes are unverified. Images are AI-generated. By continuing, you agree to the Disclaimer and Terms of Use and the Privacy Notice.

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