Acetyl tetrapeptide-5
is used in cosmetic eye formulations to decrease puffiness, eye bags, and dark circles by reducing edema and protecting proteins such as SOD from glycation
Alanine
Ala / A · hydrophobic residue · neutral charge
AOD-9604
is studied as an anti-obesity peptide that can reduce weight gain and increase fat oxidation in obese animal models with generally neutral effects on IGF-1 and glucose metabolism in early human trials
Arginine
Arg / R · basic residue · positive charge
Argireline
is a topical cosmetic peptide reported to decrease dynamic wrinkles by partially mimicking the mechanism of botulinum toxin in a non-invasive manner
Asparagine
Asn / N · polar residue · neutral charge
Aspartic acid
Asp / D · acidic residue · negative charge
BPC-157
is investigated for accelerating healing of gastrointestinal mucosa, tendons, ligaments, bone, and nervous tissue in preclinical models, with anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects
Comparison
While Humanin exerts neuroprotective and cytoprotective effects in models of Alzheimer’s disease, ischemia, and metabolic stress, reducing apoptosis and improving cell survival7136141, Melanotan I is approved in some regions for prevention of phototoxicity in erythropoietic protoporphyria and is studied as a skin-darkening, photoprotective peptide3444.
While Humanin works as a mitochondrial-derived 24-amino-acid peptide that protects cells against diverse apoptotic insults by interacting with cell-surface cytokine receptor complexes and intracellular targets, thereby activating pro-survival STAT3 and other pathways7136141, Melanotan I is a linear 13-amino-acid analog of α-MSH (afamelanotide) that selectively activates MC1R on melanocytes, increasing eumelanin synthesis and providing photoprotection3444.
Humanin
MT-RNR2
Melanotan I
POMC
Humanin and Melanotan I are noticeably different, with limited direct overlap in their usual biological context. Their typical research and application settings separate fairly clearly: Humanin is more often discussed in the realm of Neurology and brain health, Aging and longevity, and Cardiovascular health, whereas Melanotan I is more often associated with the realm of Dermatology and aesthetics. They also influence different molecular systems, with Humanin tracking more closely to GPCR receptor while Melanotan I centers more on Melanocortin receptor. Humanin has a more mitochondrial-encoded origin, while Melanotan I is closer to synthetic analog background with Humanin in Preclinical development and Melanotan I approved for Research use only. Melanotan I incorporates d-amino acid substitution features that are not part of Humanin, while their sequence patterns also diverge, with Humanin showing alpha-helical domain features and Melanotan I showing protein-mimetic sequence features.
No related articles are linked to these peptides yet.