Cell / animal study· 2001
A rescue factor abolishing neuronal cell death by a wide spectrum of familial Alzheimer's disease genes and Abeta.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
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PreclinicalNot FDA-approved
Humanin
Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Also indexed as: HN · MOTS variants family
What this evidence does not tell us
The linked discovery study is laboratory neuroprotection research, not a dementia treatment trial.
Terms on this page
Unfamiliar word? Open this panel for simple explanations, right here.
5 glossary terms used in this profile
Terms on this page
Unfamiliar word? Open this panel for simple explanations, right here.
5 glossary terms used in this profile
Select a word to see its meaning. You can keep more than one definition open.
Definitions explain the words—not whether a molecule works or is safe. Research education only, not medical advice.
Overview
Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived peptide first characterized in laboratory neuroprotection research. Studies of an endogenous peptide are different from evidence supporting administration of a manufactured product.
Mechanism of action
Mitochondrial stress signaling
Investigated as a stress-response signal in cell-survival and apoptosis-related pathways. Mechanisms depend on the experimental model; no clinical neuroprotection effect follows from pathway activity alone.
A biological pathway describes a proposed or observed interaction—not necessarily a demonstrated health outcome.
Decode the terminology in our glossaryScientific evidence
How strong is the evidence?
Early lab & animal research
- Limited evidence
- Early researchCurrent category
- Human research
- Human outcomes
Most support comes from cells or animals. These studies help form questions, but do not prove a treatment works in people.
For this research: The linked discovery study is laboratory neuroprotection research, not a dementia treatment trial.
An editorial guide—not a validated score, a percentage, a safety rating or an approval badge. Regulatory status is separate. More research does not mean fewer risks.
Cell studies
The linked study investigates neuronal-cell survival in laboratory models.
Animal experiments
Animal evidence is not separately assessed here. Findings in animals must not be interpreted as demonstrated human benefit.
Human observational studies
Associations, biomarker studies and anecdotes cannot establish treatment causality; no observational result is used here to infer clinical effectiveness.
Human clinical trials
Reliable, independently replicated human outcome evidence is not established by the selected sources in this edition.
Regulatory evidence
No FDA-approved finished drug for this molecule is identified in this edition. Investigational use, published research or compounding does not establish FDA approval.
Potential research applications
Cell survival and neuroprotection hypotheses.
These describe scientific questions, not prescribing recommendations. A research grouping does not establish combination safety or clinical effectiveness.
Explore research by health goalSafety considerations
Human administration, long-term effects and interactions are insufficiently characterized. Endogenous occurrence does not prove a manufactured preparation is safe.
This is not an exhaustive safety or contraindication list. An absence of reported harm is not proof of safety. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, cancer history, endocrine disease and concurrent medicines can materially change risk. Unregulated preparations add identity, contamination and sterility risks.
Regulatory status · United States
Not FDA-approved
No FDA-approved finished drug for this molecule is identified in this edition. Investigational use, published research or compounding does not establish FDA approval.
Regulatory status and evidence strength are different. A nomination for compounding, a clinical-trial registration or a “research use only” label is not approval. International rules vary; consult the current regulator and product label.
Selected literature & source transparency
Matched bibliographic records confirm a publication’s identity, not the validity of every claim. Selected sources are not a systematic literature review.
Continue your own source search
These open search results, not additional verified citations. Trial registration is not evidence that a treatment works.
Three questions worth bringing to your clinician
- Which human outcomes—not just biomarkers—support this claim?
- What established options address my actual health concern?
- What do my medical history and current medicines change about the risks?
Beyond the library
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Explore our broader health optimization approach. A library entry does not mean a molecule is offered, prescribed, or appropriate for you.
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