Peptides Studied in
Longevity Research
Epithalon, GHK-Cu, MOTS-c, SS-31, and NAD+ represent the most-studied compounds in longevity, telomere biology, and mitochondrial aging research. Research-grade, 99%+ purity, batch-specific COA on every order.
What the Research Covers
Longevity research at the peptide level converges on three primary biological domains: telomere maintenance and telomerase regulation, mitochondrial function and energetics, and gene expression modulation in aging tissue. Each of the five compounds on this page represents a distinct mechanistic entry point into aging biology, from Epithalon's effect on telomerase to MOTS-c and SS-31's roles in mitochondrial signaling and membrane integrity.
These research compounds are intended exclusively for in vitro and preclinical laboratory research use. They are not approved for therapeutic applications and are not intended for human consumption. All compounds should be sourced with batch-specific COA documentation confirming purity and molecular identity from accredited third-party laboratories.
Longevity Research Compounds
Epithalon
Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly)
$229.99 / 50mg
Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide analog of the pineal gland extract Epithalamin. Research has demonstrated its ability to stimulate telomerase activity in somatic cells and modulate melatonin synthesis. Animal longevity studies have reported significant lifespan extension effects. It represents one of the most-studied telomere-related research compounds.
GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu (Glycine-Histidine-Lysine Copper)
$49.99 / 50mg
In longevity research, GHK-Cu is studied for its broad gene expression effects in aged tissue. Studies have identified modulation of over 4,000 human genes, with upregulation of DNA repair, antioxidant defense, and mitochondrial function genes. These effects appear more active in aged tissue than younger tissue, making GHK-Cu a significant compound in aging biology research.
MOTS-c
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c)
$99.99 / 5mg
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded in the mitochondrial genome itself, representing a novel class of mitochondrially encoded signaling molecules. Research has documented its role in AMPK pathway activation, metabolic flexibility, and exercise-induced adaptations. Plasma levels decline with age, and preclinical studies show improved stress resistance when levels are restored in aged models.
SS-31
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
$179.99 / 5mg
SS-31 (Elamipretide) selectively concentrates at the inner mitochondrial membrane and stabilizes cardiolipin, a phospholipid critical to electron transport chain function and ATP synthesis. Research in aged animal models has demonstrated restoration of mitochondrial morphology, reduction in oxidative stress, and improvement in cardiac and skeletal muscle function.
NAD+
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
$139.99 / 500mg
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme essential to sirtuin activation, PARP DNA repair enzymes, and mitochondrial electron transport. Research has established that NAD+ levels decline significantly with age, and preclinical supplementation studies have demonstrated improvements in muscle physiology, metabolic function, and longevity-associated biological markers.
Explore the Research
Longevity Peptide Research: Common Questions
What peptides are most studied in longevity research?
The most-researched longevity compounds are Epithalon, GHK-Cu, MOTS-c, SS-31, and NAD+. Epithalon is studied for telomerase activation. GHK-Cu is researched for gene expression modulation in aged tissue. MOTS-c is studied for mitochondrial-derived AMPK signaling. SS-31 is researched for cardiolipin stabilization and mitochondrial membrane integrity. NAD+ is studied for sirtuin activation and cellular energy metabolism, areas directly tied to aging biology.
What does research show about Epithalon and telomeres?
Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide first isolated by Vladimir Khavinson from the pineal gland extract Epithalamin. Research has demonstrated its ability to stimulate telomerase activity in somatic cells, an enzyme that maintains telomere length and is typically restricted to germ cells and certain stem cell populations. Animal longevity studies have reported significant lifespan effects, though human clinical research remains an active area of investigation.
How does MOTS-c relate to mitochondrial aging research?
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded in the 12S rRNA region of the mitochondrial genome. Research has shown it activates AMPK signaling, a key cellular energy sensing pathway, and promotes metabolic flexibility and insulin sensitivity. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MOTS-c levels decline with age and that exogenous MOTS-c improves exercise adaptations and stress resistance in aged animal models. It represents a novel category of mitochondrially encoded signaling molecules.
What makes SS-31 significant in aging research?
SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a tetrapeptide that selectively concentrates at the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it interacts with cardiolipin, a phospholipid critical to electron transport chain complex assembly and ATP synthesis. Cardiolipin content decreases significantly with aging, contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction. Research in animal models has demonstrated that SS-31 improves cardiac function, reduces oxidative stress, and restores mitochondrial morphology in aged tissue.
How does GHK-Cu appear in longevity research?
In longevity research, GHK-Cu is studied primarily for its gene expression effects rather than acute wound healing. Studies have identified that GHK-Cu modulates over 4,000 human genes, including upregulating genes involved in DNA repair, antioxidant defense, and mitochondrial function, while downregulating genes associated with inflammation and tumor progression. These effects appear more pronounced in aged tissue than in younger tissue.
What does NAD+ research show about aging biology?
NAD+ is a coenzyme essential to sirtuin activation (SIRT1-7), PARP DNA repair enzymes, and mitochondrial electron transport. Research has established that NAD+ levels decline by 50% or more between young adulthood and older age in humans and animals. Preclinical studies have demonstrated improvements in muscle physiology, liver function, energy metabolism, and longevity markers when NAD+ levels are restored. Human trials with NAD+ precursors are ongoing across multiple research institutions.
Do longevity research peptides require specialized storage?
Yes. Epithalon, MOTS-c, SS-31, and GHK-Cu are lyophilized peptides requiring protection from heat, light, and moisture. NAD+ in lyophilized form is similarly temperature-sensitive. All compounds should be stored per the specifications on their batch-specific Certificates of Analysis. For long-term storage, freezer conditions are generally recommended for most lyophilized longevity compounds.
What purity standard applies to longevity research compounds?
Research-grade longevity compounds should meet at minimum 98% purity by HPLC, with 99%+ as the premium standard. At Blackwell BioLabs, all five longevity compounds are verified at 99%+ purity with mass spectrometry identity confirmation, endotoxin testing, and batch-specific COAs from ISO 17025-accredited independent laboratories.
Ready to Source Research-Grade Compounds?
All products intended exclusively for laboratory research. Not for human consumption. Batch-specific COA included with every order.
All products on this site are intended exclusively for laboratory research and analytical use. They are not intended for human or veterinary use, and are not approved by any regulatory agency for diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive purposes. Not for human consumption.