Head to head
MOTS-c against Humanin
The two mitochondrial-derived peptides with genuine human observational records, both declining with age and tracking with disease. Neither has been given to people as a drug in a published trial, which is the fact that separates observation from treatment.
Column A
MOTS-cMitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-c
A mitochondrial-derived peptide with a real human literature: a common East Asian genetic variant, circulating levels measured across age and disease, and an exercise response, alongside a first controlled trial now recruiting. None of that shows a benefit from giving it as a drug.
Column B
HumaninHumanin (mitochondrial-derived peptide)
A mitochondrial-derived peptide with a genuine human observational record: it declines with age, runs high in children of centenarians, tracks with cardiovascular and metabolic risk, and rises in the muscle of people with a mitochondrial disease. No study has given it to people as a drug.
Side by side, on the facts we can check
| Attribute | MOTS-c | Humanin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Longevity | Longevity |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved. Removed from Category 2 (April 2026); PCAC voted 7 to 5 to recommend for compounding (July 2026) against the FDA reviewers' recommendation; awaiting FDA action. One Phase 2a trial recruiting (NCT07505745) | Not FDA-approved; investigational. Not nominated to the FDA's 503A bulks list as of the July 2026 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting, unlike BPC-157, TB-500 and MOTS-c |
| Half-life | Short | Short |
| Molecular weight | ~2,174 Da | ~2,687 Da |
| Mechanism | In animal work MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress and regulates nuclear gene expression, in part by inhibiting the folate cycle and de novo purine synthesis, which activates AMPK and downstream glucose and lipid metabolism pathways in skeletal muscle. No receptor has been identified. FDA's 2026 evaluation notes that the molecular targets through which MOTS-c acts are unknown, which limits any prediction of which organs exogenous MOTS-c would affect, and that incubating MOTS-c with human whole blood in vitro causes rapid proteolytic breakdown into shorter peptides, leaving it unclear whether a subcutaneous injection could sustain a pharmacologically active concentration in the body. | Humanin activates cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic signaling, in part through binding IGFBP-3 and Bax, and influences insulin sensitivity centrally through hypothalamic STAT-3 and peripherally through direct effects on glucose uptake and hepatic glucose production. In cell and animal models it protects against oxidative stress and toxic insults linked to Alzheimer's disease. No study has measured its pharmacokinetics or receptor binding in humans. |
| Human studies cited | 8 | 5 |
| Legal status, US | Not approved; research use only | Not approved; research use only |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MOTS-c and Humanin?
MOTS-c: A mitochondrial-derived peptide with a real human literature: a common East Asian genetic variant, circulating levels measured across age and disease, and an exercise response, alongside a first controlled trial now recruiting. None of that shows a benefit from giving it as a drug. Humanin: A mitochondrial-derived peptide with a genuine human observational record: it declines with age, runs high in children of centenarians, tracks with cardiovascular and metabolic risk, and rises in the muscle of people with a mitochondrial disease. No study has given it to people as a drug.
Which has stronger research evidence, MOTS-c or Humanin?
This database does not grade compounds. It counts what was run in people: 8 of the 13 studies cited on the MOTS-c profile were human work, against 5 of 9 for Humanin. Those counts are of our own citation lists and understate any larger literature, and neither is a recommendation.
Are MOTS-c and Humanin FDA-approved?
MOTS-c: Not FDA-approved. Removed from Category 2 (April 2026); PCAC voted 7 to 5 to recommend for compounding (July 2026) against the FDA reviewers' recommendation; awaiting FDA action. One Phase 2a trial recruiting (NCT07505745). Humanin: Not FDA-approved; investigational. Not nominated to the FDA's 503A bulks list as of the July 2026 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting, unlike BPC-157, TB-500 and MOTS-c.
Related posts
Blog articles that cover MOTS-c or Humanin, newest first.
- Longevity / Sep 8, 2026 / 12 minPeptides for Longevity: What the Evidence Actually Shows in 2026
- Metabolic / Sep 8, 2026 / 7 minSLU-PP-332 and 5-Amino-1MQ: Two 'Peptides' That Are Not Peptides, and What the Mouse Data Actually Show
- Longevity / Sep 8, 2026 / 7 minSS-31 and Elamipretide: What the Forzinity Approval Does and Does Not Mean
- Metabolic / Sep 8, 2026 / 7 minMOTS-c: The Mouse Data, the One Human Trial, and the 7 to 5 FDA Vote
Reviewed Sep 2026. This page sets two published records side by side. It is educational, it is not medical advice, and it contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use.