How does LL-37 work?

LL-37 is the 37-residue active form of the only human cathelicidin. This site's profile says it disrupts microbial membranes and modulates immune cell activity, wound repair, and inflammation. Half-life is listed as short. Molecular weight is 4,493.3 daltons. A first-in-man trial in 34 people with hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers found 0.5 mg/mL topical LL-37 raised the healing rate about sixfold versus placebo. The larger Phase 2b trial in 148 people found no significant improvement versus placebo in the full population; a benefit appeared only in a post hoc subgroup with large wounds. Reviews on that page describe a double-edged biology: it protects against infection and is also implicated in some inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. It is a research peptide, not an approved therapy. The early sixfold result did not hold up. This FAQ does not invent a dose. Full record at /compounds/ll-37.

Educational use only. This database summarizes published research and is not medical advice. Where a dose appears it is a record of what a trial or clinic ran, or what people describe doing, with its source attached. Nothing here is a recommendation for personal use.

Part of healing and recovery peptides. BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, and the tissue repair family, including what actually has human data.