Now reading Entry 037 / 102 Last revised Sep 28, 2026 9 sources 3 comparisons Methodology →
A specimen of the Longevity drawer Drawer D · Longevity

Humanin

Research Only

A 24-amino acid mitochondria-derived peptide (MDP) discovered in 2001 that shows cytoprotective effects in cell and animal studies. Human studies mostly measure endogenous humanin levels; associations with aging or disease do not show that administered humanin is beneficial or safe. HNG and colivelin are modified analogues, not interchangeable names for native humanin.

HN · HN peptide

Research evidence
Low

Human biomarker associations do not establish therapeutic benefit from administering humanin.

Preclinical
22%
Human research
56%

Based on 9 cited sources

Nine cited publications: five human biomarker or observational papers, two direct preclinical papers, and two contextual or secondary papers. Mixed human/model reports are counted once in the human bucket. The human count does not represent trials administering humanin.

!
Evidence Level
low
Not FDA-approved.
Research Only
Identity
SCALE · 1:1 N-TERMINUS C-TERMINUS 24 AA · 2,687.17 Da
Also Known As
HN • HN peptide
Class
Mitochondria-Derived Peptide (MDP)
Length
24 amino acids
Mol. weight
2,687.17 Da
Sequence
MAPRGFSCLLLLTSEIDLPVKRRA
Molecular Structure
M
A
P
R
G
F
S
C
L
L
L
L
T
S
E
I
D
L
P
V
K
R
R
A
Hydrophobic
Polar
Positive
Negative

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid peptide first identified in cell models of Alzheimer-related toxicity. Native humanin, the stronger S14G-humanin/HNG analogue and colivelin are distinct research interventions. Findings from one should not be silently credited to another.

Mechanism and intervention studies

In cell experiments, humanin suppressed apoptosis induced by Alzheimer-related insults. Guo and colleagues later showed interaction with BAX and reduced BAX movement to mitochondria, with knockdown experiments supporting a role for endogenous humanin in that model. These are mechanistic findings, not evidence of neuroprotection in patients. PMID:11717357 · PMID:12732850

Animal work includes studies of native humanin and modified analogues. A 2020 study reported healthspan-related readouts after HNG treatment in middle-aged mice, alongside correlations of endogenous humanin with longevity-related phenotypes in animals and higher levels in children of centenarians. The mouse intervention and human observational findings answer different questions. They do not show that administering humanin extends human life. PMID:32575074

Human associations and clinical gap

Human studies have measured circulating or muscle humanin after disease, aging or exercise exposures. Their directions vary by population: one study reported positive correlations with age in healthy subjects, and a hemodialysis cohort reported a U-shaped association with adverse outcomes. Such biomarker associations cannot establish a therapeutic effect from giving humanin. No controlled human treatment trial or approved humanin product was identified; administration safety and peptide-combination effects remain unknown. PMID:33131010 · PMID:39102184

i. FPRL Receptor Signaling · Anti-Apoptotic
HumaninFPRL1/2 receptorGαi/o couplingERK1/2 activationSTAT3 signalingAnti-apoptotic gene expression
ii. BAX Inhibition Pathway · Cytoprotection
HumaninDirect BAX bindingBlocks BAX oligomerizationPrevents mitochondrial permeabilizationInhibits cytochrome c releaseCell survival
Mechanism FPRL1/2 receptor binding activating ERK1/2 and STAT3 anti-apoptotic signaling
Established 2 direct studies
Benefit shown to protect cells from apoptotic death
Evidence Level
Low
2 In Vitro
Mechanism Central insulin-action signaling studied in rats
Supported 1 direct study
Benefit may alter insulin sensitivity in rats
Evidence Level
Low
1 Animal
Mechanism Confidence
Established
Supported
Emerging
Evidence Level
High
Moderate
Low
Very Low
9 Sources 5 Human 2 Preclinical

Key Studies Cited

In Vitro Hashimoto Y et al. 2001
PMID:11717357
In Vitro Guo B et al. 2003
PMID:12732850
Animal Muzumdar RH et al. 2009
PMID:19623253

Use the source links in the research discussion above to inspect the referenced records.

This dossier synthesizes available evidence from peer-reviewed literature, regulatory documents, and clinical trial registries. Evidence strength labels summarize the cited material for this entry and should be read alongside its population, model, and study limitations.

For complete methodology details, see our Methodology page.

Important Disclaimer

This dossier is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making health decisions.

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Compare Humanin

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SHLP-2

Small Humanin-Like Peptide 2 · SHLP2 · Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide 2

A 26-amino acid mitochondria-derived peptide (MDP) discovered in 2016 from the same mitochondrial DNA region as humanin. Shows cytoprotective, metabolic, and potential longevity effects in preclinical studies. Part of an emerging class of mitochondrial signaling molecules, but human therapeutic data is lacking.

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SHLP-6

Small Humanin-Like Peptide 6 · SHLP6

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Safety profile Humanin: adverse events, contraindications and monitoring →

Compared With

5 comparisons

Conditions Studied

4 entries

Related Content

Peptide

MOTS-c

Longevity · low evidence

Peptide

SS-31

Longevity · high evidence

Peptide

Epithalon

Longevity · low evidence

Guide

What is Humanin?

An introduction to humanin, a naturally occurring mitochondr...

Comparison

Epithalon vs Humanin

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Comparison

Humanin vs SHLP-6

View side-by-side analysis