What it is
Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived peptide, a small protein encoded by a short open reading frame in the mitochondrial genome, with cytoprotective (cell-protecting) and metabolic roles. It is studied for neuroprotection, cardioprotection and its association with longevity.
It was first identified in a screen for genes that protect neuronal cells from death caused by Alzheimer's disease-related insults. In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under immune.
How it's thought to work
Humanin is described as protecting cells from apoptosis and from oxidative and metabolic stress through several pathways, supporting neuronal and metabolic resilience. In cell studies, its neuroprotective effect depended on STAT3 activation and on gp130, and it binds a receptor complex involving CNTFR, WSX-1 and gp130.
What the research says
Preclinical work includes protection of cultured neurons from Alzheimer's disease-related insults. In rodents, infusion of humanin or its analogs improved insulin sensitivity. In humans, circulating humanin levels have been reported to decline with age. They have also been reported to be lower in people with Alzheimer's disease or MELAS (a mitochondrial disease) and higher in children of centenarians than in age-matched controls. These are observations of natural levels, not trials of giving humanin to people. Humanin has no approved therapeutic use and is not FDA-approved.
Reported side effects
Human safety data on administered humanin is essentially absent, and long-term effects are unknown.
Reconstitution
Humanin is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic (BAC) water before use. It commonly comes in 5 mg and 10 mg vials. The amount of peptide in the vial is fixed; the water added only changes how concentrated the solution is.
Worked example. A 5 mg vial is 5,000 mcg. Reconstituted with 1 mL of BAC water, that works out to 5,000 mcg ÷ 1 mL = 5,000 mcg/mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, where each unit is 0.01 mL, each unit holds 5,000 × 0.01 = 50 mcg. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to work out the concentration and units for any vial size and water volume.
Important notes
Humanin is an early-stage research compound and is not FDA-approved.
Sources
- A rescue factor abolishing neuronal cell death by a wide spectrum of familial Alzheimer's disease genes and Abeta.. Hashimoto Y et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2001. Preclinical
- Humanin inhibits neuronal cell death by interacting with a cytokine receptor complex or complexes involving CNTF receptor alpha/WSX-1/gp130.. Hashimoto Y et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2009. Preclinical
- Humanin: a novel central regulator of peripheral insulin action.. Muzumdar RH et al. PLoS ONE, 2009. Preclinical
- The mitochondrial derived peptide humanin is a regulator of lifespan and healthspan.. Yen K et al. Aging, 2020. Preclinical
Frequently asked questions
These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.
What is humanin?
A mitochondrial-derived peptide with cytoprotective and metabolic roles, studied for neuroprotection, cardioprotection and its association with longevity.
How is humanin thought to work?
It is described as protecting cells from apoptosis and oxidative and metabolic stress through several pathways, including STAT3 signaling and a receptor complex involving CNTFR, WSX-1 and gp130.
What does the research on humanin say?
Preclinical studies show neuroprotective and metabolic effects, and circulating levels have been reported to decline with age in humans. It has no approved therapeutic use.
What are the reported side effects of humanin?
Human safety data on administered humanin is essentially absent, and long-term effects are unknown.
How much is one unit from a 5 mg Humanin vial?
With 1 mL of BAC water, a 5 mg vial is 5,000 mcg/mL, so one unit on a U-100 syringe (0.01 mL) holds 50 mcg.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for Humanin — one of 70 compounds covered — plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
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