Humanin
Also called HN; HNG / S14G-humanin (modified analogue)
A small peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA and studied for cell survival, metabolism and aging. It is an important research tool, but there is no evidence that taking it extends human life, and one cancer study raises a real safety question.
Overview
What it is
A 24-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide, first identified because it protected lab-grown nerve cells from Alzheimer's-related damage. HNG (S14G-humanin) is a modified, more potent version, not just another name.
How it works
Humanin binds BAX, a protein that triggers mitochondrial cell death, and keeps it from reaching mitochondria. That helps stressed cells survive. Which cells are protected matters, because protecting a cancer cell is harmful.
What the research shows
Rodent studies linked humanin signaling to better insulin sensitivity, and a modified version lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats. Worms engineered to make more humanin lived longer, and children of centenarians had higher natural humanin levels. Those people were not given humanin, so the levels could be a marker rather than a cause.
Studied for
- Nerve cell protection from Alzheimer's-related stresslab
- Insulin sensitivity and blood sugarrodents
- Lifespan (worms, mice) and levels in long-lived familiesobservational
Safety and regulatory status
Safety and side effects
In a 2020 mouse study of triple-negative breast cancer, humanin protected cancer cells and promoted tumor growth while weakening chemotherapy. That does not prove it causes cancer in people, but anyone with cancer or a history of cancer should not experiment with it. Human side-effect rates and long-term safety are unknown.
Regulatory status
Not approved by the FDA for any use.
Mixing and dosing reference
Reference information only. Read before using this section.
Humanin (10 mg Vial) Dosage Protocol
- Vial
- 10 mg Humanin
- Add diluent
- 3 mL
- Concentration
- 3.33 mg/mL
- 1 unit (U-100)
- 33.33 mcg in 0.01 mL
- Route
- Subcutaneous
Community-Reported Use Calculations
| Research Period | Amount per Administration | U-100 Units (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 1 mg | 30 units (0.30 mL) |
| 8 weeks | 2 mg | 60 units (0.60 mL) |
| 8 weeks | 3 mg | 90 units (0.90 mL) |
How to mix
- Clean the vial stopper and diluent stopper with alcohol; allow both to dry.
- Draw exactly 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water with a new sterile syringe, then inject it slowly down the inside wall of the vial.
- Gently swirl or roll until dissolved. Do not shake.
- Label the vial with the compound, concentration, and reconstitution date. Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F) and protect from light.
Protocol source: PeptideDosages.com
Common questions
Is humanin the same as MOTS-c?
No. Both are mitochondrial-derived peptides, but they are different molecules with separate research.
Can a natural peptide still carry risks?
Yes. Having a normal role in the body does not make extra amounts automatically safe.
Do higher humanin levels mean a longer life?
Higher levels were seen in some long-lived families, but that does not show that giving humanin extends life.
Related in Healthy Aging
Sources and further reading (6)
- Yen K, et al. The mitochondrial derived peptide humanin is a regulator of lifespan and healthspan. Aging, 2020.
- Hashimoto Y, et al. A rescue factor abolishing neuronal cell death by Alzheimer's genes and amyloid-beta. PNAS, 2001.
- Guo B, et al. Humanin suppresses apoptosis by interfering with Bax activation. Nature, 2003.
- Muzumdar RH, et al. Humanin: a novel central regulator of peripheral insulin action. PLOS One, 2009.
- Humanin promotes tumor progression in experimental triple negative breast cancer. Sci Rep, 2020.
- Source summary: PeptideDosages.com research overview (rewritten for NVO).