Immune Peptides

Alpha-MSH is the parent peptide behind the melanocortin anti-inflammatory pathway, backed by 6,500+ published studies. Two FDA-approved drugs target the same receptor family. Native alpha-MSH's 20-minute half-life limits practical use; most users choose KPV, its active C-terminal fragment, for anti-inflammatory applications instead.

Thymosin Alpha 1 is an immune-modulating peptide approved in 35+ countries for hepatitis B and studied in 11,000+ patients. It primes T-cell and NK cell function without stimulant-like effects. FDA compounding restrictions disrupted US access. Research peptide status in the US.

KPV is a three-amino-acid fragment of alpha-MSH that suppresses NF-kB in inflamed gut tissue. It enters cells via the PepT1 transporter, preferentially targeting damaged intestinal epithelium. No human trials exist, but consistent community reports point to reduced bloating and colitis symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks.

Substance P activates NK1R to mobilize bone marrow stem cells and stimulate wound repair in animal models (Kim et al., Nature Medicine, PMID 19270709). A tissue half-life of 1 to 2 minutes and zero human wound healing trials limit it to preclinical research settings.

Bradykinin is the body's own 9-amino-acid vasodilator, destroyed by ACE in under 30 seconds. Used exclusively in controlled research settings for endothelial function testing. The ultra-short half-life and severe hypotensive effects make self-administration impractical and highly dangerous for any individual.

VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) is the final step in the Shoemaker CIRS protocol, used intranasally at 200 to 400 mcg per day. Community reports from thousands of patients describe brain fog resolution and biomarker normalization. Formal trials remain limited to Shoemaker's own publications.

Defensin HNP-1 is one of the most studied antimicrobial peptides in immunology, with broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. No human clinical trials exist. All dosing is extrapolated from lab concentrations and animal models. A research-grade compound priced at $250+ per 0.1 mg.

Thymulin is a zinc-dependent nonapeptide thymic hormone with strong animal data for T-cell maturation and NF-kB-mediated anti-inflammatory effects. Only one human trial exists (Bordigoni 1982). Research compound used in short intensive courses with mandatory zinc co-supplementation to restore immune function.

Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) is the only FDA-approved HIV fusion inhibitor, a 36-amino-acid peptide that blocks viral entry at the gp41 level. TORO trial data showed strong viral suppression, but 98% injection site reaction rates and twice-daily dosing led to its US discontinuation in February 2025.

LL-37 is the body's only cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, backed by three human wound healing trials. It breaks down biofilms that antibiotics can't touch. All clinical data is topical; subcutaneous injection remains community-driven. Research peptide, not FDA approved at any concentration.

Eptifibatide (Integrilin) is an FDA-approved GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor given by IV during heart attacks and coronary stenting. Backed by the PURSUIT (n=10,948) and ESPRIT trials, it blocks platelet aggregation within minutes. Hospital use only, with platelet recovery in 4 to 8 hours.

Bivalirudin (Angiomax) is an FDA-approved direct thrombin inhibitor used during coronary stent procedures. The HORIZONS-AMI trial showed 41% lower major bleeding versus heparin-based regimens. Its 25-minute half-life allows rapid offset, and it eliminates the risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia entirely. Hospital-only IV administration.

Lactoferricin B is bovine lactoferrin's antimicrobial fragment with 297 PubMed papers and zero human trials. Preclinical data shows broad-spectrum membrane-disrupting activity against bacteria, fungi, and cancer cell lines. All dosing is speculative. This is a research compound with a real scientific foundation but no clinical translation yet.

PNC-27 kills cancer cells by forming 34 nm membrane pores after binding surface HDM-2. Active against breast, pancreatic, leukemia, and ovarian lines in preclinical models. Zero human trials exist. FDA issued a 2017 contamination warning. Research-only compound with a safety grade of D.

Romiplostim (Nplate) is an FDA-approved peptibody for immune thrombocytopenia. The Lancet 2008 RCT confirmed a 79% platelet response rate. Weekly subcutaneous dosing at 1 to 10 mcg/kg. Long-term registry data spans five years of active use without new safety signals emerging.

Icatibant (Firazyr) blocks bradykinin B2 receptors during acute hereditary angioedema attacks. FDA-approved since 2011, it delivers symptom relief within 2 hours from a pre-filled syringe. No reconstitution. No IV needed. Retail cost per syringe sits above $11,000 in the US.

ACTH cosyntropin is the gold-standard diagnostic agent for adrenal insufficiency, with a single 250 mcg dose that triggers a measurable cortisol response within 30 minutes. FDA-approved since the 1960s, it has no community peptide use and remains strictly a clinical tool.

Bonomarlot is a Khavinson bone marrow bioregulator (A-20) taken as an oral capsule in pulsed 10 to 30-day courses. No clinical trials exist for this product specifically. Supporting science comes from related short peptide gene expression studies in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Thymalin is a bovine thymic peptide extract with 40+ years of clinical use in Russia. Short 10-day courses restore T-cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios. One group's data shows striking mortality reduction, but no independent replication exists yet in the Western literature.

Crystagen is a synthetic thymus tripeptide from the Khavinson bioregulator program. Oral capsules (20 mg/day for 30 days) normalized immune markers in 82% of elderly patients in one Russian clinical observation. All published data comes from a single research group. No Western trials exist.

Vladonix is an oral thymus bioregulator containing peptide complex A-6. One clinical study (n=42) reported T-cell normalization in 78% of subjects. Evidence is limited to a single Russian research group, but the oral format makes it one of the most accessible thymic peptides available.