# Humanin

> Evidence tier C — Animal data · Longevity & Immune · reviewed 2026-11-08
> Source page: https://peptidemeta.com/p/humanin/

Also known as: HN, MT-RNR2-encoded peptide

## Quick answers

**What is Humanin?**

A mitochondrial-derived peptide that protects cells from apoptosis and oxidative stress.

**How strong is the evidence for Humanin?**

Tier C (animal data) on the peptidemeta evidence scale. Evidence comes from cell and animal (mostly rodent) studies. Human data only link circulating levels to age and disease; no interventional human trials have been published.

**Is Humanin FDA-approved?**

No. Humanin is not approved by the FDA for any use.

**Is Humanin banned in sport?**

Yes. Humanin is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency under S0 (non-approved substances).

**How does Humanin work?**

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid peptide encoded in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. It inhibits apoptosis by binding to Bax and preventing its translocation to mitochondria, and also interacts with IGFBP-3 to modulate apoptotic signaling.

**What is known about the safety of Humanin?**

Endogenous mitochondrial-derived peptide with circulating levels correlated to longevity in humans. No formal human interventional safety data.

## Key facts

- **Evidence tier:** C (Animal data)
- **FDA:** not approved
- **WADA:** prohibited (S0)
- **Peptide:** yes
- **Sequence:** MAPRGFSCLLLLTSEIDLPVKRRA (24 residues)
- **Formula:** C119H204N34O32S2
- **Molecular weight:** 2687.2 g/mol
- **Discovered:** 2001 — Identified by Hashimoto et al. from a cDNA library of an Alzheimer’s-disease brain region as a factor that protects neurons from death.
- **Routes studied:** Subcutaneous, Intramuscular

## Overview

A mitochondrial-derived peptide that protects cells from apoptosis and oxidative stress. It is associated with longevity in centenarian studies and is explored for Alzheimer neuroprotection.

## Mechanism

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid peptide encoded in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. It inhibits apoptosis by binding to Bax and preventing its translocation to mitochondria, and also interacts with IGFBP-3 to modulate apoptotic signaling. It binds the CNTFR/WSX-1/gp130 tripartite receptor to activate STAT3 survival pathways.

## Effects reported in research

_Reported outcomes, not promises; see the evidence tier._

- Cytoprotection against oxidative stress
- Neuroprotective anti-apoptotic signaling
- Improved mitochondrial function
- Associated with healthy aging biomarkers

## Safety & unknowns

Endogenous mitochondrial-derived peptide with circulating levels correlated to longevity in humans. No formal human interventional safety data. Preclinical studies show good tolerability. Not FDA-approved. Theoretical concerns about anti-apoptotic mechanisms and cancer.

## Studies

- Lee C, Yen K, Cohen P. (2013). *Humanin: a harbinger of mitochondrial-derived peptides?*. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. Review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23402768/
  Review of humanin, a mitochondrially encoded peptide with cytoprotective actions in many stress and disease models, as the first of a class of mitochondrial-derived peptides.
- Hashimoto Y, Niikura T, Tajima H, et al. (2001). *A rescue factor abolishing neuronal cell death by a wide spectrum of familial Alzheimer's disease genes and Abeta*. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. Preclinical. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11371646/
  Discovery paper identifying humanin from an Alzheimer brain cDNA library as a peptide that protected cultured neurons against death caused by familial Alzheimer disease genes and amyloid-beta.

## Status sources

- [Hashimoto et al. 2001 — discovery of humanin (PNAS)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11371646/)
- [UniProt Q8IVG9 — Humanin](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/Q8IVG9/entry)
- [PubChem CID 16131438 (humanin)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/16131438)
- [WADA 2026 Prohibited List — S0 non-approved substances](https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2026list_en_final_clean_september_2025.pdf)

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Educational reference only — not medical advice. No dosing information is published. Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness or safety.