Humanin

Humanin is a small peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome. It consists of 24 amino acids and was first discovered in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative conditions. Its sequence is highly conserved across species, suggesting an important biological role.

Humanin is reported to have protective effects on cells, particularly in the brain, by reducing stress-induced apoptosis. Research suggests it may support cognitive function, improve insulin sensitivity, and protect against age-related diseases. These benefits indicate Humanin plays a role in cellular resilience and metabolic regulation.

The peptide Humanin appears to offer several biologically meaningful benefits. In animal and cellular studies it has shown neuroprotective effects, for example preventing cognitive decline in aged mice and reducing mitochondrial reactive‑oxygen‑species production in cells exposed to amyloid‑beta toxicity ¹. It is also tied to improvements in metabolic health: in middle‑aged mice treated with a Humanin analogue there were better insulin sensitivity, reduced visceral fat, and lower inflammatory markers ². Finally, studies in worms and mice suggest Humanin over‑expression is associated with increased healthspan and in some cases lifespan, hinting at a broader role in aging biology ³.

Beyond the brain and metabolism, Humanin has been shown to protect cells from various stressors including oxidative stress, hypoxia, and serum deprivation. It also appears to interact with signaling pathways linked to insulin/IGF and inflammation, offering systemic resilience rather than a single‑organ effect. Taken together, these findings suggest Humanin serves as a multifunctional protective modulator supporting brain function, metabolic regulation, and stress resilience ^{4, 5}.

The peptide Humanin (HN) has been associated with some potential adverse effects in pre‑clinical studies. In an animal experiment, HN was found to promote tumor progression in a model of triple‑negative breast cancer; administration of HN reduced apoptosis in tumor cells, impaired chemotherapy efficacy, and accelerated tumor growth and metastasis. This suggests a possible risk of pro‑tumoral activity in certain contexts, especially where cancer is present. Another limitation is that human clinical safety data are lacking; one review describes HN as “endogenous and safe in physiological contexts” but notes that its effects can be “context dependent” and that no therapeutic human dosages have been established ^{5, 6}.

Humanin is a 24‑amino‑acid peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA (MT‑RNR2) that both resides in cells and is secreted into circulation. Intracellularly it binds pro‑apoptotic proteins such as BAX and tBID, blocking mitochondrial outer‑membrane permeabilization and thus inhibiting caspase activation and apoptosis. Extracellularly it engages cell‑surface receptor complexes (for example the gp130/WSX‑1/CNTFRα complex) to activate downstream signalling pathways including PI3K/AKT, ERK1/2 and STAT3, which promote cell survival, enhance mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress in animal and cell models ^{7, 8, 9}.

Humanin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for therapeutic (human) use. It is described in available only for “research use only” (RUO), not for human consumption or injection. In sports, Humanin is not specifically prohibited because it's not currently on the prohibited list, and there are no widespread detection methods for it. Unlike banned substances like recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH), Humanin is not an anabolic agent and is not known to directly enhance performance; its role is to protect cells from damage. However, the safety of using Humanin is not established for human consumption, and it is illegal to sell as a dietary supplement.