Top 85 – Reference Guide Organized by Primary Physiologic Effect
Disclaimer
This article is educational and informational only . Many peptides discussed are experimental, not FDA-approved , or approved only for narrow indications. Human dosing, long‑term safety, compounding standards, and interaction profiles are often incomplete. Any clinical or personal use should occur only under qualified medical supervision and within applicable regulatory frameworks.
Introduction
Over the last two decades, therapeutic peptides have moved from niche research compounds into mainstream medicine, while hundreds of experimental peptides circulate in research, regenerative, longevity, and performance-enhancement communities. Unlike small‑molecule drugs, peptides often act with high receptor specificity , shorter half‑lives, and multi‑system effects that blur traditional pharmacologic categories.
For clinicians, compound pharmacists, and advanced researchers, the challenge is not simply understanding what each peptide does, but how to organize them conceptually : by neurological effects, metabolic impact, endocrine signaling, immune modulation, or regenerative capacity.
This article organizes 85 commonly referenced peptides by their primary physiologic effect , while acknowledging secondary actions. Each category includes pharmacologic rationale, clinical considerations, safety cautions, and interaction risks. A quick reference table is included for rapid comparison.
🧬 Peptides Quick Reference Table
1) Brain / Neurological (Neuropeptides & Neurotrophic)
Category Peptide / Protein Class Core Effect Status Brain / Neurological Semax Synthetic peptide Cognitive modulation, neuroprotection Regional / Research Brain / Neurological Selank Synthetic peptide Anxiolytic, cognition Research Brain / Neurological Cerebrolysin Peptide mixture Neurotrophic support Regional use Brain / Neurological Neuropeptide Y Endogenous neuropeptide Stress, appetite regulation Experimental Brain / Neurological Substance P Endogenous neuropeptide Pain signaling, neuroinflammation Approved / Experimental Brain / Neurological PACAP Endogenous neuropeptide Neuroprotection Experimental Brain / Neurological DSIP Endogenous peptide Sleep regulation Experimental Brain / Neurological NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) Neurotrophin protein Neuronal growth / survival Experimental Brain / Neurological BDNF mimetics Neurotrophin-related molecules Synaptic plasticity Preclinical / Experimental Brain / Neurological Oxytocin Endogenous neuropeptide hormone Social bonding, stress regulation FDA-approved (obstetric uses) NCBI
2) Metabolic / Weight & Glucose Regulation
Category Peptide / Protein Classification Core Effect Status Metabolic / Weight Tirzepatide GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist (peptide-based) Weight loss, glycemic control FDA-approved Metabolic / Weight Semaglutide GLP-1 analog Weight loss, glycemic control FDA-approved Metabolic / Weight Liraglutide GLP-1 analog Glycemic control, weight FDA-approved Metabolic / Weight Exenatide GLP-1 analog Glycemic control FDA-approved Metabolic / Weight Pramlintide Amylin analog Satiety, glycemic control FDA-approved Metabolic / Weight MOTS-C Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) Metabolic regulation, mitochondria Experimental / Preclinical. PMC Metabolic / Weight Adropin Endogenous peptide hormone Energy balance, metabolic signals Experimental Metabolic / Weight Oxyntomodulin Endogenous peptide Appetite suppression Experimental Metabolic / Weight GIP analogs Incretin peptides Insulin modulation Experimental Metabolic / Weight GLP-2 Endogenous peptide Intestinal growth / function Approved (specific indications)
3) GH / Anabolic / Muscle Axis
Category Peptide / Protein Class Core Effect Status GH Axis Growth Hormone (GH) Endogenous peptide hormone Growth, metabolism FDA-approved GH Axis GHRH Endogenous releasing hormone Stimulates GH release Approved / Clinical GH Axis Sermorelin GHRH analog GH stimulation Approved (clinical/research uses) GH Axis Tesamorelin GHRH analog Visceral fat reduction (HIV lipodystrophy) FDA-approved GH Axis CJC-1295 GHRH analog (modified) GH release (research) Research GH Axis Ipamorelin Ghrelin receptor agonist GH release Research GH Axis GHRP-2 Ghrelin analog GH release Research GH Axis IGF-1 Endogenous growth factor protein Muscle growth / anabolic effects FDA-approved (specific uses) GH Axis IGF-1 LR3 Modified IGF-1 analog Prolonged IGF activity Experimental GH Axis Mechano Growth Factor (MGF) IGF-1 splice variant Muscle repair signaling Experimental
4) Regenerative / Tissue Repair
Category Peptide / Protein Class Core Effect Status Regenerative BPC-157 Synthetic gastric pentadecapeptide Cytoprotection, tissue repair (animal models) Experimental Regenerative Thymosin Beta-4 Endogenous actin-binding peptide Cell migration, wound healing Experimental Regenerative TB-500 Synthetic TB-4 fragment Healing & recovery (research) Experimental Regenerative GHK-Cu Endogenous copper tripeptide complex Skin repair, remodeling (cosmetic) Cosmetic / Experimental Regenerative VEGF-A Endogenous growth factor protein Angiogenesis (pathway) Approved (pathway / clinical targets) Regenerative PDGF Platelet-derived growth factor protein family Wound healing, angiogenesis FDA-approved (selected uses) Regenerative FGF family Fibroblast growth factors Tissue repair, angiogenesis Approved / Experimental Regenerative EGF Epidermal growth factor protein Skin renewal, epithelial repair Approved / Clinical products Regenerative CTGF Connective tissue growth factor (protein) Matrix & connective tissue regulation Experimental Regenerative TGF-β Transforming growth factor-beta (cytokine) Fibrosis / repair regulation Approved (clinical relevance)
5) Immune / Inflammatory Regulation (Non-antimicrobial)
Category Peptide / Protein Class Core Effect Status Immune Thymosin Alpha-1 Endogenous thymic peptide T-cell modulation, immune regulation Approved (outside US / regional) Immune Thymopentin Thymic peptide fragment T-cell signaling Regional / Experimental Immune Interleukins (family) Cytokine proteins Immune signaling Approved (various therapeutic roles) Immune Alpha-MSH Endogenous neuropeptide Anti-inflammatory, melanocortin signaling Experimental Immune VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) Neuropeptide Immune modulation Experimental Immune Beta-endorphin Endogenous opioid peptide Immune modulation, analgesia Approved / Clinical context Immune Tuftsin Endogenous tetrapeptide Phagocytosis stimulation Experimental Immune IMD peptides (intermedin/adrenomedullin family) Peptide family Inflammation & vascular balance Experimental Immune CGRP Calcitonin gene–related peptide Neuro-immune signaling, vasodilation Approved (clinical relevance) Immune Substance P Endogenous neuropeptide Inflammatory signaling Approved / Experimental
6) Cardiovascular / Vascular
Category Peptide / Protein Class Core Effect Status Cardiovascular Angiotensin II Endogenous peptide hormone Blood pressure regulation, vasoconstriction Approved (clinical relevance) Cardiovascular Angiotensin-(1-7) Endogenous peptide Vasodilation, counter-regulatory RAS axis Experimental Cardiovascular BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) Cardiac peptide Natriuresis, heart failure biomarker/therapy FDA-approved uses Cardiovascular ANP (Atrial natriuretic peptide) Cardiac peptide BP & volume regulation Approved / Clinical relevance Cardiovascular Apelin Endogenous peptide Cardiac contractility, vascular effects Experimental Cardiovascular Bradykinin Endogenous peptide Vasodilation, permeability Clinical relevance Cardiovascular Vasopressin Endogenous peptide hormone Water balance, BP regulation FDA-approved Cardiovascular CGRP Neuropeptide Vasodilation, migraine relevance Approved (therapeutic targets) Cardiovascular Endothelin Peptide hormone family Vasoconstriction Clinical relevance Cardiovascular Nesiritide BNP analog Heart failure therapy (IV) FDA-approved (specific use)
7) Reproductive / Fertility
Category Peptide / Protein Class Core Effect Status Reproductive GnRH (Gonadorelin) Endogenous releasing hormone LH/FSH release FDA-approved Reproductive Kisspeptin Endogenous neuropeptide Fertility signaling, GnRH regulation Experimental Reproductive hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) Glycoprotein hormone Ovulation / testosterone stimulation FDA-approved Reproductive FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) Glycoprotein hormone Follicle growth FDA-approved Reproductive LH (luteinizing hormone) Glycoprotein hormone Ovulation, androgen production FDA-approved Reproductive Relaxin Endogenous peptide hormone Cervical / uterine remodeling Experimental Reproductive Activin TGF-β family member Reproductive signaling Experimental Reproductive Inhibin Glycoprotein hormone FSH suppression Experimental Reproductive GnRH analogs Synthetic peptide analogs Hormonal control (agonist/antagonist) Approved Reproductive Oxytocin Endogenous peptide hormone Labor induction, uterine contraction FDA-approved (listed last) FDA Access Data
8) Sexual Function / Melanocortin
Category Peptide / Protein Class Core Effect Status Sexual Function PT-141 (Bremelanotide) Melanocortin receptor agonist (peptide drug) Female sexual interest/arousal disorder FDA-approved Sexual Function Alpha-MSH Endogenous melanocortin peptide Sexual signaling / pigmentation Experimental Sexual Function Melanotan I Alpha-MSH analog Pigmentation (research) Experimental Sexual Function Melanotan II Alpha-MSH analog Pigmentation / sexual effects Experimental Sexual Function Vasopressin Neuropeptide hormone Pair bonding, social behavior Approved / Clinical relevance Sexual Function Endorphins Endogenous opioid peptides Pleasure, reward Clinical relevance Sexual Function Enkephalins Endogenous opioid peptides Reward signaling Experimental Sexual Function Dopamine-related peptides Regulatory peptides Motivation / sexual desire Experimental Sexual Function Kisspeptin Endogenous neuropeptide Libido / fertility signaling Experimental Sexual Function Oxytocin Endogenous neuropeptide hormone Sexual bonding, social effects FDA-approved (listed last) NCBI
9) Anti-Aging / Longevity (Experimental Biology)
Category Peptide / Protein Class Core Effect Status Anti-Aging Epitalon Synthetic tetrapeptide Telomerase modulation (experimental) Experimental Anti-Aging FOXO4-DRI Synthetic peptide Senescent cell targeting (preclinical) Preclinical Anti-Aging Klotho (protein/peptides) Endogenous longevity protein Aging pathway modulation Experimental Anti-Aging Humanin Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) Cytoprotection, mitochondrial effects Experimental. PMC Anti-Aging MOTS-C Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) Metabolic & mitochondrial regulation Experimental. PMC Anti-Aging GDF-11 TGF-β family protein Tissue remodeling / rejuvenation (controversial) Experimental Anti-Aging Sirtuin-related peptides Regulatory peptides Aging pathways (SIRT related) Experimental Anti-Aging NAD-related peptides Metabolic regulators Energy metabolism Experimental Anti-Aging Thymalin Thymic peptide Immune aging support Experimental Anti-Aging Pinealon Synthetic peptide Neuroprotective / experimental Experimental
10) Mitochondrial / Mitochondria-Targeting
Category Peptide / Compound Class Core Effect Status Mitochondrial Elamipretide (SS-31; Forzinity) Synthetic mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide Interacts with cardiolipin; stabilizes inner mitochondrial membrane, improves respiration & reduces oxidative stress FDA-approved (accelerated) for Barth syndrome; substantial preclinical/clinical literature. PMC+1 Mitochondrial Humanin Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) Cytoprotection; mitochondrial signaling Experimental. PMC Mitochondrial MOTS-C Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) Metabolic regulation, exercise-induced mitochondrial signals Experimental. PMC Mitochondrial SS-20 (analogs) Szeto-Schiller class peptides Mitochondrial ROS modulation & respiration (preclinical) Experimental Mitochondrial SHLPs (small humanin-like peptides) Mitochondrial-derived peptides family Cytoprotection / metabolic effects Experimental
Conclusion
Peptide therapeutics represent one of the most promising — and misunderstood — frontiers in modern pharmacology. Their specificity, complexity, and systemic reach require careful categorization and cautious interpretation.
For compound pharmacists and clinicians, organizing peptides by primary physiologic effect is essential for understanding interactions, risks, and appropriate clinical boundaries. As regulatory frameworks evolve and human data accumulates, some of these peptides may enter mainstream medicine — while others may remain strictly experimental. Until then, informed caution and rigorous scientific scrutiny remain paramount.
