Humanin
Also referred to as: HN, MT-RNR2 peptide
A small peptide made by the cell's power plants (mitochondria), studied for protecting cells and in aging research. A natural pair to MOTS-c.
In plain terms: Humanin is a tiny peptide that comes from mitochondria — the "power plants" inside your cells. It was discovered while studying Alzheimer's and is researched for protecting cells and for aging. Like MOTS-c, it is a mitochondria-made peptide, and most of its research is early-stage.
- Name
- Humanin
- Aliases
- HN, MT-RNR2 peptide
- Classification
- Mitochondrial-derived peptide
- Areas studied
- Cell protection, Aging research, Brain (studied)
What it is
Humanin is a short peptide whose instructions are stored inside mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in your cells. It was the first "mitochondria-made" peptide discovered, found in 2001 during Alzheimer's research, and MOTS-c was later found in the same family.
It is studied for protecting cells from stress and death, and in aging research. Most of the work is in cells and animals, with some human observational studies.
Mechanism
In lab studies, Humanin appears to protect cells from dying under stress — partly by blocking parts of the cell's self-destruct (apoptosis) machinery and by switching on survival signals. It has also been linked to the body's IGF-1 system, which ties it to metabolism and aging research.
These effects are mostly characterized in cells and animals.
Areas studied & investigated
The categories below summarize where Humanin appears in the research literature. They describe what the compound is studied for and investigated in — not approved uses, and not guidance for any kind of use.
Cell protection
Studied for shielding cells from stress and programmed cell death in lab models.
Aging research
Linked to lifespan in animal studies; higher levels seen in some long-lived people.
Brain (studied)
Originally found in Alzheimer's research, studied for protecting nerve cells.
Mitochondrial peptides
The first mitochondria-made peptide found; a natural pair to MOTS-c.
Research history
Humanin was discovered in 2001 in research on why some at-risk brains resist Alzheimer's. It became the founding member of the mitochondrial-derived peptide family, which later grew to include MOTS-c.
State of the literature
Humanin is an active area of basic cell-protection and aging research, mostly preclinical with some human observational data. It is not an approved drug.
What to keep in mind
Humanin is scientifically fascinating, but "protects cells" and "linked to longevity" in lab and observational studies are early signals, not proof of a benefit you can buy. Observational findings (like higher levels in long-lived people) show association, not cause. Read the citations and treat the anti-aging framing as an open question, not a settled result.
Research tools
Evaluating a Humanin batch for laboratory research? These free, research-use-only calculators help you work the numbers and read the paperwork: the reconstitution calculator solves vial concentration and draw volume, and the COA reader walks a certificate line by line. For how much and how often Humanin is commonly used, see the dosing guides.
Batch-tested with published COAs
See what a published COA looks like
Midwest Compounds does not currently list Humanin. Every compound it does sell is tested by an independent lab, with a batch-linked certificate of analysis you can check before you buy.
Citations
The summary above is drawn from published, peer-reviewed sources. Links open the abstract on PubMed, or the free full text on PubMed Central (PMC) where marked.
- Hashimoto Y, et al. 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, 2001. Free full text PMC
- Yen K, et al. The mitochondrial derived peptide humanin is a regulator of lifespan and healthspan. Aging, 2020. Free full text PMC