Epitalon + Humanin + MOTS-c Longevity Stack — Research Protocol
Three-peptide longevity research stack targeting telomerase activation, mitochondrial unfolded-protein response and metabolic ageing. Full dosing protocol and UK regulatory note.
This is the canonical three-peptide longevity research stack — each compound targets a distinct, well-characterised mechanism of cellular ageing. The combination has emerged from independent research lines: Soviet-era pineal peptide work (Epitalon), Japanese mitochondrial-peptide discovery (Humanin), and Lee lab MOTS-c characterisation (UC Davis / USC).
Mechanism of action — each peptide
Epitalon (Epithalon) — mechanism of action
A synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) modelled on epithalamin, a pineal-gland extract studied extensively in Soviet and Russian gerontology research. In animal models:
- Activates telomerase in somatic cells, lengthening telomeres in serially-passaged human fibroblasts (Khavinson et al.).
- Normalises circadian melatonin secretion in aged animals — the canonical Epitalon finding.
- Modulates pineal gene expression related to neuroendocrine ageing.
- Increases mean and maximum lifespan in repeated rodent cohort studies (10–25% extension reported).
Humanin — mechanism of action
A 24-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. In published research:
- Suppresses apoptosis induced by Aβ-amyloid (originally discovered in Alzheimer's pathology studies).
- Activates STAT3 signalling via the FPRL1 / FPR3 receptor.
- Reduces oxidative stress markers in cardiac and pancreatic tissue.
- Declines with age — plasma levels correlate inversely with cellular senescence markers.
MOTS-c — mechanism of action
A 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within mtDNA. In published animal-model research:
- Activates AMPK — the master metabolic switch — independently of insulin or AICAR.
- Improves glucose tolerance in high-fat-diet rodent models without changing food intake.
- Translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress, modulating nuclear gene expression.
- Mimics exercise-induced metabolic adaptation at the gene-expression level.
Full research protocol — dosing table
| Peptide | Dose | Frequency | Timing | Cycle length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epitalon | 5–10 mg | Daily SC | Evening pre-melatonin | 10–20 days |
| Humanin | 5–10 mg | Every other day SC | Morning | 4 weeks |
| MOTS-c | 5–10 mg | 3x weekly SC | Pre-fasted state | 4 weeks |
Weekly research timeline
| Peptide | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epitalon | 10 mg | 10 mg | 10 mg (taper) | — |
| Humanin | 10 mg EOD | 10 mg EOD | 10 mg EOD | 10 mg EOD |
| MOTS-c | 10 mg 3x | 10 mg 3x | 10 mg 3x | 10 mg 3x |
Routes: SC = subcutaneous · IM = intramuscular · IN = intranasal · Oral · Topical.
Safety profile & regulatory note
Where to source these research peptides
Each peptide in this stack has a dedicated research monograph on PeptideAuthority.co.uk and a research-grade SKU at PeptideBarn.co.uk. All compounds are sold strictly for in vitro research.
Frequently asked research questions
Related longevity & anti-aging stacks
Epithalon + Thymalin Anti-Aging Research Stack
Khavinson-protocol stack — pineal (Epithalon) + thymic (Thymalin) bioregulators for longevity and immune-senescence research.
SS-31 + Humanin Mitochondrial Research Stack
Mitochondrial-targeted research stack — SS-31 (Elamipretide) and Humanin. Cardiolipin stabilisation and mitochondrial unfolded protein response (MUPR).