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Best Peptides for Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Evidence Comparison
The table below compares the three peptide classes with the strongest preclinical and clinical evidence for mitochondrial restoration. Each acts through a distinct mechanism, making combination protocols more effective than monotherapy for systemic mitochondri
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- The table below compares the three peptide classes with the strongest preclinical and clinical evidence for mitochondrial restoration. Each acts through a distinct mechanism, making combination protocols more effective than monotherapy for systemic mitochondrial dysfunction.
- SS-31 (Elamipretide)
- Cardiolipin stabilisation; prevents cristae collapse and proton leak
- Phase 2 trial in primary mitochondrial myopathy: 6-minute walk distance increased 29.8 metres vs placebo after 28 weeks (Lancet, 2020)
- 40 mg subcutaneous daily in human trials; 3–5 mg/kg in rodent models
- Most robust human data; directly targets the structural defect underlying energy loss
- MOTS-c
- AMPK activation; triggers mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic remodelling
- Aged mice showed 47% increase in skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and 31% improvement in endurance (Nature Medicine, 2021)
- 5–15 mg subcutaneous 2–3× weekly in research settings; 0.5 mg/kg effective in rodents
- Strong preclinical evidence; human trials ongoing but dosing not yet standardised
- Humanin (HNG analogue)
- BAX inhibition; blocks apoptotic signalling and cytochrome c release
- In vitro studies show 60–80% reduction in neuronal cell death under oxidative stress; limited human data
- 1–4 mg subcutaneous daily in early research protocols
- Promising for acute mitochondrial stress but fewer trials than SS-31