Anti-Aging & Longevity Peptides
Peptides studied for their effects on telomere maintenance, mitochondrial function, and cellular aging. Includes telomerase activators and mitochondrial-derived peptides.
Anti-aging peptide research represents one of the most actively investigated areas in gerontology. A 2026 review in Frontiers in Aging (DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2026.1790247) catalogues the current state of therapeutic peptides in age-related disease.
Evidence Note: Most anti-aging peptides are preclinical. SS-31/Elamipretide has Phase 2-3 data. Claims about lifespan extension are based on animal models only.
Epithalon (Epitalon)
Evidence Tier: Preclinical — Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide based on epithalamin, a polypeptide extract from the pineal gland. Studied for telomerase activation and lifespan extension in animal models.
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA Type-c)
Evidence Tier: Preclinical — MOTS-c is a 16-amino acid mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. It activates AMPK and has been called an 'exercise mimetic.'
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
Evidence Tier: Phase 2-3 Clinical Trials — SS-31 (Elamipretide/Bendavia) is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It has the most advanced clinical pipeline of any anti-aging peptide.