Research Peptide Comparison Guide

IMPORTANT: All compounds listed on this page are sold strictly for research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.

This reference guide provides a structured comparison of research peptides and compounds organized by their primary research categories. Each entry includes molecular targets, mechanisms of action, key research areas, approximate molecular weights, and notable properties relevant to laboratory work.

GLP-1 / Metabolic Research

Incretin-based peptides and metabolic research compounds targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptor pathways.

Compound	Molecular Target / Mechanism	Key Research Areas	Mol. Weight	Notable Properties
Semaglutide	GLP-1 receptor agonist. Acylated GLP-1 analog with C-18 fatty diacid chain.	Metabolic signaling, glycemic regulation, body composition, cardiovascular risk factor modeling	~4,114 Da	Long half-life (~7 days) due to albumin binding. 94% homology to native GLP-1.
Tirzepatide	Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. 39-amino acid peptide.	Dual incretin pathway signaling, metabolic syndrome modeling	~4,810 Da	First-in-class dual agonist. Biased agonism at GLP-1R.
Retatrutide	Triple agonist at GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors.	Multi-receptor metabolic signaling, energy expenditure, hepatic lipid metabolism	~4,828 Da	First triple agonist. Glucagon receptor activation engages hepatic energy expenditure.
Cagrilintide	Long-acting amylin receptor agonist.	Amylin signaling, satiety pathway modeling	~3,960 Da	Targets area postrema amylin receptors. Studied in combination with semaglutide.
Survodutide	Dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist.	Hepatic lipid metabolism, steatosis models, energy expenditure	~4,200 Da	Glucagon component promotes hepatic lipid oxidation.
Mazdutide	Dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist with C-18 fatty acid modification.	Metabolic signaling, glucagon pathway research	~4,200 Da	Structurally related to oxyntomodulin.
GLP-1 (7-36)	Native incretin hormone. Binds GLP-1R, activating cAMP/PKA.	Incretin physiology baseline, receptor binding assays	~3,298 Da	Very short half-life (~2 min). Useful as reference standard.
AOD-9604	Modified hGH fragment (176-191). Does not bind GH receptor.	Adipose tissue lipolysis, lipid metabolism, cartilage repair	~1,815 Da	Lacks growth-promoting activity of full-length GH.

Growth Hormone Secretagogue Research

Growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) and GHRH analogs acting on pituitary somatotrophs through distinct receptor mechanisms.

Compound	Molecular Target / Mechanism	Key Research Areas	Mol. Weight	Notable Properties
Ipamorelin	Selective GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor) agonist. Pentapeptide.	Pulsatile GH release, somatotroph signaling, bone density	~711 Da	High selectivity. No significant effect on ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin.
CJC-1295 (No DAC)	GHRH analog (Mod-GRF 1-29). Binds GHRH receptor.	GH axis stimulation, pulsatile release, synergy with GHRPs	~3,367 Da	Short half-life (~30 min). Preserves pulsatile GH release.
CJC-1295 DAC	GHRH analog with Drug Affinity Complex for albumin binding.	Sustained GH elevation, IGF-1 level research	~3,647 Da	Extended half-life (~8 days). Non-pulsatile GH elevation.
CJC-1295/Ipamorelin Blend	Combined GHRH analog + GHRP. Dual receptor activation.	Synergistic GH release modeling	~3,367 + ~711 Da	Exploits synergistic amplification of GH release.
GHRP-2	GHS-R1a agonist. Hexapeptide.	GH secretion, appetite signaling, cortisol co-release	~818 Da	Strongest GH-releasing hexapeptide. Also stimulates ACTH/cortisol.
GHRP-6	GHS-R1a agonist. Strong ghrelin-mimetic.	GH secretion, appetite and gastric motility	~873 Da	Pronounced appetite stimulation. First synthetic GHRP discovered.
Sermorelin	GHRH (1-29) analog. Shortest bioactive GHRH fragment.	GH axis stimulation, age-related GH decline	~3,358 Da	Full receptor binding activity. Short half-life (~10-20 min).
Tesamorelin	GHRH analog with trans-3-hexenoic acid modification.	GH axis, visceral adiposity models	~5,136 Da	Longer-acting than Sermorelin. Studied in visceral fat models.
HGH 191AA	Recombinant human growth hormone. 191-amino acid polypeptide. Activates JAK2/STAT5.	GH/IGF-1 axis, receptor binding assays	~22,124 Da	Identical to endogenous hGH. Requires cold-chain storage.

Tissue Repair Research

Peptides investigated for roles in tissue protection, wound healing, inflammatory modulation, and extracellular matrix remodeling.

Compound	Molecular Target / Mechanism	Key Research Areas	Mol. Weight	Notable Properties
BPC-157	Pentadecapeptide from gastric juice protein. VEGF upregulation, NO modulation, FAK-paxillin activation.	GI cytoprotection, tendon/ligament healing, angiogenesis, neuroprotection	~1,419 Da	Stable in gastric acid. 20+ years of rodent literature.
TB-500	Active fragment of Thymosin Beta-4. Sequesters G-actin, promotes cell migration.	Wound healing, cardiac repair, anti-inflammatory signaling	~1,751 Da	Upregulates in tissue injury. Crosses blood-brain barrier.
BPC-157 + TB-500 Blend	Combined gastric pentadecapeptide + thymosin fragment. Complementary pathways.	Synergistic tissue repair modeling	~1,419 + ~1,751 Da	Combines cytoprotective/angiogenic with actin-mediated migration.
KPV	C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH. NF-kB inhibition, PGE2 reduction.	IBD models, mucosal inflammation, antimicrobial signaling	~342 Da	Anti-inflammatory without melanocortin receptor binding.
GHK-Cu	Copper-binding tripeptide. Modulates growth factors, TGF-beta, collagen, MMPs.	Wound healing, collagen remodeling, gene expression reprogramming	~403 Da	Modulates ~4,000 genes. Dual role as copper delivery vehicle.
LL-37	37-aa cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide. Disrupts microbial membranes, modulates TLR signaling.	Antimicrobial research, innate immunity, biofilm disruption	~4,493 Da	Only human cathelicidin. Active against bacteria, fungi, enveloped viruses.

Melanocortin Research

Peptides targeting the melanocortin receptor system (MC1R-MC5R), regulating pigmentation, sexual function, inflammation, and energy homeostasis.

Compound	Molecular Target / Mechanism	Key Research Areas	Mol. Weight	Notable Properties
Melanotan 1	Linear alpha-MSH analog. Non-selective with high MC1R affinity.	MC1R signaling, eumelanin synthesis, photoprotection	~1,647 Da	More potent than native alpha-MSH. Primarily MC1R-driven.
Melanotan 2	Cyclic heptapeptide. Non-selective agonist at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R.	Melanocortin pharmacology, pigmentation, sexual function (MC4R)	~1,024 Da	Cyclic structure increases stability. Broad receptor profile.
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)	Cyclic heptapeptide. MC3R/MC4R agonist. Metabolite of MT-2.	MC4R-mediated sexual function, CNS melanocortin pathways	~1,025 Da	Acts centrally via MC4R. Minimal MC1R activity vs MT-2.

Neuropeptide Research

Peptides studied for effects on CNS function including cognitive performance, anxiolytic signaling, neuroprotection, and sleep architecture.

Compound	Molecular Target / Mechanism	Key Research Areas	Mol. Weight	Notable Properties
Selank	Synthetic tuftsin analog. Modulates BDNF, serotonin, dopamine. Inhibits enkephalinase.	Anxiolytic signaling, cognitive function, immune modulation	~751 Da	No sedation in animal models. Combines immunomodulatory + anxiolytic.
Semax	ACTH (4-10) analog. Activates BDNF/TrkB, modulates monoamine signaling.	Neuroprotection, cognitive enhancement, cerebrovascular research	~813 Da	Lacks adrenocorticotropic activity. Enhances BDNF in hippocampus.
DSIP	Nonapeptide. Modulates sleep-wake cycles and stress response.	Sleep architecture, stress-response, circadian rhythm	~849 Da	Crosses blood-brain barrier. Affects LH, cortisol, somatostatin.
Pinealon	Tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg). Khavinson bioregulator for pineal gland.	Pineal function, circadian regulation, neuroprotection	~390 Da	Ultra-short peptide with proposed gene-regulatory activity.
Cerebrolysin	Enzymatic mixture of neuropeptides from porcine brain. Contains neurotrophic factor fragments.	Neurotrophic signaling, neuroplasticity, neurodegenerative models	~10 kDa max	Standardized peptide preparation. 200+ published studies.

Longevity / Mitochondrial Research

Compounds studied in aging biology, mitochondrial function, telomere maintenance, cellular senescence, and immune reconstitution.

Compound	Molecular Target / Mechanism	Key Research Areas	Mol. Weight	Notable Properties
Epithalon	Tetrapeptide. Activates telomerase via hTERT upregulation.	Telomere biology, telomerase activation, melatonin production, aging	~390 Da	Increases telomerase activity in human somatic cells in vitro.
MOTS-C	Mitochondrial-derived peptide (16 aa). Activates AMPK, regulates folate-methionine metabolism.	Mitochondrial signaling, metabolic homeostasis, exercise mimetic	~2,174 Da	First mitochondrial peptide shown to regulate nuclear gene expression.
NAD+	Essential coenzyme for redox reactions, sirtuin activity, PARP DNA repair.	Cellular energetics, sirtuin pathways, DNA repair, metabolic aging	~663 Da	Not a peptide. Central to longevity research. Declines with age.
SS-31 (Elamipretide)	Tetrapeptide targeting cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membrane.	Mitochondrial dysfunction, heart failure, renal ischemia	~640 Da	Concentrates >1000-fold in mitochondria. Szeto-Schiller peptide.
FOXO4-DRI	D-retro-inverso peptide disrupting FOXO4-p53 interaction in senescent cells.	Cellular senescence, senolytic research, p53 pathway	~4,842 Da	First peptide-based senolytic. Selectively targets senescent cells.
Thymosin Alpha-1	28-aa peptide. Activates TLR2/TLR9, promotes dendritic cell maturation.	Immune reconstitution, vaccine adjuvant, T-cell differentiation	~3,108 Da	Approved in 35+ countries. Enhances innate and adaptive immunity.
Thymalin	Polypeptide complex from calf thymus. T-cell maturation, thymic restoration.	Thymic involution, immune aging, T-cell restoration	Variable	Multi-component thymic extract. Studied in longitudinal aging trials.

Reproductive Research

Peptides and glycoprotein hormones central to hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis research.

Compound	Molecular Target / Mechanism	Key Research Areas	Mol. Weight	Notable Properties
HCG	Glycoprotein hormone. Binds LH/CG receptor, activates cAMP/PKA.	Gonadal steroidogenesis, Leydig cell function, LH receptor signaling	~36,700 Da	Longer half-life than LH (~24-36 hrs vs ~20 min).
HMG	Purified preparation containing FSH and LH activity.	Folliculogenesis, spermatogenesis, dual gonadotropin signaling	~30-35 kDa	Contains both gonadotropin activities.
Gonadorelin	Synthetic GnRH decapeptide. Triggers LH and FSH release.	HPG axis function, pulsatile GnRH signaling	~1,182 Da	Identical to endogenous GnRH. Very short half-life (~2-4 min).
Kisspeptin-10	Decapeptide binding KISS1R (GPR54). Master upstream regulator of GnRH neurons.	GnRH neuron activation, puberty onset, reproductive neuroendocrinology	~1,302 Da	Most upstream known activator of reproductive axis.
Oxytocin	Cyclic nonapeptide. Binds OXTR (Gq-coupled GPCR).	Social behavior, uterine contractility, lactation, stress response	~1,007 Da	Disulfide bridge creates cyclic structure. Similar to vasopressin.
Triptorelin	GnRH agonist with D-Trp6. Initial stimulation then receptor desensitization.	GnRH receptor downregulation, gonadotropin suppression	~1,312 Da	100x more potent than native GnRH. D-amino acid confers resistance.

Other Research Compounds

Diverse research compounds spanning small molecules, peptide fragments, growth factors, and bioregulatory peptides.

Compound	Molecular Target / Mechanism	Key Research Areas	Mol. Weight	Notable Properties
5-Amino-1MQ	NNMT inhibitor. Increases intracellular NAD+.	NNMT inhibition, NAD+ metabolism, adipocyte differentiation	~173 Da	Small molecule, not a peptide. Cell-permeable.
AICAR	AMPK activator. Converted to ZMP (AMP mimetic).	AMPK signaling, exercise mimetic, glucose uptake	~258 Da	Nucleoside analog. First pharmacological AMPK activator.
Adipotide	Chimeric peptide targeting prohibitin on adipose vasculature.	Adipose vasculature targeting, vascular-targeted apoptosis	~2,462 Da	“Vascular zip code” peptide targeting white adipose blood supply.
Snap-8	Octapeptide antagonist of SNAP-25 in SNARE complex.	Neuromuscular junction, SNARE modulation, cosmeceutical	~1,075 Da	Extension of Argireline sequence. Topical delivery research.
IGF-1 LR3	83-aa IGF-1 analog. Reduced IGFBP affinity. Activates PI3K/Akt.	IGF-1R signaling, cell proliferation, muscle hypertrophy	~9,111 Da	~3x more potent than native IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding.
IGF-DES	Truncated IGF-1 (lacks first 3 aa). Minimal IGFBP binding.	IGF-1R signaling, local growth factor modeling	~7,372 Da	~10x more potent at receptor level. Very short half-life.
MGF	IGF-1 splice variant. Activates satellite cell proliferation.	Muscle satellite cells, mechanotransduction, damage-repair	~2,867 Da	Expressed after mechanical loading. Does not bind IGFBPs.
PEG-MGF	PEGylated MGF. Extended serum half-life.	Extended-duration MGF signaling, PEGylation pharmacokinetics	~5,000+ Da	PEGylation reduces renal clearance and protease degradation.
Dermorphin	Heptapeptide. Highly selective mu-opioid receptor agonist.	Mu-opioid pharmacology, receptor binding assays	~803 Da	30-40x more potent than morphine at mu receptors. Contains D-Ala2.
Ara-290	Selective agonist of innate repair receptor (EPOR/CD131 heterodimer).	Innate repair signaling, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory	~1,258 Da	Tissue-protective without erythropoietic activity.
PNC-27	Chimeric peptide. Binds HDM-2 on transformed cell surfaces.	Selective membranolysis, HDM-2 surface expression	~3,200 Da	Selectively kills cells with external membrane HDM-2.
SLU-PP-332	Pan-ERR agonist. Activates mitochondrial gene programs.	ERR pathway, exercise mimetic, mitochondrial biogenesis	~425 Da	Small molecule. Increased endurance in mouse models.
Testagen	Tetrapeptide Khavinson bioregulator for testicular function.	Testicular bioregulation, reproductive aging	~433 Da	Ultra-short peptide with oral stability.
Cartalax	Tripeptide Khavinson bioregulator for cartilage.	Cartilage bioregulation, musculoskeletal aging	~319 Da	Proposed epigenetic mechanism via DNA interaction.
Vesugen	Tripeptide Khavinson bioregulator for vascular endothelium.	Vascular bioregulation, endothelial function, cardiovascular aging	~390 Da	Vascular tissue-specific gene regulation.
Vilon	Dipeptide (Lys-Glu). Shortest Khavinson bioregulator. Thymic/immune modulation.	Thymic bioregulation, immune function, peptide-DNA interaction	~275 Da	Simplest bioregulator (2 amino acids). Immune reconstitution.
VIP	28-aa neuropeptide. Binds VPAC1/VPAC2, activates cAMP/PKA.	Neuroprotection, intestinal motility, circadian rhythm, vasodilation	~3,326 Da	Pleiotropic. Key role in SCN circadian signaling.
EPO 3000	Recombinant erythropoietin. Binds EPOR, activates JAK2/STAT5.	Erythropoiesis, EPOR signaling, hematopoietic differentiation	~30,400 Da	165-aa glycoprotein. Also has tissue-protective signaling.
L-Carnitine	Shuttles fatty acids into mitochondria via CPT system.	Fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial metabolism, exercise	~161 Da	Amino acid derivative, not a peptide. Essential cofactor.
Melatonin	Binds MT1/MT2 receptors. Free radical scavenger.	Circadian rhythm, sleep, antioxidant defense, immune modulation	~232 Da	Indole derivative. Amphiphilic. Production declines with age.

Certificates of Analysis

Every compound listed is supplied with third-party COAs verifying identity, purity (HPLC), and endotoxin levels. See our guide: How to Read a Certificate of Analysis.

Individual COAs available on each product page or via support@mapleresearchlabs.com.

All products are intended for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Researchers are responsible for compliance with all applicable regulations.

Last updated: April 2026. Molecular weights are approximate.