Evidence-based monographs, guides & articles
Peer-reviewed literature dossiers, procedural guides, and reference articles for Canadian researchers. Verified against PubMed with full preclinical-to-human evidence separation.
Compound Monographs
Formulas, CAS registries, receptor affinities, and PubMed citations
23 monographs
- Metabolic ResearchCAS 2381089-83-2
Retatrutide
Retatrutide (LY3437943) is an investigational synthetic peptide that agonises three related receptors in a single molecule: GIP, GLP-1 and the glucagon receptor. Published in vitro pharmacology, Phase 2 trials in obesity and type 2 diabetes, and an ongoing Phase 3 programme make it the most clinically advanced tri-agonist. It is not an approved medicine.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Metabolic ResearchCAS 2023788-19-2
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a 39-amino-acid synthetic peptide that agonises both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, carrying a C20 fatty diacid that binds albumin and supports once-weekly dosing intervals. Receptor pharmacology describes it as imbalanced and biased rather than a simple combination of two agonists. It is an approved medicine in several jurisdictions.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Metabolic ResearchCAS 910463-68-2
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist derived from native human GLP-1 with three deliberate modifications: an α-aminoisobutyric acid at position 8, a lysine-to-arginine substitution, and a C18 diacid that binds albumin. It is an approved medicine with cardiovascular outcome data in both type 2 diabetes and obesity without diabetes.
5 sources · 9 minView research - Tissue RepairCAS 137525-51-0
BPC-157
BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a protein sequence found in human gastric juice. Preclinical studies report effects on angiogenesis via VEGFR2 signalling and on nitric oxide pathways. Its evidence base is overwhelmingly rodent-model work; no completed Phase 3 human trials have been published.
5 sources · 7 minView research - Tissue RepairCAS 885340-08-9
TB-500
TB-500 is a synthetic, N-acetylated seven-residue peptide, Ac-LKKTETQ, corresponding to the actin-binding motif of thymosin β4. The parent 43-residue protein sequesters monomeric G-actin and has been studied in humans; the heptapeptide itself has no published human trials, and most evidence attributed to TB-500 describes the full protein.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Blends
BPC-157 / TB-500 Blend
This preparation co-lyophilises BPC-157 with TB-500, the acetylated LKKTETQ fragment of thymosin β4. Each peptide has its own largely preclinical literature - VEGFR2 signalling for BPC-157, actin sequestration for thymosin β4. The combination itself is not independently characterised; searches for studies of the pair administered together returned none.
5 sources · 6 minView research - Growth AxisCAS 218949-48-5
Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (1-44) bearing a trans-3-hexenoyl group at its N-terminus, which obstructs dipeptidyl peptidase-4 cleavage. It is the only compound on the GHRH/secretagogue axis with completed, published Phase 3 trials and a regulatory label, granted by the FDA in 2010 for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Tissue RepairCAS 89030-95-5
GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the naturally occurring plasma tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. The copper is integral rather than incidental: the studied activities belong to the complex, not the free peptide. Fibroblast and rodent work reports effects on collagen synthesis and matrix metalloproteinase expression; human data are limited to small topical dermatology studies.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Blends
Glow Blend
Glow Blend co-lyophilises the copper tripeptide GHK-Cu with BPC-157 and TB-500. All three components have published preclinical literatures of differing depth, and GHK-Cu's is the oldest. The three-component combination is not independently characterised: searches for studies of these peptides used together returned none.
5 sources · 7 minView research - Blends
Klow Blend
Klow Blend adds the α-MSH-derived tripeptide KPV to the GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500 composition. Each of the four components has its own preclinical literature, strongest for KPV in rodent colitis models and GHK-Cu in matrix biology. No indexed study examines any combination of these four peptides.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Metabolic ResearchCAS 1627580-64-6
MOTS-c
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene rather than in nuclear DNA. Published work reports that it acts on the folate-methionine cycle, activates AMPK indirectly, and translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress. Almost all functional evidence is from cells and rodents.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Growth Axis
IGF-1 LR3
IGF-1 LR3 is a recombinant analogue of insulin-like growth factor 1 with arginine substituted for glutamate at position 3 and a 13-residue N-terminal extension. Both changes reduce affinity for the IGF-binding proteins that normally sequester the hormone, which raises apparent potency in culture. The literature is overwhelmingly cell-culture and livestock work.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Growth Axis
CJC-1295 Without DAC: What Modified GRF (1-29) Actually Is
CJC-1295 without DAC is Modified GRF (1-29), a sermorelin analogue carrying four substitutions - D-Ala2, Gln8, Ala15 and Leu27 - that resist enzymatic degradation. It carries no albumin-binding linker, so GHRH-receptor exposure lasts minutes rather than days. The name is informal: 'CJC-1295' originally denoted only the DAC-bearing compound.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Growth AxisCAS 446262-90-4
CJC-1295 (with DAC)
CJC-1295 with DAC is a GHRH(1-29) analogue bearing a maleimidopropionic acid linker that forms a covalent bond with circulating serum albumin. That conjugation extends its half-life from minutes to days. Teichman et al. (2006) remain the only substantial human study, reporting prolonged growth hormone and IGF-1 elevation in healthy adults.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Blends
CJC-1295 with DAC and Ipamorelin: Two Receptors, One Fixed Ratio
This blend pairs CJC-1295 with DAC - a long-acting GHRH-receptor analogue - with ipamorelin, a selective GHS-R1a agonist. Combining a GHRH analogue with a growth hormone secretagogue has a published two-receptor rationale; the specific fixed-ratio lyophilisate has not been characterised in humans.
5 sources · 7 minView research - Blends
CJC-1295 (No DAC) / Ipamorelin Blend
This blend pairs CJC-1295 without DAC - Modified GRF (1-29), a short-acting GHRH-receptor analogue - with ipamorelin, a selective GHS-R1a agonist. Combining a GHRH analogue with a growth hormone secretagogue has a published two-receptor rationale; the specific fixed-ratio lyophilisate has not been characterised in humans.
5 sources · 7 minView research - PigmentationCAS 121062-08-6
Melanotan II
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic lactam analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that acts as a non-selective agonist at the MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R melanocortin receptors. It is unapproved in every jurisdiction. Published case reports document eruptive and changing melanocytic naevi, and melanoma, in people who used it.
5 sources · 9 minView research - Tissue RepairCAS 67727-97-3
KPV
KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, corresponding to residues 11 to 13 of that hormone. Cell and rodent studies report that it suppresses NF-κB signalling and inflammatory cytokine output while lacking the melanocortin pharmacophore responsible for pigmentation. No human clinical trials of KPV itself have been published.
5 sources · 7 minView research - Laboratory ReagentsCAS 53-84-9
NAD+
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a dinucleotide cofactor that carries electrons in central metabolism and is consumed as a substrate by sirtuins, PARPs and CD38. Mammalian cells largely regenerate it through the nicotinamide salvage pathway. It does not readily cross the plasma membrane, so most human trial data concern precursors rather than NAD+ itself.
5 sources · 9 minView research - Laboratory ReagentsCAS 70-18-8
Glutathione
Glutathione is the tripeptide γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine and the dominant low-molecular-weight thiol in most cells. Its unusual γ-peptide bond resists standard aminopeptidases. The reduced form, GSH, donates electrons through glutathione peroxidases and conjugates electrophiles through glutathione S-transferases, cycling to the disulphide GSSG. Whether oral glutathione raises tissue stores remains contested.
5 sources · 8 minView research - Laboratory ReagentsCAS 7732-18-5 (water) / 100-51-6 (benzyl alcohol)
Bacteriostatic Water
Bacteriostatic water is sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, an antimicrobial preservative that allows a multi-dose container to resist microbial growth between entries. It is a reagent rather than an active substance. The literature on it is largely preservative toxicology - notably neonatal benzyl alcohol poisoning - and formulation compatibility.
5 sources · 5 minView research - Metabolic ResearchCAS 221231-10-3
AOD-9604
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal region of human growth hormone, residues 176-191, with a tyrosine added at the N-terminus. The literature reports lipolytic and fat-oxidation effects in obese rodents without the growth-promoting activity of the parent hormone. Its human evidence base is minimal.
5 sources · 7 minView research - Growth AxisCAS 170851-70-4
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide, Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, acting as an agonist at GHS-R1a - the ghrelin receptor - and not at the GHRH receptor. Raun et al. (1998) characterised it as the first selective growth hormone secretagogue, releasing growth hormone without the ACTH, cortisol and prolactin rises produced by GHRP-6 and hexarelin.
5 sources · 8 minView research
Guides & Articles for Canadian peptide researchers
COA analysis, HPLC purity interpretation, storage conditions, and Canadian regulatory context
- Storage & Handling
Shelf Life and Stability of Lyophilised Research Peptides: Room Temperature to Long-Term Storage
Sealed, dry lyophilised research peptides exhibit high stability compared to liquid preparations. In their unreconstituted solid state, sealed vials typically maintain purity for 30 to 90 days at ambient room temperature, 12 to 24 months refrigerated, and 24 to 36+ months frozen at minus 20°C.
5 min readRead guide - Documentation & Testing
How to Read a Peptide Certificate of Analysis
A certificate of analysis documents the identity, purity, and physical characteristics of a specific peptide lot. Reading each block - from mass confirmation to moisture content - lets a laboratory assess whether the material meets its quality criteria before accepting the shipment.
7 min readRead guide - Documentation & Testing
HPLC Area-Percent Purity in Research Peptides Explained
HPLC area-percent purity reports the main peak as a fraction of total chromatographic peak area. That figure is not equivalent to the mass of peptide in a vial, because water, counterions, and UV-inactive impurities are not captured by the same measurement.
8 min readRead guide - Documentation & Testing
Mass Spectrometry for Peptide Identity Confirmation
Mass spectrometry confirms peptide identity by matching the observed molecular mass of a sample against the theoretical mass calculated from the amino acid sequence. It is the primary analytical tool for identity and is distinct from purity measurement, which is the domain of chromatographic methods.
8 min readRead guide - Storage & Handling
Receiving and Storing Research Peptides in a Laboratory Setting
Sealed lyophilised research peptides require controlled temperature, low humidity, and protection from light throughout the cold chain. Institutional laboratories should have documented procedures for inspecting material on arrival, assigning storage conditions, and maintaining inventory records tied to lot numbers.
7 min readRead guide - Storage & Handling
Peptide Degradation: Oxidation, Deamidation, and Aggregation Pathways
Peptides degrade through several distinct chemical pathways - oxidation, deamidation, backbone hydrolysis, and aggregation - each driven by different environmental conditions. The sequence of a peptide determines which pathways are most relevant and how quickly they proceed under a given set of storage conditions.
8 min readRead guide - Regulation & Compliance
Canadian Regulations for Institutional Research Peptide Supply
Research peptides supplied to Canadian institutions are not authorised drugs under the Food and Drugs Act. They are unapproved materials supplied exclusively for laboratory research, subject to institutional verification requirements, import controls, and record-keeping obligations that fall on the receiving organisation.
9 min readRead guide - Fundamentals
What Are Research Peptides: A Laboratory Materials Overview
Research peptides are short amino acid chains produced by chemical synthesis and supplied to laboratories as characterised analytical materials. They are not authorised by Health Canada as drugs for human or veterinary use and are intended for laboratory research purposes only.
7 min readRead guide - Fundamentals
Peptides vs. Proteins: Structure, Synthesis, and Laboratory Handling
Peptides and proteins are both amino acid chains but differ substantially in length, structural complexity, synthesis route, and stability. These differences determine which analytical methods apply, how each class is stored, and what documentation standards are appropriate for laboratory research materials.
7 min readRead guide - Purchasing
Evaluating a Canadian Research Materials Supplier: A Practical Checklist
Evaluating a supplier of research materials requires examining per-lot documentation, analytical method transparency, independent testing practices, and institutional verification protocols. Domestic fulfilment and demonstrable cold-chain capability are additional considerations for Canadian laboratories.
7 min readRead guide - Documentation & Testing
Lot Traceability and Batch Records for Research Materials
Lot traceability links each container of research material to its synthesis batch, analytical results, and storage history. It supports experimental reproducibility, audit readiness, and the documentation standards expected by peer-reviewed journals.
7 min readRead guide - Documentation & Testing
Third-Party Versus In-House Testing of Research Materials
In-house testing by the manufacturer and independent third-party analysis serve different purposes in the quality documentation of research materials. Understanding the difference - and how to verify that a third-party report is genuinely independent - is essential for informed supplier selection.
7 min readRead guide
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