Cerebrolysin vs Humanin
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Cerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin is a mixture of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides and free amino acids derived from purified pig brain proteins. It is approved in many countries for stroke, traumatic brain injury, and dementia.
Full details →Humanin
Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived peptide with potent cytoprotective effects. Discovered in 2001, it has shown promise in protecting against age-related diseases including Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Cerebrolysin | Humanin |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 2150 mg–4300 mg | 100 mcg–500 mcg |
| Frequency | 1x daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 1–2 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Route | intramuscular | subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Contains multiple neurotrophic factors that promote neuroplasticity, reduce neuronal apoptosis, and support synaptic function. Has both neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties. | Binds to IGFBP-3 and BAX, inhibiting apoptosis. Activates STAT3 signaling and enhances cellular survival under stress. Protects mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative stress. |
| Typical Dosage | Clinical dosing: 10-30ml IV daily for acute conditions. Research use: 5-10ml IM daily for cognitive enhancement. Treatment courses typically last 10-20 days. | Research protocols vary widely. Studies have used doses from micrograms to milligrams depending on the analog and route. HNG (S14G-Humanin) is a more potent analog. |
| Administration | Administered via intramuscular or intravenous injection. IV administration is typically used in clinical settings. IM can be used for research purposes. | Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection in research. Various analogs exist with different potencies and stabilities. |
| Side Effects | Generally well-tolerated. May cause dizziness, headache, sweating, or injection site reactions. Rare cases of agitation or confusion. | Limited human data. Generally well-tolerated in animal studies. May affect glucose metabolism. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Cerebrolysin, Humanin are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Cerebrolysin:
Unique to Humanin:
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
- Cognitive Performance: Cerebrolysin has stronger research support.
| Goal | Cerebrolysin | Humanin |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Performance | high | medium |
Key Studies
Cerebrolysin
- Cerebrolysin Ameliorates Age-Induced Dendritic Spine Degeneration and Memory Decline in C57BL6 Mice.
Neurochemical research, 2025
- Is Cerebrolysin Useful in Psychiatry Disorders?
Biomedicines, 2025
- Cerebrolysin ameliorates ketamine-mediated anxiety and cognitive impairments via modulation of mitochondrial function and CREB/PGC-1α pathway.
Molecular brain, 2025
Humanin
- Humanin Mitigates Aβ-Induced Retinal Pigment Epithelium Injury via AMPK-Beclin1-Dependent Mitophagy.
Aging cell, 2026
- HUMANIN produced by human efferocytic macrophages promotes the resolution of inflammation.
Cell death & disease, 2025
- The neuroprotective role of Humanin in Alzheimer's disease: The molecular effects.
European journal of pharmacology, 2025
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