Humanin vs Thymulin
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
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 →Thymulin
Thymulin (Facteur Thymique Sérique) is a zinc-dependent nonapeptide hormone produced by thymic epithelial cells. It plays important roles in T-cell differentiation and immune system maturation.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Humanin | Thymulin |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 100 mcg–500 mcg | 100 mcg–400 mcg |
| Frequency | 1x daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 4–8 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Route | subcutaneous | subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Binds to IGFBP-3 and BAX, inhibiting apoptosis. Activates STAT3 signaling and enhances cellular survival under stress. Protects mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative stress. | Requires zinc for biological activity. Promotes T-cell differentiation, modulates cytokine production, and influences neuroendocrine function. Levels decline significantly with age. |
| Typical Dosage | 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. | Research protocols vary. Often studied alongside zinc supplementation. Typical research doses in the microgram range. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection in research. Various analogs exist with different potencies and stabilities. | Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in research settings. Requires adequate zinc status for activity. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Generally well-tolerated in animal studies. May affect glucose metabolism. | Limited data on exogenous administration. Theoretical effects on immune function require monitoring. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Humanin, Thymulin are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Humanin:
Unique to Thymulin:
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
| Goal | Humanin | Thymulin |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Aging & Longevity | medium | medium |
Key Studies
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
Thymulin
- Thymulin restrains age-associated myeloid inflammation and enhances cancer immunotherapy.
Nature communications, 2026
- Thymulin and peroxiredoxin 6 have protective effects against streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in mice.
International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology, 2021
- Nanoparticle-based thymulin gene therapy therapeutically reverses key pathology of experimental allergic asthma.
Science advances, 2020
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