Peptides 101: A Field Guide to Popular Research Compounds

Plain-English overviews, literature contexts, and sourcing notes.

This quick reference outlines common research peptides and related compounds—what they’re studied for in the literature, typical points of characterization (identity/purity), and the paperwork you should expect with each lot. It’s written for lab teams who want clarity, not hype.

Before we start

• Research-use only. Materials discussed here are not for diagnostic, therapeutic, or consumption purposes.

• Documentation matters. For reproducibility, pair each experiment with a lot-specific COA, target spec sheet, and storage guidance.

• Identity & purity first. LC-MS (or MS), HPLC, and where relevant water/solvent and counter-ion checks are common anchors for verification.

Quick reading guide

Each entry below includes: a one-line overview, common literature contexts, and notes on documentation you’ll typically want to see with a lot.

Tissue & Recovery

BPC-157

• Overview: Synthetic pentadecapeptide described in literature exploring tissue resilience and repair models.

• Contexts: GI models, tendon/ligament injury models, endothelial studies.

• Docs to expect: Identity (MS), purity (HPLC), salt form, storage; reconstitution notes on pH/solubility.

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment)

• Overview: Peptide fragment studied in cell migration and cytoskeleton dynamics.

• Contexts: Angiogenesis and wound-healing models; actin-binding pathways.

• Docs: Identity/purity, counter-ion, light/temperature handling.

BPC-157 + TB-500 (combination)

• Overview: Frequently co-studied where investigators model complementary pathways (ECM integrity + migration).

• Docs: Separate or combined COA coverage per lot; confirm each component’s spec.

GHK-cu / AHK-cu

• Overview: Copper-binding tripeptides studied for ECM signaling and skin biology.

• Contexts: Collagen signaling, antioxidant pathways.

• Docs: Identity/purity; note chelation state and storage (light protection).

Growth-axis & Metabolic

CJC-1295 (with/without DAC)

• Overview: GHRH analogs studied for pulsatile growth-axis signaling; DAC variant alters pharmacokinetic behavior.

• Contexts: Endocrine signaling models, secretion dynamics.

• Docs: Identity (MS), purity (HPLC), clear indication of with vs. without DAC in labeling.

Ipamorelin

• Overview: Ghrelin-receptor agonist peptide studied for selective GH release pathways.

• Contexts: Endocrine research, secretion pulse studies.

• Docs: Identity/purity; co-study labeling if used with CJC derivatives.

GHRP-2 / GHRP-6

• Overview: Earlier-generation secretagogues in GH axis research.

• Contexts: Comparative endocrine studies, receptor pharmacology.

• Docs: Identity/purity; note any known solvent sensitivities.

MOTS-c

• Overview: Mitochondria-encoded peptide investigated in metabolic homeostasis models.

• Contexts: Cellular stress responses, energy balance.

• Docs: Identity/purity; cold-chain/storage per spec.

AOD (fragment)

• Overview: Fragment peptide studied in lipolysis-related models.

• Contexts: Adipocyte signaling, metabolic endpoints.

• Docs: Identity/purity; fragment identity clearly specified.

Cellular Senescence & Longevity Models

FOXO4-DRI

• Overview: Peptide studied in senescence and p53-FOXO4 interaction models.

• Contexts: Cellular aging pathways; proof-of-concept senolytic frameworks in literature models.

• Docs: Identity (MS), purity, handling (often light/cold sensitive).

Epitalon

• Overview: Tetrapeptide researched in circadian and telomere-adjacent models.

• Contexts: Aging biology, pineal signaling models.

• Docs: Identity/purity; note salt form and storage.

DSIP

• Overview: Peptide referenced in sleep-related and neuroendocrine literature.

• Contexts: Neurophysiology models; stress-response lines of inquiry.

• Docs: Identity/purity; handling stability.

Neuro & Behavioral

PT-141

• Overview: Melanocortin-pathway peptide studied for its central effects in preclinical models.

• Contexts: Behavioral pharmacology, receptor-pathway studies.

• Docs: Identity/purity; light protection, storage.

MT-1 / MT-2 (Melanotan I/II)

• Overview: Melanocortin analogs examined for receptor-selective signaling differences.

• Contexts: Pigmentation pathways, receptor specificity.

• Docs: Identity/purity; precise analog labeling (I vs. II).

Small proteins / IGF axis

IGF-1 LR3

• Overview: Long-R3 analog studied for enhanced receptor interaction and stability in vitro.

• Contexts: Muscle cell models, growth-factor pathway mapping.

• Docs: Identity (MS), purity (HPLC), carrier/protein notes if applicable; storage guidance.

Nucleotides & Co-factors (related)

NAD⁺ (research grade)

• Overview: Oxidoreductase cofactor used in energy/redox studies.

• Contexts: Cellular metabolism, sirtuin-related readouts.

• Docs: Identity, purity, moisture; strong storage controls (hygroscopic).

Catalog companions (not peptides)

You’ll see these in our catalog because researchers often compare them or use them in parallel models.

MK-677 (Ibutamoren) — non-peptide

• Overview: Investigational GH secretagogue (small molecule).

• Contexts: Endocrine signaling comparisons alongside peptide secretagogues.

• Docs: Identity/purity; clear classification as small molecule.

RAD-140 (Testolone) — non-peptide

• Overview: Investigational SARM used in androgen-receptor pathway research.

• Contexts: AR signaling models; not a peptide.

• Docs: Identity/purity; handled distinctly from peptide inventory.

Paperwork checklist (use this before you pipette)

1. COA matches vial lot ID and item name/analog (e.g., CJC-1295 with DAC).

2. Identity (MS/LC-MS) + purity (HPLC) shown with units and method notes.

3. Salt form / counter-ion and storage instructions are explicit.

4. Spec sheet includes reconstitution tips (buffer, pH, light sensitivity).

5. SDS on file where applicable.

Storage snapshot (general, lot-dependent)

• Keep sealed, desiccated, protected from light; observe temperature ranges on spec.

• Minimize freeze-thaw; aliquot where needed.

• Record lot ID and dates in your ELN for reproducibility.

If you need something specific

• Looking for a particular counter-ion or lot-to-lot continuity? Ask—we’ll confirm availability or flag upcoming lot transitions.

• Can’t find a document? We’ll attach it to your order record.