Research compounds
P21
P021, Cerebrolysin-derived tetrapeptide
P21 is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from CNTF, developed as an orally active neurogenic compound and studied in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. It is sold as a research peptide and is not approved.
Also known as: P021, P-21, CNTF peptide
- Status
- P21 is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established.
- Half-life
- Not established in humans.
- How it's taken
- Oral or intranasal in non-clinical use
- Mechanism
- Cognitive / mood
- Pathways
- Neurotrophic
How P21 works
P21 is an adamantylated tetrapeptide derived from a biologically active region of ciliary neurotrophic factor. It is reported to enhance neurogenesis and to increase BDNF expression while inhibiting leukaemia inhibitory factor signalling, with the adamantylation intended to confer oral bioavailability and blood-brain barrier penetration. In transgenic mouse models it reduced tau hyperphosphorylation and improved cognitive measures.
What research has looked at
- Animal work reports increased neurogenesis, elevated BDNF and improved cognitive performance in Alzheimer's and Down syndrome models.
- The adamantylation strategy is a legitimate medicinal chemistry approach to giving a peptide oral bioavailability and central penetration.
- It has been studied in peer-reviewed academic work rather than existing purely as a grey-market compound.
Evidence level: Preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- There are no human trials of any kind. Every claim rests on rodent models, and neurodegeneration is the therapeutic area where rodent-to-human translation has failed most consistently. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
- No regulator has approved it and it is not in registered clinical development.
- Chronically stimulating neurogenesis and neurotrophin signalling has uncharacterised long-term consequences.
- Material sold as P21 is research chemical supply with unverified identity and purity.
Sources
- PubMed research on P021 CNTF tetrapeptide neurogenesis Alzheimer · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for P021 · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for P021 · U.S. National Library of Medicine
Track P21 in Peptide Vault
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Related compounds
P21 FAQ
What is P21?
P21 is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from CNTF, developed as an orally active neurogenic compound and studied in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. It is sold as a research peptide and is not approved.
How does P21 work?
P21 is an adamantylated tetrapeptide derived from a biologically active region of ciliary neurotrophic factor. It is reported to enhance neurogenesis and to increase BDNF expression while inhibiting leukaemia inhibitory factor signalling, with the adamantylation intended to confer oral bioavailability and blood-brain barrier penetration. In transgenic mouse models it reduced tau hyperphosphorylation and improved cognitive measures.
Is P21 FDA approved?
No. P21 is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established.
How is P21 taken?
Oral or intranasal in non-clinical use.
What side effects have been reported with P21?
Reported in the sources: There are no human trials of any kind. Every claim rests on rodent models, and neurodegeneration is the therapeutic area where rodent-to-human translation has failed most consistently. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy; No regulator has approved it and it is not in registered clinical development; Chronically stimulating neurogenesis and neurotrophin signalling has uncharacterised long-term consequences; Material sold as P21 is research chemical supply with unverified identity and purity.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.