Research compounds
Thymulin
Zinc-Thymulin, Facteur Thymique Serique
Thymulin is a nonapeptide hormone produced by thymic epithelial cells that requires zinc for its biological activity. It is studied for immune modulation and, in a zinc-complexed topical form, has been investigated for hair growth. It is not approved for any indication.
Also known as: Zinc-Thymulin, Facteur Thymique Serique, serum thymic factor
- Status
- Thymulin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
- Half-life
- Not established in humans.
- How it's taken
- Topical or subcutaneous in non-clinical use
- Mechanism
- Immune modulation
- Pathways
- Thymic Immune
How Thymulin works
Thymulin is biologically active only when complexed with zinc — the zinc-bound form adopts the conformation that confers activity. It participates in T-cell differentiation and maturation, and its circulating levels fall with age and with zinc deficiency. Its investigation in hair loss rests on a different rationale: an observed effect on the hair follicle cycle in animal models, and a small human pilot study of a topical zinc-thymulin preparation.
What research has looked at
- The zinc dependence of thymulin activity is well characterised, and its decline with age is documented.
- A small pilot study of topical zinc-thymulin in androgenetic alopecia reported an increase in hair count, which is the basis of interest in it for hair loss.
- It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in animal models.
Evidence level: Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- The human evidence is minimal. The hair-growth data come from a single small pilot study; no adequately powered controlled trial has been conducted.
- It is not approved by any regulator for any indication.
- Material sold as thymulin or zinc-thymulin is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy — and because activity depends on correct zinc complexation, formulation quality matters more here than for most peptides.
- Manipulating T-cell maturation has theoretical autoimmune and immunosuppressive implications that have not been characterised in humans.
Sources
- PubMed research on zinc thymulin hair follicle immune · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for thymulin · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for thymulin · U.S. National Library of Medicine
Track Thymulin in Peptide Vault
Log every dose, set reminders on your own schedule, rotate injection sites and keep your vials organized. Peptide Vault records what you enter. It doesn't recommend compounds or doses. iPhone, on-device.
Related compounds
Thymulin FAQ
What is Thymulin?
Thymulin is a nonapeptide hormone produced by thymic epithelial cells that requires zinc for its biological activity. It is studied for immune modulation and, in a zinc-complexed topical form, has been investigated for hair growth. It is not approved for any indication.
How does Thymulin work?
Thymulin is biologically active only when complexed with zinc — the zinc-bound form adopts the conformation that confers activity. It participates in T-cell differentiation and maturation, and its circulating levels fall with age and with zinc deficiency. Its investigation in hair loss rests on a different rationale: an observed effect on the hair follicle cycle in animal models, and a small human pilot study of a topical zinc-thymulin preparation.
Is Thymulin FDA approved?
No. Thymulin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
How is Thymulin taken?
Topical or subcutaneous in non-clinical use.
What side effects have been reported with Thymulin?
Reported in the sources: The human evidence is minimal. The hair-growth data come from a single small pilot study; no adequately powered controlled trial has been conducted; It is not approved by any regulator for any indication; Material sold as thymulin or zinc-thymulin is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy — and because activity depends on correct zinc complexation, formulation quality matters more here than for most peptides; Manipulating T-cell maturation has theoretical autoimmune and immunosuppressive implications that have not been characterised in humans.
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.