Humanin

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded in the 16S rRNA region of mtDNA, originally identified by Hashimoto and Nishimoto in surviving neurons of Alzheimer brains. In cell and rodent models it is anti-apoptotic (binds Bax, IGFBP-3) and neuroprotective against amyloid-β toxicity, and circulating humanin declines with age in mice, macaques, and humans. There is no approved indication for humanin or its analogues anywhere in the world as of 2026; all evidence is preclinical or observational, with no completed phase-3 human efficacy trial. Synthetic humanin and analogues such as HNG circulate as research peptides only.