Cerluten vs SS-31

CNS-targeted peptide complex that modulates neuronal gene expression. Shown in Russian clinical studies to improve memory consolidation, attention, and protect against neurodegeneration.

Cerluten is a synthetic short peptide classified as a Khavinson-class bioregulator targeted at cerebral and central nervous system tissue, investigated for neuroprotective and anti-aging properties in neuronal cell populations through proposed gene expression regulatory mechanisms. Like other Khavinson bioregulator peptides, cerluten is proposed to reach target neuronal cells via amino acid transporter uptake — including proton-coupled oligopeptide transporters (POT) and large amino acid transporters (LAT) — and to modulate transcriptional activity in aging or damaged neural tissue. Published research on Khavinson-class ultrashort peptides has characterized intracellular transport via POT and LAT carriers and demonstrated gene expression regulatory effects across multiple tissue types, providing the class-level mechanistic framework within which cerluten's neuronal effects are proposed. Cerluten has no FDA approval or regulatory approval in any major Western jurisdiction; evidence derives from Khavinson-series preclinical and class-level studies with no independent clinical trials published in Western-indexed journals. Cerluten dosing and respiratory applications Cerluten is classified as a bronchial tissue bioregulator in the Khavinson peptide research tradition, proposed to act on bronchial epithelial cells via amino acid transporter uptake and modulate gene expression related to respiratory tissue maintenance and oxidative stress response in aging airways. Preclinical and observational research in Eastern European clinical settings has examined cerluten in contexts of chronic bronchitis, age-related decline in respiratory function, and COPD support, with proposed mechanisms including anti-inflammatory gene regulation and bronchial epithelial cell cytoprotection. Standard Khavinson-class dosing protocols use oral capsule formulations in 10–20 day cycles at 5–10mg per cycle (divided doses), followed by rest intervals — consistent with the gene-regulatory rather than continuous-receptor-occupancy mechanism proposed for this peptide class. Independent peer-reviewed clinical trial evidence specific to cerluten is limited; efficacy data comes primarily from Khavinson Institute publications and observational reports. Cerluten is available from specialty Eastern European supplement and peptide vendors and is not approved by the FDA or EMA as a pharmaceutical. It is distinct from Chonluten, which targets lung parenchyma rather than bronchial epithelial tissue.

Targets cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membrane; stabilizes cristae structure; enhances electron transport chain efficiency; reduces mitochondrial ROS

SS-31 (elamipretide; Szeto-Schiller peptide 31; MTP-131; bendavia) is a synthetic cardiolipin-targeting tetrapeptide that selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane through electrostatic interaction with cardiolipin, where it stabilizes cristae ultrastructure, preserves electron transport chain assembly, and reduces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production to protect against ischemic and metabolic mitochondrial injury. By binding cardiolipin at the inner mitochondrial membrane, SS-31 maintains the protein-lipid interactions required for efficient electron transport chain supercomplex formation, preserving cytochrome c association with complexes I–IV, reducing electron leak, and sustaining the proton gradient required for ATP synthase activity — thereby protecting energy production in cardiomyocytes, neurons, and renal tubular cells under ischemic or oxidative stress. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in Circulation Heart Failure demonstrated that elamipretide improved cardiac function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and a Phase 2a trial published in Circulation Cardiovascular Interventions provided additional human evidence of mitochondrial protection in the context of renal artery stenosis revascularization. Elamipretide has not received FDA approval; it has received rare pediatric disease designation for Barth syndrome and has been studied in multiple Phase 2 trials including heart failure, primary mitochondrial myopathy, and geographic atrophy, with ongoing Phase 3 development programs as of 2025.