What is the difference between Cortagen and MOTS-c?

Cortagen: Brain cortex-derived tetrapeptide that modulates gene expression in neural and cardiac tissue through chromatin regulatory mechanisms; MOTS-c: Mitochondria-derived peptide that translocates to nucleus under stress; activates AMPK pathway, regulates AICAR and folate-methionine cycle

Is Cortagen FDA approved?

Cortagen is not evaluated or approved by the FDA. It is discussed for research and educational purposes only, not as medical guidance.

Is MOTS-c FDA approved?

MOTS-c is the subject of a favorable FDA advisory committee vote but not FDA approved, and its legal status for compounding is unchanged. It is discussed for research and educational purposes only, not as medical guidance.

How is Cortagen administered in research settings?

In research settings, Cortagen is typically administered via the oral or subcutaneous routes. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

How is MOTS-c administered in research settings?

In research settings, MOTS-c is typically administered via the subcutaneous or intravenous routes. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

Home›Research›Compare›Cortagen vs MOTS-c

Peptide Comparison

Cortagen vs MOTS-c

Name: Cortagen vs MOTS-c — Per-mg Price Comparison
Creator: PeptideBase
License: https://peptidebase.io/terms

Both are Longevity & Cellular peptides.

Cortagen

vascular peptide bioregulator

LongevityNot EvaluatedResearch Only

1 providers listed

Full Cortagen profile →

MOTS-c

Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-c

LongevityAdvisory Vote: FavorableResearch Only

Half-life: Unknown (rapidly cleared from plasma)

185 providers listed

Full MOTS-c profile →

Bottom line

MOTS-c carries stronger published evidence (Cohort study, 8 key studies) than Cortagen (Review, 2); both are research compounds.

Quick Verdict

Cortagen

MOTS-c

Which One Should You Choose?

Your goal	Better option
Stronger clinical evidence	MOTS-c
Oral administration option	Cortagen
More provider options (1 vs 185)	MOTS-c

Research summary only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before making any decisions.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Cortagen

MOTS-c

Mechanism Family

Longevity & Cellular

Half-life

—

Unknown (rapidly cleared from plasma)

FDA Status

not evaluated

advisory committee recommended

Admin Routes

oral, subcutaneous

subcutaneous, intravenous

Availability

Research Only

Providers

1 listed

185 listed

FDA Update

—

Jul 2026

Avail. Notes

—

Mitochondria-derived peptide encoded in 12S rRNA. Regulates metabolism and exercise capacity. No FDA approval, no NDA or IND. Pure research compound; no clinical development program.

Research Evidence

Cortagen

Review · 2 key studies · most recent 2021

MOTS-c

Cohort study · 8 key studies · most recent 2026

Research Citations

Cortagen

Animal2004 · Neuroendocrinology Letters

The effect of short peptides on the expression of genes in the cardiac muscle of old male rats

Review2021 · Molecules

Peptide Regulation of Gene Expression: A Systematic Review

MOTS-c

Cohort2026 · J Clin Med

Reduced Circulating MOTS-c Levels in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Reflect Integrated Autoimmune and Metabolic Dysr…

Animal2026 · Biomedicines

Humanin and MOTS-c Attenuate Atrial Fibrillation by Suppressing Fibrosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

Animal2026 · Redox Biol

LAT1-mediated delivery of engineered R13A-MOTS-c attenuates radiation-induced lung injury via Nrf2 activation…

Animal2026 · Life Sci

MOTS-c attenuates hyperoxia-induced neonatal cardiac injury by inhibiting oxeiptosis via maintaining the KEAP…

+4 more

About Cortagen

Brain cortex-derived tetrapeptide that modulates gene expression in neural and cardiac tissue through chromatin regulatory mechanisms; microarray analysis demonstrates broad transcriptional effects following administration.

Research Areas

neuroprotectiongene expression regulationlongevityanti-aging

About MOTS-c

Mitochondria-derived peptide that translocates to nucleus under stress; activates AMPK pathway, regulates AICAR and folate-methionine cycle

Research Areas

metabolic regulationinsulin sensitivityexercise mimicryanti-aging

Safety Profile

Information below reflects published research data only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before use.

Cortagen

No established clinical contraindications. This is an investigational compound with limited human data and has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety in this context. Consult a qualified clinician.

MOTS-c

No established clinical contraindications. This is an investigational compound with limited human data and has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety in this context. Consult a qualified clinician.

Price (per mg)

Cortagen

Not enough vendor pricing yet.

MOTS-c

$4.93/mg

$3.03 – $6.96 range

51 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

Providers offering

Cortagen

1 listed

Browse directory →

Providers offering

MOTS-c

185 listed

Browse directory →

PeptideBase lists providers for educational research purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before obtaining or using any peptide.

More Longevity & Cellular Comparisons

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Educational research tools — not medical advice.

Cite this page

Data last updated August 26, 2026

Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:

PeptideBase. (2026). Cortagen vs MOTS-c — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved September 11, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/cortagen/mots-c

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