Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides30 plates · MIT
Plate I of XXX · Frontispiece

Specimen Atlas
of research peptides.

30 plates of the molecules most often discussed in contemporary peptide therapeutics — each drawn from the public literature, foot-noted, and rendered with a per-class mineral pigment after the manner of Werner. No advice. No commerce. Only citations.

Mineral pigment legend — after Werner
Healing
#5C7459
GLP-1 family
#A2553B
GH-axis
#1F4F4F
Mitochondrial
#A37F3D
Melanocortin
#4F3D5C
Russian bioregulator
#3D5C5C
Lipolytic
#3D4F24
Nootropic
#8C5E3C
§ II · The atlas, in figures
Plates compiled
30
FDA-approved
5
Claims tracked
1,343
Cited literature
28%
PubMed references
59
§ III · Contents

A beginner's tour, twelve plates.

Twelve molecules to start with — three approved drugs, three healing-class specimens, two GH-axis, two mitochondrial-or- bioregulator, and a pair of modulatory short peptides. Plate numbers below are catalog positions, not tour positions.

See all 30 plates →
  1. Plate XXVIFDA · 2010
    Tesamorelin
    GHRH Analogue

    Synthetic 44-amino-acid GHRH analogue, FDA-approved (2010) for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Stimulates pulsatile growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary, elevating IGF-1 and reducing visceral adipose tissue by 15–20% over 26 weeks. Distinguished from native GHRH by a trans-3-hexenoic-acid modification that extends plasma half-life from ~7 minutes to ~26 minutes.

    claims
    68
    cited
    40%
    refs
    6
  2. Plate XXIFDA · 2017
    Semaglutide
    GLP-1 Receptor Agonist

    Long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with C-18 fatty-acid acylation that enables albumin binding and a ~7-day half-life. FDA-approved 2017 for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic) and 2021 for chronic weight management (Wegovy). The STEP-1 trial showed 14.9% body-weight reduction over 68 weeks at 2.4 mg/week.

    claims
    53
    cited
    28%
    refs
    2
  3. Plate XXXFDA · 2022
    Tirzepatide
    GIP / GLP-1 Dual Receptor Agonist

    First-in-class dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. FDA-approved 2022 for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and 2023 for chronic weight management (Zepbound). The SURMOUNT-1 trial showed 20.9% body-weight reduction at 15 mg/week — the largest weight-loss outcome of any approved pharmacotherapy.

    claims
    45
    cited
    31%
    refs
    3
  4. Plate IIIresearch
    BPC-157
    Pentadecapeptide

    Synthetic 15-amino-acid pentadecapeptide derived from a protective sequence found in human gastric juice (BPC = Body Protection Compound). Stable in simulated gastric conditions and the most extensively studied healing peptide in animal literature. Demonstrates tendon, ligament, muscle, and gastrointestinal mucosa healing across 20+ rodent models. Clinically evaluated under designation PL-14736 in a Phase 2 ulcerative colitis trial.

    claims
    53
    cited
    17%
    refs
    3
  5. Plate VIIresearch
    GHK-Cu
    Copper-binding tripeptide

    Endogenous copper-binding tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) found in human plasma at ~200 ng/mL in young adults, declining sharply with age. Forms a 1:1 complex with Cu(II) to deliver copper to tissues, regulates collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and triggers anti-inflammatory + regenerative gene programs. Widely used topically and via SQ injection for skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and hair regrowth.

    claims
    47
    cited
    17%
    refs
    2
  6. Plate VIresearch
    Epitalon
    Tetrapeptide bioregulator

    Synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as the active analog of epithalamin, a natural pineal extract. Khavinson et al. demonstrated telomerase-activating and telomere-elongating activity in human somatic cells. Long-term safety + efficacy data are dominated by Russian-language literature; Western RCTs are sparse. Frequently used anecdotally for longevity and sleep regulation.

    claims
    37
    cited
    22%
    refs
    1
  7. Plate XVIresearch
    MOTS-c
    Mitochondrial-derived peptide

    16-amino-acid mitochondrial-encoded peptide (mitokine) translated from the 12S rRNA short open reading frame. Activates AMPK via folate-cycle inhibition, increasing fatty acid oxidation, glucose tolerance, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Endogenous levels decline with age and rise with exercise — frequently described as an exercise-mimetic. No completed human RCT to date; first MOTS-c-analog Phase 1a/1b (CB4211) completed 2021.

    claims
    68
    cited
    24%
    refs
    4
  8. Plate XIresearch
    Ipamorelin
    GHRP / Ghrelin Receptor Agonist

    Pentapeptide growth-hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) that selectively activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on the anterior pituitary, eliciting GH release without the cortisol or prolactin elevation characteristic of earlier GHRPs. Originally characterised by Raun et al. (1998); preferred GHRP partner for GHRH analogues like tesamorelin and CJC-1295.

    claims
    57
    cited
    37%
    refs
    6
  9. Plate XIXresearch
    Retatrutide
    GLP-1 / GIP / Glucagon Triple Agonist

    Investigational triple-receptor agonist of GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors developed by Eli Lilly. The Phase 2 trial (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2023) demonstrated 24.2% body-weight reduction at 12 mg over 48 weeks — the largest weight-loss effect of any peptide tested in obesity. Phase 3 trials ongoing as of 2026.

    claims
    41
    cited
    24%
    refs
    1
  10. Plate XXVresearch
    TB-500
    Actin-sequestering peptide

    Synthetic 17-amino-acid fragment of human thymosin β4 (TMSB4X), itself a 43-residue actin-sequestering protein abundant in platelets, white blood cells, and many other tissues. Promotes endothelial cell migration, blood vessel development, and accelerated wound re-epithelialization across animal models and Phase 2 trials. Often paired with BPC-157 for tendon / ligament / muscle repair.

    claims
    46
    cited
    17%
    refs
    2
  11. Plate XIIresearch
    KPV
    Tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val)

    Tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) corresponding to the C-terminus of α-melanocyte- stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Retains the anti-inflammatory and immune- modulatory properties of full α-MSH without the pigmentation effects. Multiple animal studies support efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease, acne, and atopic dermatitis. Often paired orally / topically with BPC-157 for gut and skin protocols.

    claims
    39
    cited
    33%
    refs
    2
  12. Plate XVIIresearch
    Pinealon
    Tetrapeptide bioregulator

    Synthetic tetrapeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) developed at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Russian literature reports neuroprotective and antioxidant effects, particularly in age-related cognitive decline. Limited Western RCT data. Frequently used anecdotally for cognitive support and longevity, often in combination with Epitalon.

    claims
    36
    cited
    33%
    refs
    2
Editor's note

The chronic problem with peptide reference content online is that it is either marketing copy or anonymous forum lore. This atlas is neither. Every claim is anchored to a paper; every paper opens in PubMed; the data is the citation.

R. Hwang, Editor — Letter to contributors, IV.MMXXVI
§ IV · Methodology

How a plate is composed.

01Step 01
Schema-validated YAML

Every peptide is one structured document. Build fails if a claim lacks a citation array — even an empty one. The shape is enforced at compile time by Zod.

02Step 02
Citations resolve to a registry

PubMed IDs, DOIs, and ClinicalTrials.gov NCTs are stored once in refs.yaml. Every cite ID in a plate must resolve, or the build is rejected.

03Step 03
Build-time parity audit

A second pass walks every claim and verifies it is counted in the trust metric. Smuggling an uncited claim past the audit fails the build.

04Step 04
Specimen motifs are deterministic

Each plate's SVG fingerprint is derived from its slug — the same peptide produces the same motif across every page, every time.

§ V · Coda

The atlas is a community manuscript.

MIT-licensed YAML, foot-noted to public literature, edited in the open. Open a pull request; correct an error; add a plate.