Source comparison
Quick Comparison
Type Endogenous mitochondrial-derived peptide Synthetic biguanide pharmaceutical Origin Encoded by mitochondrial DNA (12S rRNA gene) Derived from French lilac (Galega officinalis) Primary mechanism Folate cycle inhibition → AICAR accumulation → AMPK activation
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- Type
- Endogenous mitochondrial-derived peptide
- Synthetic biguanide pharmaceutical
- Origin
- Encoded by mitochondrial DNA (12S rRNA gene)
- Derived from French lilac (Galega officinalis)
- Primary mechanism
- Folate cycle inhibition → AICAR accumulation → AMPK activation
- Complex I inhibition → AMP:ATP ratio increase → AMPK activation
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection (research/community use)
- Oral tablet
- Reported dose range
- 5-10 mg SC, 2-3x/week (community-reported)
- 500-2,000 mg/day oral (prescribed range)
- Evidence level
- Preclinical (rodent + in vitro); no human dosing trials
- Decades of RCTs; prescribed to 150M+ people globally
- Regulatory status
- Research peptide — not FDA-approved
- FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (1994)
- Availability
- Research peptide vendors
- Prescription (generic, widely available)
- Cost
- ~$40-80/vial (research peptide pricing)
- ~$4-30/month (generic prescription)
- Known safety profile
- No controlled human safety data
- Well-characterized; GI side effects, rare lactic acidosis, B12 depletion