Synthetic analog · 4 amino acids · 430.4 Da

Cortagen (AEDP) studies and research data

PepBank has 8 Cortagen studies with results. 7 of them gave Cortagen, with 18 results, grouped by what the studies measured. In each group, results from studies in people come first. Data as of 2026-10-30.

Searches 18 results and 15 papers. Newer studies from Europe PMC

Results in people

0% of 18 results

Results in animals

61% of 18 results

Results in lab cells

39% of 18 results

From computer models

0% of 18 results

The molecule

Cortagen identity

Identifiers, parent molecule, targets and development stage, from curated data.

Cortagen is a synthetic 4-residue peptide in the Khavinson bioregulator family. Its sequence is Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro. Chemical identity does not establish a clinical benefit or a safe human dose.

Kind: Synthetic analog · 4 residues
Identifiers: PubChem CID18439621 (opens in a new tab)CAS335591-03-2
Development: No known clinical developmentNo clinical development phase was established from the identity and regulatory sources. Study titles do not establish a clinical phase.

Targets

No molecular target is recorded for this peptide.

Sequence and structure

Residues, differences from the parent, calculated properties and 3D structure. Source values and calculated values are shown separately.

Sequence

4 amino acids

H-

AEDP

-OH

Properties

From identity sources

Formula: C₁₇H₂₆N₄O₉
Molecular weight: 430.4 g/mol
Monoisotopic mass: 430.17 Da

PubChem CID 18439621(opens in a new tab)retrieved 2026-10-21

Calculated from the sequence

pKa set

Average mass: 430.41 Da; Sum of ExPASy residue masses + water · ExPASy Compute pI/Mw; FindMod
Monoisotopic mass: 430.1700 Da; Sum of ExPASy residue masses + water · ExPASy FindMod
Isoelectric point (pI): 3.55; pH of zero net charge, EMBOSS pKa set · EMBOSS iep, Epk.dat
Net charge at pH 7.4: −2.06; Henderson-Hasselbalch, EMBOSS pKa set · EMBOSS iep, Epk.dat
GRAVY (hydropathy): −1.700; Mean Kyte-Doolittle hydropathy · Kyte and Doolittle 1982; Negative: hydrophilic on average.
Extinction coefficient, 280 nm (Cys reduced): 0 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹; 5500 x Trp + 1490 x Tyr · Pace et al. 1995 (ExPASy ProtParam); No Trp or Tyr: absorbance at 280 nm cannot measure this peptide.
Instability index: 55.65; Dipeptide instability weights (DIWV) · Guruprasad et al. 1990; Above 40: classed as possibly unstable (ExPASy).
Aliphatic index: 25.0; Mole % A + 2.9 V + 3.9 (I + L) · Ikai 1980
Boman index: 3.43 kcal/mol; Mean solubility value (negated) · Boman 2003; Above 2.48: high protein-binding potential (Boman).
Hydrophobic moment (μH): Not calculated; The sequence is too short for this method.
pI with each pKa set: EMBOSS 3.55Bjellqvist (ExPASy) 3.67IPC peptide 3.05IPC protein 3.29

Defined and validated for proteins; use with care for short peptides.
Assumes an ideal alpha helix. Many short peptides are not helical.

@pepdb/chem 0.2.0 · EMBOSS pKa set · ExPASy residue masses

Net charge by pH

pI 3.55 · Net charge at pH 7.4: −2.06

Point or use arrow keys

Henderson-Hasselbalch, EMBOSS pKa set. Calculated, not measured.

Show as table

pH	Net charge
0	1.00
1	1.00
2	0.96
3	0.61
4	−0.72
5	−1.78
6	−1.98
7	−2.02
8	−2.20
9	−2.72
10	−2.96
11	−3.00
12	−3.00
13	−3.00
14	−3.00

Composition

Hydrophobic25% (1)A
Negative50% (2)D E
Special25% (1)P

4 residues. Each residue counts in one class; F and W count as aromatic.

A Ala1 · 25%

I Ile0 · 0%

L Leu0 · 0%

M Met0 · 0%

V Val0 · 0%

F Phe0 · 0%

W Trp0 · 0%

Y Tyr0 · 0%

H His0 · 0%

K Lys0 · 0%

R Arg0 · 0%

D Asp1 · 25%

E Glu1 · 25%

N Asn0 · 0%

Q Gln0 · 0%

S Ser0 · 0%

T Thr0 · 0%

C Cys0 · 0%

G Gly0 · 0%

P Pro1 · 25%

3D structure

No 3D structure

No experimental structure (PDB) and no UniProt entry for an AlphaFold model are listed for this peptide. Synthetic peptides often have neither. The sequence view above is the reference.

2D structure

Draws the structure in your browser with RDKit (about 2.3 MB, loaded once).

SMILES fromPubChem CID 18439621(opens in a new tab)

C[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(=O)O)C(=O)N1CCC[C@H]1C(=O)O)N

Results by area

Cortagen results by year and outcome

Counts are exact and come from studies that gave the peptide.

Studies by year

8 of 15 studies have results (53%), published 2000 to 2011. Top row: every study. Bottom row: studies with results about Cortagen (AEDP), by class. The rows use different scales.

Studies
Human
Animal
Lab
Computer model
Natural levels, tool or combination only

Studies15 in all, 2000 to 2023

Studies with results8 in all, 2000 to 2011

Retracted studies are left out. A study with results in two classes counts in both.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

What the studies measured

People first in each area, then animals, then lab cells. Counts are exact and come from studies that gave the peptide.

Cortagen studies on cells, genes and aging

4 results · people 0 · animals 3 · lab 1

4 results

In mice, Cortagen changed cardiac expression of 234 clones matching 110 known genes compared with controls.Neuro endocrinology letters, 2004
In lab tests with rat tissue, Cortagen increased brain cortex explant growth.Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine, 2001
In mice, maximum cardiac gene upregulation after Cortagen was +5.42 compared with controls.Neuro endocrinology letters, 2004
In mice, maximum cardiac gene downregulation after Cortagen was -2.86 compared with controls.Neuro endocrinology letters, 2004

Cortagen studies on blood and clotting

3 results · people 0 · animals 3 · lab 0

3 results

In chickens and old birds, cortagene injections did not affect coagulation parameters.Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii, 2008
In chickens and old birds, cortagene injections did not affect erythrocyte parameters.Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii, 2008
In chickens and old birds, cortagene injections did not affect fibrinolysis.Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii, 2008

Cortagen studies on brain and nerves

3 results · people 0 · animals 3 · lab 0

3 results

In rats after sciatic nerve injury and repair, cortagen increased regenerating nerve fiber growth rate by 27%.Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine, 2000
In rats with brain ischemia and different hypoxia resistance, cortagen accelerated behavioral recovery.Eksperimental'naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia, 2011
In rats after sciatic nerve injury and repair, cortagen increased regenerating nerve fiber conduction velocity by 40%.Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine, 2000

Cortagen studies on immune system and inflammation

8 results · people 0 · animals 2 · lab 6

Top 3 of 8 results

In chickens and old birds, cortagene injections did not affect cellular immunity.Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii, 2008
In chickens and old birds, cortagene injections did not affect humoral immunity.Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii, 2008
In cells from mice, Cortagen did not stimulate thymocyte proliferation with a mitogen.Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine, 2002

Trials and papers

Cortagen trials

Registered trials that test the peptide, with phase, status and dates. A dot marks trials with posted results.

StatusPhase

0 trials match. Highest phase first. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

No trial matches these filters.

Papers

Studies on this peptide. Some have results. The others have none yet.

Sort

Design

15 studies match. Retracted studies are left out.

Showing 9 of 15 studiesquery qry_7a45d850539a341bfdd415c6

Studies with results

8 studies

Animal study (in vivo) · mouse · 2004

3 results

Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray.

Anisimov et al. 2004Neuro endocrinology letterscited by 8

PMID 15159690PUB-15159690

Full text at the publisher3 results where Cortagen (AEDP) was given

Publisher page See results (3)

In vitro (cells) · mouse · 2002

5 results

Effects of short peptides on thymocyte blast transformation and signal transduction along the sphingomyelin pathway.

VKh et al. 2002Bulletin of experimental biology and medicinecited by 4

PMID 12420072DOI 10.1023/a:1019830308824PUB-12420072

Full text at the publisher3 results where Cortagen (AEDP) was given

Publisher page See results (5)

Animal study (in vivo) · rat · 2000

2 results

Effect of tetrapeptide cortagen on regeneration of sciatic nerve.

Turchaninova et al. 2000Bulletin of experimental biology and medicinecited by 3

PMID 11276314DOI 10.1023/a:1017532001908PUB-11276314

Full text at the publisher2 results where Cortagen (AEDP) was given

Publisher page See results (2)

Ex vivo tissue · rat · 2001

4 results

Tissue-specific effects of peptides.

Khavinson et al. 2001Bulletin of experimental biology and medicinecited by 3

PMID 11713572DOI 10.1023/a:1013058701974PUB-11713572

Full text at the publisher1 result where Cortagen (AEDP) was given

Publisher page See results (4)

In vitro (cells) · mouse · 2002

4 results

In vitro effect of short peptides on expression of interleukin-2 gene in splenocytes.

Kazakova et al. 2002Bulletin of experimental biology and medicinecited by 3

PMID 12447482DOI 10.1023/a:1020210615148PUB-12447482

Full text at the publisher3 results where Cortagen (AEDP) was given

Publisher page See results (4)

Not a test of Cortagen (AEDP) alone · 2007

8 results

Effects of bioactive tetrapeptides on free-radical processes.

Kozina et al. 2007Bulletin of experimental biology and medicinecited by 2

PMID 18239817DOI 10.1007/s10517-007-0230-8PUB-18239817

Full text at the publisher5 results where Cortagen (AEDP) was a tool, carrier or part of a combination

Publisher page See results (8)

Animal study (in vivo) · chicken · 2008

8 results

[Effects of epithalon and cortagene on immunity and hemostasis in neonatally hypophysectomized chicken and old birds].

Kuznik et al. 2008Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologiicited by 1

PMID 19432169PUB-19432169

Full text at the publisher5 results where Cortagen (AEDP) was given

Publisher page See results (8)

Animal study (in vivo) · rat · 2011

4 results

[Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia].

Zarubina et al. 2011Eksperimental'naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiiacited by 1

PMID 21476278PUB-21476278

Full text at the publisher1 result where Cortagen (AEDP) was given

Publisher page See results (4)

More studies

1 study

Indexing hint: Animal study · 2002

The delayed effect of cortagen on the restoration of injured nerve function.

Kolosova et al. 2002Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections

PMID 12134478DOI 10.1023/a:1016098302564PUB-12134478

Full text at the publisher

Publisher page

No result for Cortagen (AEDP) (6 studies on this page)

These studies name Cortagen (AEDP) but give no result for it (for example, the results concern another peptide in the study).

PubMed tag: Comparative Study · 2005

1 result

Synthesis of IL-2 mRNA in cells of rat hypothalamic structures after injection of short peptides.

Kazakova et al. 2005Bulletin of experimental biology and medicinecited by 4

PMID 16224591DOI 10.1007/s10517-005-0388-xPUB-16224591

Full text at the publisher1 result

Publisher page See results (1)

Indexing hint: In vitro study · 2004

8 results

Effects of short peptides on lymphocyte chromatin in senile subjects.

VKh et al. 2004Bulletin of experimental biology and medicinecited by 2

PMID 15085253DOI 10.1023/b:bebm.0000024393.40560.05PUB-15085253

Full text at the publisher8 results

Publisher page See results (8)

PubMed tag: Comparative Study · 2002

1 result

[Tissue-specific action of peptides in tissue culture of rats of various ages].

VKh et al. 2002Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologiicited by 1

PMID 12096446PUB-12096446

Full text at the publisher1 result

Publisher page See results (1)

PubMed tag: Comparative Study · 2006

1 result

Production of lymphocyte-activating factors by mouse macrophages during aging and under the effect of short peptides.

Gumen et al. 2006Bulletin of experimental biology and medicinecited by 1

PMID 17426849DOI 10.1007/s10517-006-0366-yPUB-17426849

Full text at the publisher1 result

Publisher page See results (1)

PubMed tag: none · 2023

3 results

EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON THE "OLD" CHROMATIN.

Lezhava et al. 2023Georgian medical newscited by 1

PMID 37042594PUB-37042594

Full text at the publisher3 results

Publisher page See results (3)

PubMed tag: none · 2020

5 results

EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON "AGED" HETEROCHROMATIN.

Lezhava et al. 2020Georgian medical news

PMID 33526740PUB-33526740

Full text at the publisher5 results

Publisher page See results (5)

Newer studies

PepBank reads each paper before it shows the results. This search looks in Europe PMC for newer papers that PepBank has not read yet.

Cortagen (AEDP) studies: 8 papers with results

Page 1 of 1

Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray.
Anisimov SV · Neuro endocrinology letters · 2004
Animal study (in vivo) · mouse · 3 results
Effect of tetrapeptide cortagen on regeneration of sciatic nerve.
Turchaninova LN · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2000
Animal study (in vivo) · rat · 2 results
[Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia].
Zarubina IV · Eksperimental'naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia · 2011
Animal study (in vivo) · rat · 4 results
[Effects of epithalon and cortagene on immunity and hemostasis in neonatally hypophysectomized chicken and old birds].
Kuznik BI · Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii · 2008
Animal study (in vivo) · chicken · 8 results
Tissue-specific effects of peptides.
Khavinson VK · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2001
Ex vivo tissue · rat · 4 results
Effects of short peptides on thymocyte blast transformation and signal transduction along the sphingomyelin pathway.
Khavinson VKh · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002
In vitro (cells) · mouse · 5 results
In vitro effect of short peptides on expression of interleukin-2 gene in splenocytes.
Kazakova TB · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002
In vitro (cells) · mouse · 4 results
Effects of bioactive tetrapeptides on free-radical processes.
Kozina LS · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2007
Not a test of Cortagen (AEDP) alone · 8 results

Status and safety

Regulatory and safety

Approval and sport status, and the safety outcomes reported in study results. Laws and labels change, so check the regulator for the current status.

Regulatory status by jurisdiction, with date and source
Jurisdiction	Body	Status	As of	Source
US	FDA	The cited Drugs@FDA query returned NOT_FOUND for Cortagen and Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro in brand and active ingredient fields. This search does not establish complete FDA approval status. Other spelling variants and compounding status remain unresolved.	21 Oct 2026	api.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
EU	EMA	The EMA central dataset contained 2,754 records. No record matched Cortagen, Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, AEDP or CAS 335591-03-2. EU national authorisations remain unresolved. This central search does not establish complete EU approval status.	21 Oct 2026	ema.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
Sport	WADA	Status unknown The peptide is not named in the 2026 list.	2026 List	wada-ama.org (opens in a new tab)
Russia	Note	Human medicine registration was not established. The Russian medicine register was accessible, but a complete name and formulation search remains unresolved.	21 Oct 2026	grls.rosminzdrav.ru (opens in a new tab)

Safety outcomes

Reported effects from study results.

No safety results from studies in people

The studies with results report no safety outcomes for this peptide. That does not mean it is safe.

Doses studied · 1

The doses that these studies used. They are not recommendations.

10 microg/kgAnimal
Species
rat
Route
intramuscular
Duration
10 days
Design
Animal study (in vivo)

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.

Data

Data and API

Data version, change history and code for this peptide.

Data version 30856030 Oct 2026

Peptide

Peptide id: PEP-000093
Peptide version: 4
Peptide hash: e7928831402b7859…
Data version: 308560

Latest changes

27 Oct 2026UpdatedData version 256659
22 Oct 2026UpdatedData version 254503
21 Oct 2026UpdatedData version 228022
21 Oct 2026CreatedData version 226691

For developers

curl -s https://pepbank.io/v1/briefs/cortagen

Evidence summary for Cortagen (AEDP): counts by class, key results with sources, notices, data version.

Peptide as JSON Evidence summary as JSON

Outcome group	Human	Animal	Lab	Computer model	Total
Immune responseImmune and inflammation	No results	Animal: 2 results from 1 study: 2 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 6 results from 2 studies: 1 increase, 3 decrease, 2 no significant change. Strongest design: In vitro (cells)	No results	8
Gene expressionCardiovascular	No results	Animal: 3 results from 1 study: 1 increase, 1 decrease, 1 mixed. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	3
NeuroprotectionNervous system and cognition	No results	Animal: 3 results from 2 studies: 3 increase. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	3
Bleeding and clottingCardiovascular	No results	Animal: 2 results from 1 study: 2 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	2
Blood counts and hematopoiesisWhole body	No results	Animal: 1 result from 1 study: 1 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	1
Cell proliferation and differentiationNervous system and cognition	No results	No results	Lab: 1 result from 1 study: 1 increase. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	1

Outcome group	Human	Animal	Lab	Computer model	Total
Immune responseImmune and inflammation	No results	Animal: 2 results from 1 study: 2 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 6 results from 2 studies: 1 increase, 3 decrease, 2 no significant change. Strongest design: In vitro (cells)	No results	8
Gene expressionCardiovascular	No results	Animal: 3 results from 1 study: 1 increase, 1 decrease, 1 mixed. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	3
NeuroprotectionNervous system and cognition	No results	Animal: 3 results from 2 studies: 3 increase. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	3
Bleeding and clottingCardiovascular	No results	Animal: 2 results from 1 study: 2 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	2
Blood counts and hematopoiesisWhole body	No results	Animal: 1 result from 1 study: 1 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	1
Cell proliferation and differentiationNervous system and cognition	No results	No results	Lab: 1 result from 1 study: 1 increase. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	1

Cortagen (AEDP) studies and research data

Cortagen identity

Targets

Sequence and structure

Sequence

Properties

Net charge by pH

Composition

3D structure

2D structure

Cortagen results by year and outcome

What the studies measured

Cortagen studies on cells, genes and aging

Cortagen studies on blood and clotting

Cortagen studies on brain and nerves

Cortagen studies on immune system and inflammation

Cortagen trials

Papers

Studies with results

Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray.

Effects of short peptides on thymocyte blast transformation and signal transduction along the sphingomyelin pathway.

Effect of tetrapeptide cortagen on regeneration of sciatic nerve.

Tissue-specific effects of peptides.

In vitro effect of short peptides on expression of interleukin-2 gene in splenocytes.

Effects of bioactive tetrapeptides on free-radical processes.

[Effects of epithalon and cortagene on immunity and hemostasis in neonatally hypophysectomized chicken and old birds].

[Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia].

More studies

The delayed effect of cortagen on the restoration of injured nerve function.

Synthesis of IL-2 mRNA in cells of rat hypothalamic structures after injection of short peptides.

Effects of short peptides on lymphocyte chromatin in senile subjects.

[Tissue-specific action of peptides in tissue culture of rats of various ages].

Production of lymphocyte-activating factors by mouse macrophages during aging and under the effect of short peptides.

EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON THE "OLD" CHROMATIN.

EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON "AGED" HETEROCHROMATIN.

Newer studies

Cortagen (AEDP) studies: 8 papers with results

Regulatory and safety

Doses studied · 1

Data and API

Peptide

Latest changes

For developers

Related peptides

Cortagen results by year and outcome

Cortagen studies on cells, genes and aging

Cortagen studies on blood and clotting

Cortagen studies on brain and nerves

Cortagen studies on immune system and inflammation

Cortagen trials

Papers

Studies with results

Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray.

Effects of short peptides on thymocyte blast transformation and signal transduction along the sphingomyelin pathway.

Effect of tetrapeptide cortagen on regeneration of sciatic nerve.

Tissue-specific effects of peptides.

In vitro effect of short peptides on expression of interleukin-2 gene in splenocytes.

Effects of bioactive tetrapeptides on free-radical processes.

[Effects of epithalon and cortagene on immunity and hemostasis in neonatally hypophysectomized chicken and old birds].

[Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia].

More studies

The delayed effect of cortagen on the restoration of injured nerve function.

Synthesis of IL-2 mRNA in cells of rat hypothalamic structures after injection of short peptides.

Effects of short peptides on lymphocyte chromatin in senile subjects.

[Tissue-specific action of peptides in tissue culture of rats of various ages].

Production of lymphocyte-activating factors by mouse macrophages during aging and under the effect of short peptides.

EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON THE "OLD" CHROMATIN.

EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON "AGED" HETEROCHROMATIN.

Cortagen (AEDP) studies: 8 papers with results

Regulatory and safety

Doses studied · 1

Data and API

Peptide

Latest changes

For developers