Cortagen
Also known as: Brain cortex bioregulator, Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro
Cortagen (also called Brain cortex bioregulator or Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) is a khavinson cortical bioregulator. Cortagen is Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, a synthetic tetrapeptide in the Khavinson series associated with cerebral cortex tissue. The mechanism proposed for the series is that short peptides pass into the nucleus and bind specific promoter regions of DNA, altering transcription of genes relevant to the tissue they were derived from.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 335591-03-2
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 430.4 g/mol
- Half-life
- —
- FDA status
- Not Approved
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Frequency
- —
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- Cortical neurons (proposed)
Research summary
Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, a synthetic tetrapeptide in the Khavinson bioregulator series associated with cerebral cortex tissue. Reported findings concern cortical neuron protein synthesis and nerve regeneration in animal models, published largely in Russian-language journals by a single research group without independent replication. No controlled human evidence exists, and it is not FDA-approved.
Peptide Library's Cortagen profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- Vendor research protocols only
- Frequency
- —
- Cycle
- —
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
- Injection Sites
- AbdomenThigh
- Timing Notes
- Educational catalog only — not medical advice
Not yet checked against primary sources
These figures are compiled from earlier reference material. They have not been verified against FDA labelling, registered trials or published literature, no citation is attached to them, and none of them is a recommended dose. Cortagen is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole librarySequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C17H26N4O9 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 430.4 g/mol |
| CAS number | 335591-03-2 |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder |
| Formulation | Lyophilized Powder |
| PubChem CID | 18439621 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Cortagen is Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, a synthetic tetrapeptide in the Khavinson series associated with cerebral cortex tissue. The mechanism proposed for the series is that short peptides pass into the nucleus and bind specific promoter regions of DNA, altering transcription of genes relevant to the tissue they were derived from. Reported findings concern cortical neuron protein synthesis and regeneration after nerve injury in animal models. The supporting work is almost entirely cell-culture and cytogenetic research from one group, published in Russian-language journals, without independent replication or any characterised receptor or signalling cascade.
Origin
Synthetic short peptide.
Targets
Studies
- [Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia]
- [Effects of epithalon and cortagene on immunity and hemostasis in neonatally hypophysectomized chicken and old birds]
- Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray
- The delayed effect of cortagen on the restoration of injured nerve function
- Effect of tetrapeptide cortagen on regeneration of sciatic nerve
Regulatory & research status
Cortagen is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use.
| FDA status | Not Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | Research-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | Research-Only |
Benefits
Potential Side Effects
Side Effects
- Not characterized
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Cortagen: frequently asked questions
What is Cortagen?
Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, a synthetic tetrapeptide in the Khavinson bioregulator series associated with cerebral cortex tissue. Reported findings concern cortical neuron protein synthesis and nerve regeneration in animal models, published largely in Russian-language journals by a single research group without independent replication. No controlled human evidence exists, and it is not FDA-approved.
How does Cortagen work?
Cortagen is Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, a synthetic tetrapeptide in the Khavinson series associated with cerebral cortex tissue. The mechanism proposed for the series is that short peptides pass into the nucleus and bind specific promoter regions of DNA, altering transcription of genes relevant to the tissue they were derived from.
Is Cortagen FDA approved?
No. Cortagen is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as research-only. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use.
What peptides are similar to Cortagen?
Compounds most often compared with Cortagen include Bonomarlot, Bronchogen, Cardiogen and Cartalax. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- [Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia] — Eksp Klin Farmakol, 2011External reference
- [Effects of epithalon and cortagene on immunity and hemostasis in neonatally hypophysectomized chicken and old birds] — Adv Gerontol, 2008External reference
- Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray — Neuro Endocrinol Lett, 2004External reference
- The delayed effect of cortagen on the restoration of injured nerve function — Dokl Biol Sci, 2002External reference
- Effect of tetrapeptide cortagen on regeneration of sciatic nerve — Bull Exp Biol Med, 2000External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Cortagen profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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