Cortexin
Also known as: Polypeptide cortex extract
Cortexin (also called Polypeptide cortex extract) is a brain polypeptide extract in the Neurotrophic peptide complex class. Cortexin is a preparation of low-molecular-weight polypeptides and amino acids extracted from bovine or porcine cerebral cortex, not a single defined compound. The proposed mechanism is that its peptide fraction supports neuronal metabolism and provides neurotrophic and antioxidant activity after injury, with claimed effects on cortical bioelectrical activity.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- —
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- Mixture
- Half-life
- Mixture; not a single PK value
- FDA status
- Not Approved
- Administration Route
- Intramuscular
- Frequency
- —
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- CNS metabolism (proposed)
Research summary
Cattle-cortex polypeptide extract used in some CIS countries as a nootropic. Not FDA-approved; composition is a hydrolysate, not a single peptide.
Peptide Library's Cortexin 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
- —
- Frequency
- —
- Cycle
- Short courses (e.g., 10–20 days) reported regionally
- Administration Route
- Intramuscular
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
- Injection Sites
- Abdomen
- Timing Notes
- Prefer injectable forms; oral versions generally have low bioavailability and are not recommended.
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. Cortexin is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole librarySequence & molecular data
| Molecular weight | Mixture |
|---|---|
| Half-life | Mixture; not a single PK value |
| Appearance | IM solution (region-dependent) |
| Formulation | Lyophilized Powder |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Cortexin is a preparation of low-molecular-weight polypeptides and amino acids extracted from bovine or porcine cerebral cortex, not a single defined compound. The proposed mechanism is that its peptide fraction supports neuronal metabolism and provides neurotrophic and antioxidant activity after injury, with claimed effects on cortical bioelectrical activity. Because it is a mixture rather than a characterised molecule, no specific receptor or pathway can be assigned, and batch composition is not standardised in the way a single-entity drug would be. It is used clinically in several post-Soviet countries; the supporting literature is largely regional and does not meet contemporary randomised controlled trial standards.
Origin
Bovine cortex polypeptide extract.
Targets
Studies
- [Therapeutic equivalence of intravenous and intramuscular dosage forms of Cortexin in ischemic strokes]
- Exploring the psychodermatologic burden and associated psychiatric manifestations in rosacea: a systemic review
- Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke
- [Cortexin. Molecular mechanisms and targets of neuroprotective activity]
- Cortexin modulates OPG/RANK/RANKL and TRPC1 expression in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury
Regulatory & research status
Cortexin 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
Cortexin side effects
Side Effects
- Allergy to animal protein
- Injection reactions
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.
Cortexin: frequently asked questions
What is Cortexin?
Cattle-cortex polypeptide extract used in some CIS countries as a nootropic. Not FDA-approved; composition is a hydrolysate, not a single peptide.
How does Cortexin work?
Cortexin is a preparation of low-molecular-weight polypeptides and amino acids extracted from bovine or porcine cerebral cortex, not a single defined compound. The proposed mechanism is that its peptide fraction supports neuronal metabolism and provides neurotrophic and antioxidant activity after injury, with claimed effects on cortical bioelectrical activity.
Is Cortexin FDA approved?
No. Cortexin 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 is the half-life of Cortexin?
Reported half-life for Cortexin is Mixture; not a single PK value. Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
What peptides are similar to Cortexin?
Compounds most often compared with Cortexin include Cerebrolysin, P21 (BDNF-mimetic peptide), Dihexa and Noopept. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- [Therapeutic equivalence of intravenous and intramuscular dosage forms of Cortexin in ischemic strokes] — Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova, 2025External reference
- Exploring the psychodermatologic burden and associated psychiatric manifestations in rosacea: a systemic review — Arch Dermatol Res, 2025External reference
- Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke — Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2023External reference
- [Cortexin. Molecular mechanisms and targets of neuroprotective activity] — Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova, 2015External reference
- Cortexin modulates OPG/RANK/RANKL and TRPC1 expression in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury — Neurol Res, 2026External 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 Cortexin 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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