Corticorelin
Corticorelin is a research peptide in the CRH Receptor Agonist class. Corticorelin binds CRH receptor type 1 on pituitary corticotrophs, stimulating ACTH and subsequently cortisol release. Pituitary adenomas typically retain CRH responsiveness while ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours usually do not, so the pattern of ACTH response after administration carries diagnostic information.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 9015-71-8
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 4757 g/mol
- Half-life
- —
- FDA status
- Approved
- Administration Route
- intravenous
- Frequency
- —
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
Research summary
Synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone approved as a diagnostic agent to help distinguish pituitary from ectopic sources of ACTH in ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome.
Peptide Library's Corticorelin 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
- —
- Administration Route
- intravenous
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
Sequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C208H344N60O63S2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 4757 g/mol |
| CAS number | 9015-71-8 |
| PubChem CID | 16186200 |
| FDA UNII | 305OE8862Y |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL2107324 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Corticorelin binds CRH receptor type 1 on pituitary corticotrophs, stimulating ACTH and subsequently cortisol release. Pituitary adenomas typically retain CRH responsiveness while ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours usually do not, so the pattern of ACTH response after administration carries diagnostic information. The ovine sequence is cleared more slowly than the human peptide, producing a longer response.
Studies
- Steroid-sparing effect of corticorelin acetate in peritumoral cerebral edema is associated with improvement in steroid-induced myopathy
- Corticorelin acetate injections for the treatment of peritumoral brain edema
- Corticorelin: ACTH RF, corticoliberin, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor, human corticotropin-releasing hormone, ovine corticotrophin-releasing factor, Xerecept
- A pharmacological tool to assess vasopressinergic co-activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis more integrally in healthy volunteers
- Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with nighttime-release prednisone
Regulatory & research status
Corticorelin is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Research status | Approved product (see FDA status) |
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
Benefits
—
Potential Side Effects
No side effects listed yet for this entry.
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.
Corticorelin: frequently asked questions
What is Corticorelin?
Synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone approved as a diagnostic agent to help distinguish pituitary from ectopic sources of ACTH in ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome.
How does Corticorelin work?
Corticorelin binds CRH receptor type 1 on pituitary corticotrophs, stimulating ACTH and subsequently cortisol release. Pituitary adenomas typically retain CRH responsiveness while ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours usually do not, so the pattern of ACTH response after administration carries diagnostic information.
Is Corticorelin FDA approved?
Yes. Corticorelin is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What peptides are similar to Corticorelin?
Compounds most often compared with Corticorelin include Angiotensin II, Cetrorelix, Cosyntropin and Degarelix. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- Steroid-sparing effect of corticorelin acetate in peritumoral cerebral edema is associated with improvement in steroid-induced myopathy — J Clin Oncol, 2013External reference
- Corticorelin acetate injections for the treatment of peritumoral brain edema — Expert Opin Investig Drugs, 2009External reference
- Corticorelin: ACTH RF, corticoliberin, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor, human corticotropin-releasing hormone, ovine corticotrophin-releasing factor, Xerecept — Drugs R D, 2004External reference
- A pharmacological tool to assess vasopressinergic co-activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis more integrally in healthy volunteers — J Psychopharmacol, 2011External reference
- Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with nighttime-release prednisone — J Rheumatol, 2010External 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 Corticorelin 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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