Pentapeptide-18 vs SLU-PP-332
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Skin & CosmeticAnti-Aging & Longevity
Pentapeptide-18Recovery & RepairFat Loss & Metabolic
SLU-PP-332- Summary
- Pentapeptide-18 (Leuphasyl) is a synthetic pentapeptide that mimics the sequence of enkephalin, an endogenous neuropeptide. It acts on neuronal pain receptors in facial muscles to reduce muscle contraction intensity and depth of expression lines, functioning similarly to Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) but via a different receptor mechanism.
- SLU-PP-332 is a small molecule exercise mimetic that activates estrogen-related receptors ERRalpha and ERRdelta (ERRa/d), transcription factors that drive oxidative metabolism programs. In animal studies it significantly enhanced endurance capacity and metabolic fitness without exercise, mimicking many of the cardiovascular and metabolic adaptations of aerobic training.
- Half-Life
- Not applicable (topical)
- Not established in humans; rodent pharmacokinetics suggest hours
- Admin Route
- Topical
- Oral (research), Subcutaneous (research)
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 0.005–0.05% in formulation
- Not established for humans; rodent studies used ~100 mg/kg/day
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Once daily in rodent studies
- Key Benefits
- Reduces depth of expression lines (forehead, crow's feet, glabellar)
- Inhibits acetylcholine release for muscle-relaxing effect
- Complementary mechanism to Argireline for enhanced anti-wrinkle activity
- Reversible and well-tolerated
- No risk of systemic paralysis at cosmetic concentrations
- Suitable for daily use in serums and creams
- Significant enhancement of aerobic endurance capacity
- Increases mitochondrial density and oxidative metabolism in muscle
- Promotes beneficial shift toward oxidative muscle fiber phenotype
- Improves cardiac efficiency and cardiovascular fitness markers
- Potential for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and heart failure treatment
- Exercise mimetic for populations unable to exercise (disability, frailty, disease)
- Side Effects
- Generally very well-tolerated topically
- Rare skin sensitivity or mild irritation
- Theoretical opioid receptor desensitization with very prolonged high-dose use (not documented cosmetically)
- Limited human data; all studies are preclinical (rodent)
- Unknown cardiovascular effects with long-term or high-dose use in humans
- Potential hormonal interactions via ERR pathway (ERRs modulate estrogen-related signaling)
- Off-target effects not fully characterized
- Stacks With
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