Skip to content
UKUSA

MOTS-c Research Peptides

Compare MOTS-c research products by labelled quantity, price per mg, testing evidence and product transparency. Read what the evidence actually shows for metabolism, exercise, ageing and muscle research, and where human treatment evidence is still missing.

Research-use products only. Not presented as supplements, medicines, or products for human or veterinary consumption.
4products compared
2labelled quantities
£2.00 – £5.00per mg
1with verified testing evidence

Top Picks

Best Overall

MOTS-C 10mgUK Peptides (ukpeptides.org)

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
33/45
Value
17/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Manufacturer COA
Manufacturer statement
"Independently Tested · Accredited External Lab"; "Lot-Matched CoAs Published"; "THIRD-PARTY HPLC-UV TESTING"; "Every batch independently tested by an accredited independent laboratory before dispatch."
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
UKP-MOTS-2608
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-08-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£2.50per mg
£24.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
UK Peptides (ukpeptides.org)
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£24.99
Listing last checked
2026-09-20 09:20:11
Evidence status
Manufacturer COA
Manufacturer statement
"Independently Tested · Accredited External Lab"; "Lot-Matched CoAs Published"; "THIRD-PARTY HPLC-UV TESTING"; "Every batch independently tested by an accredited independent laboratory before dispatch."
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
UKP-MOTS-2608
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-08-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-20

MOTS-C 10mg

UK Peptides (ukpeptides.org)
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
33/45
Value
17/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Manufacturer COA
Manufacturer statement
"Independently Tested · Accredited External Lab"; "Lot-Matched CoAs Published"; "THIRD-PARTY HPLC-UV TESTING"; "Every batch independently tested by an accredited independent laboratory before dispatch."
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
UKP-MOTS-2608
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-08-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£2.50per mg
£24.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now

Best Tested

MOTS-C 10mgUK Peptides (ukpeptides.org)

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
33/45
Value
17/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Manufacturer COA
Manufacturer statement
"Independently Tested · Accredited External Lab"; "Lot-Matched CoAs Published"; "THIRD-PARTY HPLC-UV TESTING"; "Every batch independently tested by an accredited independent laboratory before dispatch."
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
UKP-MOTS-2608
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-08-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£2.50per mg
£24.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
UK Peptides (ukpeptides.org)
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£24.99
Listing last checked
2026-09-20 09:20:11
Evidence status
Manufacturer COA
Manufacturer statement
"Independently Tested · Accredited External Lab"; "Lot-Matched CoAs Published"; "THIRD-PARTY HPLC-UV TESTING"; "Every batch independently tested by an accredited independent laboratory before dispatch."
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
UKP-MOTS-2608
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-08-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-20

MOTS-C 10mg

UK Peptides (ukpeptides.org)
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
33/45
Value
17/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Manufacturer COA
Manufacturer statement
"Independently Tested · Accredited External Lab"; "Lot-Matched CoAs Published"; "THIRD-PARTY HPLC-UV TESTING"; "Every batch independently tested by an accredited independent laboratory before dispatch."
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
UKP-MOTS-2608
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-08-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£2.50per mg
£24.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now

Lowest Price per mg

MOTS-C 40mgReta Research

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
12/45
Value
20/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
40 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Lyophilised powder offered in 10mg and 40mg vials, ≥99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa} purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request. Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested and dispatched fast across the UK.
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£2.00per mg
£80.00per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
Reta Research
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£80.00
Listing last checked
2026-09-20 09:20:11
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Lyophilised powder offered in 10mg and 40mg vials, ≥99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa} purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request. Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested and dispatched fast across the UK.
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20

MOTS-C 40mg

Reta Research
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
12/45
Value
20/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Lyophilised powder offered in 10mg and 40mg vials, ≥99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa} purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request. Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested and dispatched fast across the UK.
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£2.00per mg
£80.00per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now

Compare research products

Vial size
Research peptide product comparison
#ProductQuantityPrice / vialPrice / mgTestingScore
1MOTS-C 10mgUK Peptides (ukpeptides.org)10 mg / vial£24.99per vial£2.50per mgTesting evidence
Evidence status
Manufacturer COA
Manufacturer statement
"Independently Tested · Accredited External Lab"; "Lot-Matched CoAs Published"; "THIRD-PARTY HPLC-UV TESTING"; "Every batch independently tested by an accredited independent laboratory before dispatch."
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
UKP-MOTS-2608
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-08-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
33/45
Value
17/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.		Buy Now
2MOTS-C 40mgReta Research40 mg / vial£80.00per vial£2.00per mgTesting evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Lyophilised powder offered in 10mg and 40mg vials, ≥99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa} purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request. Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested and dispatched fast across the UK.
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
12/45
Value
20/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.		Buy Now
3MOTS-C 10mgReta Research10 mg / vial£25.00per vial£2.50per mgTesting evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Lyophilised powder offered in 10mg and 40mg vials, ≥99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa} purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request. Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested and dispatched fast across the UK.
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
12/45
Value
17/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.		Buy Now
4MOTS-c 10 mgUK Peptides (ukpeptides.com)10 mg / vial£49.99per vial£5.00per mgTesting evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Page claims “independently verified by HPLC and LC-MS before release,” “99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa}+ HPLC purity,” and “Every batch is sent to an independent accredited lab for HPLC purity and LC-MS identity testing before it's released.”
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
10/45
Value
7/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
3/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.		Buy Now
#1

MOTS-C 10mgUK Peptides (ukpeptides.org)

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
33/45
Value
17/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Manufacturer COA
Manufacturer statement
"Independently Tested · Accredited External Lab"; "Lot-Matched CoAs Published"; "THIRD-PARTY HPLC-UV TESTING"; "Every batch independently tested by an accredited independent laboratory before dispatch."
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
UKP-MOTS-2608
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-08-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£2.50per mg
£24.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
UK Peptides (ukpeptides.org)
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£24.99
Listing last checked
2026-09-20 09:20:11
Evidence status
Manufacturer COA
Manufacturer statement
"Independently Tested · Accredited External Lab"; "Lot-Matched CoAs Published"; "THIRD-PARTY HPLC-UV TESTING"; "Every batch independently tested by an accredited independent laboratory before dispatch."
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
UKP-MOTS-2608
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-08-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
#2

MOTS-C 40mgReta Research

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
12/45
Value
20/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
40 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Lyophilised powder offered in 10mg and 40mg vials, ≥99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa} purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request. Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested and dispatched fast across the UK.
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£2.00per mg
£80.00per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
Reta Research
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£80.00
Listing last checked
2026-09-20 09:20:11
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Lyophilised powder offered in 10mg and 40mg vials, ≥99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa} purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request. Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested and dispatched fast across the UK.
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
#3

MOTS-C 10mgReta Research

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
12/45
Value
17/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Lyophilised powder offered in 10mg and 40mg vials, ≥99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa} purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request. Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested and dispatched fast across the UK.
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£2.50per mg
£25.00per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
Reta Research
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£25.00
Listing last checked
2026-09-20 09:20:11
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Lyophilised powder offered in 10mg and 40mg vials, ≥99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa} purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request. Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested and dispatched fast across the UK.
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
#4

MOTS-c 10 mgUK Peptides (ukpeptides.com)

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
10/45
Value
7/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
3/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Page claims “independently verified by HPLC and LC-MS before release,” “99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa}+ HPLC purity,” and “Every batch is sent to an independent accredited lab for HPLC purity and LC-MS identity testing before it's released.”
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20
£5.00per mg
£49.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
UK Peptides (ukpeptides.com)
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£49.99
Listing last checked
2026-09-20 09:20:11
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Page claims “independently verified by HPLC and LC-MS before release,” “99{4126ccafc2fa8f847ceaeb6a91497cc67cd381373337e0df85dd9df95f3d94fa}+ HPLC purity,” and “Every batch is sent to an independent accredited lab for HPLC purity and LC-MS identity testing before it's released.”
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-20

What is MOTS-c?

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by a short open reading frame within mitochondrial 12S rRNA. Its sequence is MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR. [S1][S2][S3] It was first described in 2015 as a mitochondrial-derived signalling peptide involved in metabolic homeostasis, with skeletal muscle identified as an important target in mouse experiments. [S3] Later laboratory work found that MOTS-c can also move into the nucleus during metabolic stress and alter nuclear gene expression through AMPK-linked pathways. [S4] Most intervention evidence remains preclinical; published human research has mainly measured endogenous MOTS-c or studied genetic variation rather than administering the native peptide.

MOTS-c free base, MOTS-c acetate, MOTS-c TFA-labelled materials and analogues such as CB4211 should not be assumed to be chemically or clinically interchangeable. [S14][S19][S20]

What does the MOTS-c research actually show?

The strongest intervention findings are still from cells and animals. The 2015 discovery paper reported improved insulin sensitivity and resistance to diet-induced obesity in mice, while later mouse studies examined exercise capacity, muscle atrophy and bone loss. [S3][S5][S11][S12] Human studies have shown that endogenous MOTS-c changes with exercise, age, obesity and mitochondrial genetic variation, but these observational or biomarker findings do not show what administering synthetic MOTS-c would do to a person. [S5][S6][S7][S8][S9] In its 2026 review, FDA said it did not identify published human administration studies, human pharmacokinetic studies or human safety/effectiveness data for MOTS-c free base or acetate. [S14]

Metabolic research

Mouse studies report effects on insulin sensitivity, glucose handling and diet-induced obesity, with AMPK-linked mechanisms implicated.

Preclinical evidence

Exercise and ageing

Exercise increased endogenous MOTS-c in a small human study, while administered MOTS-c improved physical capacity in mice of different ages.

Human biomarker + animal intervention

Muscle research

Recent mouse and human-cell studies report protection against experimental muscle atrophy, but there is no administered-MOTS-c human muscle trial.

Cell and animal evidence

Human treatment evidence

FDA's 2026 evidence review found no published studies administering MOTS-c free base or acetate to humans.

Major evidence gap
Research areaWhat was studiedEvidence level
Metabolism / insulin resistanceCells and mouse models of metabolic stress, ageing and high-fat feedingPreclinical intervention evidence
Exercise / physical capacityEndogenous MOTS-c measured in people after exercise; synthetic MOTS-c administered to miceHuman biomarker + animal intervention
Muscle atrophyMouse immobilisation models and cultured human skeletal muscle cellsPreclinical / laboratory
Human therapeutic useNo published native-MOTS-c administration study identified by FDA in 2026Evidence gap

Human measurements of naturally occurring MOTS-c are not equivalent to clinical trials of a synthetic research peptide.

MOTS-c, insulin sensitivity and weight: mostly mouse evidence

The 2015 discovery study is the main source behind metabolic and weight-loss claims. It identified MOTS-c as a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial peptide and reported that administered MOTS-c prevented age-dependent and high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance and diet-induced obesity in mice. [S3] Mechanistic work linked these effects to inhibition of one-carbon and purine metabolism, accumulation of AICAR and activation of AMPK. [S3][S4] Human studies have found associations between endogenous MOTS-c levels and metabolic measures, including lower circulating levels in obese male children and adolescents, but association does not establish that giving MOTS-c causes weight loss or improves insulin resistance in people. [S7]

Mouse obesity models

Administered MOTS-c reduced diet-induced weight gain and improved insulin sensitivity in mouse experiments.

Animal evidence

Human associations

Circulating MOTS-c has been associated with obesity and insulin-resistance measures in observational human studies, but the peptide was not administered.

Observational human evidence

Genetic evidence

A K14Q MOTS-c mitochondrial variant was associated with higher type 2 diabetes prevalence in men across three cohorts, with laboratory and mouse work suggesting reduced peptide activity.

Human genetics + preclinical

No controlled human weight-loss or insulin-sensitivity trial of administered native MOTS-c was established by the published evidence reviewed. [S14]

Exercise, physical performance and longevity: separate human biomarkers from mouse treatment

In a 2021 study, ten healthy young men completed high-intensity cycling and showed increases in endogenous MOTS-c in skeletal muscle and serum after exercise. [S5] The same paper administered synthetic MOTS-c to mice and reported improved treadmill performance in young, middle-aged and old animals. Late-life intermittent treatment also improved several measures of physical capacity in old mice. [S5] The paper reported higher median and maximum lifespan in treated mice, but the overall survival curve only showed a non-significant trend (P=0.23), so it does not establish that MOTS-c extends lifespan. [S5] A separate 16-week exercise study in breast-cancer survivors found ethnicity-dependent changes in endogenous circulating MOTS-c; again, exercise was the intervention, not MOTS-c. [S6]

Exercise response in people

Endogenous MOTS-c rose after exercise in a 10-man experiment. This demonstrates an exercise-associated biomarker response, not a treatment effect.

Human biomarker study

Physical capacity in mice

Administered MOTS-c improved treadmill performance and late-life physical-capacity measures in mouse experiments.

Animal intervention

Lifespan claim

Median and maximum lifespan were higher in one late-life mouse experiment, but the overall survival curve was not statistically significant.

Not established

There is no published human trial showing that administered native MOTS-c improves endurance, athletic performance, healthspan or lifespan. [S14]

What human MOTS-c research actually measures

Most human MOTS-c papers measure the peptide already present in the body rather than administering it. Circulating MOTS-c was lower in obese male children and adolescents in one case-control study, and an ageing study found lower circulating levels with age but higher skeletal-muscle expression in middle-aged and older men. [S7][S8] Exercise studies have measured changes in endogenous MOTS-c after physical activity. [S5][S6] A large genetic analysis of 27,527 people linked the K14Q MOTS-c mitochondrial variant with higher type 2 diabetes prevalence in men, particularly alongside low physical activity. [S9] These findings support biological relevance, but they do not establish therapeutic effects of a synthetic product.

Obesity association

40 obese children/adolescents and 57 controls were studied; lower circulating MOTS-c was mainly observed in the male subgroup.

Observational

Ageing and muscle

In healthy men, circulating MOTS-c fell with age while skeletal-muscle expression was higher in middle-aged and older groups.

Cross-sectional

K14Q variant

A meta-analysis across three cohorts totalling 27,527 participants linked a less-active MOTS-c variant with higher male type 2 diabetes prevalence.

Human genetics

Measurement methods also need caution: a 2019 doping-control study found large differences between ELISA and LC/MS estimates, and endogenous concentrations measured by ELISA in 20 healthy people could not be confirmed by LC/MS. [S10]

MOTS-c and muscle atrophy: promising preclinical work, not a human treatment result

Muscle research has expanded beyond the original metabolic studies. In a 2024 mouse immobilisation model, untreated immobilisation reduced muscle mass by about 15%, while mice given 15 mg/kg/day MOTS-c lost about 5%; the study also reported changes in inflammatory markers, AKT/FOXO signalling and muscle lipid infiltration. [S11] A 2026 laboratory study using primary human skeletal-muscle cells found that MOTS-c co-treatment preserved myotube area and altered atrophy-related signalling during dexamethasone exposure. [S21] These are useful mechanistic findings, but cultured human cells are not a clinical trial and the mouse dosing cannot be converted into a human protocol.

Immobilisation model

MOTS-c attenuated muscle loss in immobilised mice and reduced lipid infiltration in skeletal muscle.

Animal evidence

Human muscle cells

MOTS-c protected cultured primary human myotubes from several dexamethasone-induced atrophy changes.

Cell-culture evidence

No administered-MOTS-c clinical trial for sarcopenia, muscle gain or exercise recovery was identified in the published human evidence. [S14]

A newer research area: host defence and immune signalling

A 2026 eLife paper identified a new preclinical role for MOTS-c as a mitochondrial-encoded host-defence peptide. [S13] The study reported direct antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in laboratory experiments, neutralisation of MRSA infectivity in a mouse peritonitis model, and induction of endogenous MOTS-c in human monocytes by interferon-gamma, lipopolysaccharide and differentiation signals. Exogenous MOTS-c also altered macrophage differentiation in mouse-cell experiments. [S13] This extends the biology of MOTS-c beyond metabolism, but it is not evidence that MOTS-c treats infection in people.

FindingModelWhat can be concluded
Direct antibacterial activityLaboratory E. coli and MRSA experimentsPreclinical antimicrobial activity
MRSA protectionMouse acute-peritonitis modelAnimal host-defence signal
Endogenous MOTS-c inductionHuman monocytes exposed to immune signalsHuman-cell biological response
Macrophage reprogrammingMouse monocyte/macrophage experimentsMechanistic immune evidence

No human infection-treatment trial of MOTS-c was identified.

Bone research is preclinical

MOTS-c has also been investigated in bone-loss models. In a mouse ovariectomy model, daily MOTS-c administration for 12 weeks was associated with less bone loss and reduced osteoclast differentiation, with AMPK signalling implicated. [S12] This is why osteoporosis appears in some regulatory and research discussions, but the finding is animal evidence and does not establish a human osteoporosis treatment.

FDA's 2026 review found no human effectiveness data for MOTS-c in osteoporosis. [S14]

Human trials: native MOTS-c, a registry integrity problem, and a separate analogue

FDA's July 2026 evidence review said it did not identify published studies in which MOTS-c free base or acetate had been administered to humans. [S14] ClinicalTrials.gov now displays NCT07505745, a 120-participant Phase 2a study labelled as subcutaneous MOTS-c in adults with prediabetes and overweight or obesity. [S17] However, its sponsor, Hudson Biotech, also registered NCT07487363, whose official ClinicalTrials.gov summary explicitly says it is a fictional example study. [S18] For that reason, NCT07505745 is recorded here as a registry entry with an integrity concern and is not counted as credible human efficacy evidence without independent verification. A genuine completed Phase 1 study, NCT03998514, tested CB4211 in 88 participants, but CB4211 is described in the literature as a MOTS-c analogue rather than native MOTS-c. [S19][S20]

RecordStatus at 19 Sep 2026How to interpret it
NCT07505745 (MOTS-MET)Recruiting as stated; Phase 2a; 120 estimatedNative-MOTS-c-labelled record, but sponsor integrity requires independent verification before treating it as credible human evidence
NCT03998514 (CB4211)Completed Phase 1; 88 actualReal human trial of a MOTS-c analogue, not native MOTS-c; registry results not posted
NCT07487363Registry displays recruitingSame Hudson Biotech sponsor; official summary explicitly says this is a fictional example study

Trial registration is not evidence that a treatment works. Native MOTS-c and CB4211 must remain separate compounds in the editorial record.

What is the half-life of MOTS-c?

A validated human systemic half-life for administered MOTS-c has not been established. FDA's 2026 review found no human pharmacokinetic studies. [S14] A 2019 laboratory study incubated MOTS-c in human blood and identified rapid proteolytic fragments, but that is an in-vitro metabolism experiment rather than a human pharmacokinetic trial. [S10] Specific online half-life figures should therefore not be presented as established human MOTS-c pharmacokinetics.

Do not substitute in-vitro degradation, animal exposure or an analogue's pharmacokinetics for a measured human native-MOTS-c half-life.

MOTS-c dosage in research: what was actually studied?

Published intervention protocols are predominantly animal experiments, not human dosing studies. [S3][S5][S11][S12][S14] Reporting these values describes research methodology only; they must not be converted into a consumer or injectable regimen.

Research contextProtocol detail directly reportedWhat it means
Diet-induced metabolic researchMouse studies used study-specific intraperitoneal MOTS-c regimens, including 0.5 mg/kg/day in an obesity armAnimal metabolic methodology only
Late-life physical-performance researchOld mice received 15 mg/kg intermittently three times per week in the late-life experimentAnimal ageing/healthspan methodology only
Immobilisation muscle atrophy15 mg/kg/day in mice for 8 daysAnimal muscle-atrophy protocol only
Ovariectomy bone-loss model5 mg/kg once daily in mice for 12 weeksAnimal bone-research protocol only
Human native MOTS-cNo validated published administration protocol identified by FDANo human research dose can be established

Do not convert animal doses to humans by body weight or surface area. Do not provide reconstitution, injection-site, frequency or administration instructions.

Side effects and safety: the human evidence gap is the main finding

Reliable human side-effect frequencies cannot be given because FDA's 2026 review found no published human administration or pharmacokinetic studies for MOTS-c free base or acetate. [S14] FDA also found major gaps in acute, repeat-dose, genotoxicity, reproductive and carcinogenicity testing and said the potential safety risks in humans are unknown. [S14] For proposed injectable products, FDA highlighted uncertainty around peptide aggregation, impurities, microbial controls and possible immunogenicity. [S14] These concerns are about the lack of evidence and product characterisation; they do not justify inventing a list of 'common MOTS-c side effects'.

Human exposure

No published human administration dataset for native MOTS-c free base or acetate was identified by FDA.

Major evidence gap

Toxicology

FDA reported important gaps in acute, repeat-dose, genetic, reproductive and carcinogenicity toxicology data.

Evidence incomplete

Product quality

FDA highlighted peptide aggregation, impurity profiles, endotoxin/microbial controls and potential immunogenicity as unresolved issues for injectable materials.

Regulatory concern

The FDA review is U.S. compounding context, not a UK legal classification. No specific current MHRA MOTS-c decision was verified in this research pass.

MOTS-c and competitive sport

The World Anti-Doping Agency's 2026 Prohibited List explicitly names MOTS-c under S4.4.1 as an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase. [S16] S4 substances are prohibited at all times, in and out of competition. Athletes subject to WADA rules should therefore treat exogenous MOTS-c as prohibited.

Anti-doping status does not establish clinical effectiveness or safety.

How to compare MOTS-c research products

When product records are added later, the comparison should focus on verifiable product facts rather than claims about weight loss, endurance or longevity. Labelled quantity and pack price allow a consistent price-per-mg calculation. Testing evidence should distinguish independently verifiable laboratory documentation from manufacturer COAs, unsupported claims and cases where no evidence was located. Exact chemical form matters: FDA treats MOTS-c free base and MOTS-c acetate as distinct bulk drug substances and identified characterisation gaps around impurities, aggregation, microbial bioburden and endotoxin. [S14]

Exact form

Record whether the product is labelled free base, acetate or another form; do not silently collapse different chemical mass bases.

Labelled quantity

Record the stated amount per vial or unit and keep pack totals separate.

Price per mg

Use one consistent labelled-quantity basis rather than a claimed human dose.

Testing evidence

Separate independent laboratory evidence, manufacturer COAs, unsupported testing claims and cases where no public evidence was located.

Compound-level research does not verify the identity, purity, sterility or safety of a particular third-party MOTS-c product.

Frequently asked questions

What is MOTS-c?

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by a short open reading frame within mitochondrial 12S rRNA. Its sequence is MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR.

What benefits of MOTS-c are actually supported by research?

The strongest intervention evidence is preclinical. Mouse studies report effects on insulin sensitivity, diet-induced obesity, physical capacity, muscle atrophy and bone loss. Human studies mainly measure endogenous MOTS-c or genetic variation rather than giving the peptide to participants.

Has MOTS-c been tested in humans?

Published human studies have measured naturally occurring MOTS-c, exercise responses and genetic variants. FDA's 2026 review did not identify published studies administering native MOTS-c free base or acetate to humans. A ClinicalTrials.gov record now labels a Phase 2a study as MOTS-c, but its sponsor has also posted an explicitly fictional example trial, so that record needs independent verification before being treated as credible human evidence.

Does MOTS-c cause weight loss?

MOTS-c reduced diet-induced weight gain in mouse research, but no controlled human weight-loss trial of administered native MOTS-c was established by the published evidence reviewed. Human observational studies cannot answer what synthetic MOTS-c would do to body weight.

Does MOTS-c improve exercise performance?

Administered MOTS-c improved physical performance in mouse experiments. In people, exercise itself increased endogenous MOTS-c in small studies. There is no published human trial showing that administered native MOTS-c improves endurance or athletic performance.

Does MOTS-c extend lifespan?

One late-life mouse study reported higher median and maximum lifespan with MOTS-c, but the overall survival curve showed only a non-significant trend. No human lifespan or healthspan trial of administered MOTS-c has been published.

What is the half-life of MOTS-c?

A validated human systemic half-life has not been established. FDA found no human pharmacokinetic study, and laboratory work showing rapid peptide breakdown in human blood does not provide a clinical half-life.

What doses of MOTS-c have been studied?

Published intervention protocols are mainly animal studies using different doses, schedules and models. FDA found no published native-MOTS-c human administration study, so there is no validated human research dose to report.

What side effects does MOTS-c cause?

Reliable human side-effect frequencies are not available because published native-MOTS-c human exposure data are lacking. FDA also identified substantial toxicology and injectable-product-characterisation gaps, including possible immunogenicity concerns from peptide aggregates and impurities.

What is CB4211 and is it the same as MOTS-c?

CB4211 is a MOTS-c analogue rather than native MOTS-c. A completed 88-participant Phase 1 study tested CB4211, but its results cannot be transferred directly to MOTS-c and ClinicalTrials.gov has no posted results for that trial.

What is the MOTS-c K14Q variant?

K14Q is a naturally occurring mitochondrial genetic variant that changes amino acid 14 of MOTS-c. A meta-analysis of three cohorts totalling 27,527 participants associated the variant with higher type 2 diabetes prevalence in men, and accompanying laboratory and mouse work suggested reduced MOTS-c activity.

Is MOTS-c banned in sport?

Yes under WADA rules. The 2026 Prohibited List explicitly names MOTS-c under S4.4.1 as an AMPK activator, and S4 substances are prohibited at all times.

Sources & methodology

We separate animal models, observational human studies and ongoing trials. Scientific evidence is assessed independently of future supplier documentation. How we verify testing →

Page updated: Sources checked: 19 September 2026

Testing evidence in this comparison

  • Manufacturer COA: 1
  • Testing claimed: 3

What does MOTS-c cost?

Lowest: £2.00 / mg · Median: £2.50 / mg · Highest: £5.00 / mg