Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Head-to-head comparison of MOTS-c and Retatrutide — mechanism, side effects, legal status, and pricing.
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, discovered by Lee and Cohen at USC in 2015 (sequence: MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR). It is an investigational, research-only peptide studied as a metabolic regulator; it has not been approved by the FDA for any indication.
MOTS-c
Retatrutide
Category
Legal Status
Mechanism
Half-life
Side Effects
COA-verified vendors · trust score ≥70 required · single-vial price — bulk/bundle deals may be lower
MOTS-c
Retatrutide
COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.
MOTS-c
193
COAs
99.5%
Avg purity
16
Labs
Retatrutide
413
COAs
99.7%
Avg purity
17
Labs
Lee et al. (Cell Metabolism, 2015; PMID 25738459) identified MOTS-c and showed that exogenous administration in mice prevented diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance via AMPK activation in skeletal muscle. Kim et al. (Cell Metabolism, 2018; PMID 29983246) demonstrated that MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress and regulates antioxidant response element (ARE) genes. Reynolds et al. (Nature Communications, 2021; PMID 33473109) reported that exercise induces MOTS-c in human skeletal muscle and that MOTS-c treatment improved physical capacity in young, middle-aged, and aged mice. Human clinical data are limited to CohBar's Phase 1a/1b study of the analog CB4211 in healthy volunteers and obese NAFLD subjects, which reported acceptable tolerability and exploratory signals on ALT/AST and glucose; CohBar wound down the program in 2023. No completed Phase 2 or Phase 3 trials exist for MOTS-c or its analogs, and grey-market dosing (typically ~10 mg SubQ 2-3x/week) is not clinically validated.
Key references
Phase 2 obesity trial (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2023; PMID 37366315) demonstrated up to 24.2% body weight loss at 48 weeks at the 12 mg dose, exceeding both semaglutide and tirzepatide. A Phase 2 type 2 diabetes trial (Rosenstock et al., Lancet 2023; PMID 37385280) showed robust HbA1c and weight reductions vs. placebo and dulaglutide. A Phase 2a MASLD trial (Sanyal et al., Nat Med 2024; PMID 38858523) demonstrated significant reductions in hepatic steatosis driven by glucagon receptor activation. Phase 3 TRIUMPH trials are ongoing (Eli Lilly), with results expected 2025–2026. Retatrutide is NOT FDA-approved as of April 2026 — it remains investigational.
MOTS-c and Retatrutide are both in the Metabolic category and may have overlapping mechanisms. Researchers should review both profiles carefully, understand the mechanisms of action, and monitor the relevant biomarkers when combining compounds in the same class. As always, consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any decisions about combining research compounds.
Cheapest verified Retatrutide: live prices, vendors & COA data
The cheapest verified Retatrutide by price-per-mg — a live board of in-stock vendors with COAs on file. Lab data from 17 labs across 405 COAs.
Cheapest verified MOTS-c: live prices, vendors & COA data
The cheapest verified MOTS-c by price-per-mg — a live board of in-stock vendors with COAs on file. Lab data from 15 labs across 190 COAs.
This platform provides informational tools only, not medical advice. This comparison is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed provider.
Contraindications
Lab Testing
Key references
Disclosed Labs