Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Head-to-head comparison of MOTS-c and SLU-PP-332 — 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.
SLU-PP-332 is a small-molecule (non-peptide) pan-agonist of estrogen-related receptors ERRα/β/γ developed at Saint Louis University. Studied preclinically as an exercise mimetic in rodents, it has no human clinical data and is NOT FDA-approved. Sold only as a grey-market research chemical.
MOTS-c
SLU-PP-332
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
SLU-PP-332
COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.
MOTS-c
193
COAs
99.5%
Avg purity
16
Labs
SLU-PP-332
26
COAs
99.5%
Avg purity
11
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
Billon et al. (ACS Chemical Biology, 2023) reported that SLU-PP-332 in sedentary mice increased treadmill endurance, enhanced slow-twitch fiber content, boosted mitochondrial biogenesis, and conferred resistance to high-fat-diet weight gain without exercise training. A follow-up (Billon et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 2024) showed benefits in mouse metabolic-syndrome models. Developed at Saint Louis University (Burris/Walker/Elgendy groups). Rodent/preclinical data ONLY — no human clinical trials have been initiated. Not FDA-approved; not a peptide.
Key references
MOTS-c and SLU-PP-332 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.
This platform provides informational tools only, not medical advice. This comparison is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed provider.
Contraindications
Lab Testing