CerlutenvsCortexin

Molecular Formula

C₁₁H₁₇N₃O₈ (representative primary component)

Molecular Weight

319.3 g/mol (representative; complex contains peptides from 200-500 Da)

Half-Life

Short plasma half-life for individual peptide components (minutes to hours); biological effects persist for weeks to months through epigenetic modifications to gene expression

Bioavailability

Oral and sublingual absorption via intestinal peptide transporters (PepT1); component peptides cross the blood-brain barrier; sublingual form bypasses first-pass hepatic metabolism

CAS Number

75007-24-8

Molecular Formula

Complex mixture — no single molecular formula (contains multiple low molecular weight polypeptide fractions, L-amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements)

Molecular Weight

Low molecular weight water-soluble polypeptide fractions — specific molecular weight distribution varies as a complex biological mixture

Half-Life

Approximately 2-6 hours (varies by route of administration)

Bioavailability

~85-100% (intramuscular injection)

CAS Number

Not assigned (biological mixture)

Common

• Mild headache
• Mild drowsiness
• Mild GI discomfort
• Vivid dreams

Uncommon

• Transient sleep pattern changes

Serious

• No documented serious adverse effects

Common

• Injection site reactions
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Agitation or restlessness
• Transient blood pressure changes

Uncommon

• Allergic reactions

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction / Anaphylaxis

Evidence Level

Limited human trials

FDA Status

Research compound

Safety Overview

Cerluten is a peptide extract from cerebral tissue of young animals that is not FDA-approved and lacks rigorous clinical safety data. As an undefined mixture of peptides and proteins from animal sources, quality control and batch consistency cannot be guaranteed. Potential risks include allergic reactions to animal-derived proteins, contamination with microbial pathogens or prions, and unknown long-term immunological effects. No comprehensive safety studies have been conducted in humans, and the active pharmaceutical components have never been identified or standardized. The product exists primarily in Russian and Eastern European medical markets without Western regulatory oversight.

Contraindications

• xKnown hypersensitivity to peptide bioregulators or bovine-derived products
• xPregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient reproductive safety data
• xActive CNS infection — treat infection before initiating peptide bioregulator therapy
• xPrion disease concerns — although manufacturing processes include purification to remove proteins > 5 kDa, individuals with heightened prion risk should exercise caution

Evidence Level

Limited human trials

FDA Status

Research compound

Safety Overview

Cortexin is a porcine brain-derived polypeptide preparation used in Russian neurology that is not FDA-approved and has no Western rigorous safety data. As an undefined mixture of peptides and proteins extracted from animal brains, batch standardization and quality control are not guaranteed. Concerns include potential transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE/prion) risk from animal CNS tissue, although documented cases have not been reported. Allergic reactions to porcine proteins are possible. No formal human safety assessments, toxicology studies, or clinical trials by modern regulatory standards have been conducted. Use in Western countries is essentially non-existent due to regulatory limitations on animal-derived neurological products.

Contraindications

• xKnown hypersensitivity to Cortexin or any component including glycine stabilizer
• xAllergy to bovine-derived biological products
• xPregnancy — insufficient safety data for use during pregnancy
• xBreastfeeding — insufficient data on excretion into breast milk