LivagenvsCartalax

Molecular Formula

C₁₈H₃₁N₅O₉

Molecular Weight

461.5 g/mol

Half-Life

Short plasma half-life typical of tetrapeptides; biological effects persist for weeks through epigenetic chromatin remodeling modifications; metabolized to constituent amino acids (lysine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine)

Bioavailability

Resistant to intestinal proteolysis when administered orally (weakly hydrolyzed by intestinal peptidases); efficient absorption from intramuscular injection sites; penetrates cytoplasmic and nuclear membranes to reach cell nuclei and nucleoli

CAS Number

Not assigned (research compound)

Molecular Formula

C₁₂H₁₉N₃O₈

Molecular Weight

333.3 g/mol

Half-Life

Short plasma half-life typical of tripeptides (minutes to hours); biological effects persist for weeks to months through epigenetic gene regulation; metabolized to constituent amino acids

Bioavailability

Orally bioavailable via intestinal peptide transporters (PepT1/PepT2, LAT1); 10-fold more potent than crude cartilage polypeptide complex at chondrogenic activation (200 vs 2000 ng/mL effective concentration)

CAS Number

Not yet registered (research compound)

Common

• Injection site reaction
• Mild fatigue
• Mild headache
• Digestive enzyme changes

Uncommon

• Transient flu-like symptoms

Serious

• No documented serious adverse effects

Common

• Mild injection site reaction
• Mild GI discomfort
• Mild fatigue
• Transient joint stiffness

Uncommon

• Temporary increase in joint discomfort

Serious

• No documented serious adverse effects

Evidence Level

Limited human trials

FDA Status

Research compound

Safety Overview

Livagen (a liver-derived peptide extract) carries a safety profile established through decades of use in Eastern European hepatology and gastroenterology clinics. As an organ-derived extract rather than a synthetic single peptide, it contains multiple bioactive components promoting hepatocyte regeneration and cytoprotection. Adverse events are minimal in reported clinical experience—mild gastrointestinal upset occurring in <5% of patients. The compound shows no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, or immunosensitization in available safety surveillance data from thousands of patients.

Contraindications

• xKnown hypersensitivity to peptide bioregulators or constituent amino acids (lysine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine)
• xPregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient reproductive safety data
• xActive autoimmune conditions in flare without physician supervision
• xConcurrent use of opioid medications — Livagen's enkephalinase inhibition may alter opioid metabolism

Evidence Level

Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)

FDA Status

Research compound

Safety Overview

Cartalax (polypeptide complex from bovine cartilage) has not undergone formal FDA approval or rigorous clinical safety trials. The safety profile is based on traditional use in Russia and Eastern Europe as a cartilage extract supplement, with limited published safety data. As a complex mixture of polypeptides, collagens, and proteoglycans, the actual active components and their pharmacology are undefined, making toxicity prediction impossible. Potential allergic reactions to bovine proteins exist, and contamination risks from source animal tissues cannot be ruled out without pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.

Contraindications

• xKnown hypersensitivity to peptide bioregulators or constituent amino acids (alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid)
• xPregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient reproductive safety data
• xActive joint infection — treat infection before initiating peptide bioregulator therapy
• xMalignant bone or cartilage tumors — proliferative effects of peptide bioregulators may be contraindicated