Not medical advice. SS-31 is a research compound. This guide does not provide dosing, diagnosis, therapy recommendations, or claims about effects in humans.
SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a four-amino-acid peptide that homes in on the inner mitochondrial membrane, anchors to the phospholipid cardiolipin, and restores the structural organisation that the electron transport chain needs to produce ATP efficiently.
One-paragraph overview from our research datasheet — still scientific, but faster to read than the full mechanism list below.
SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane, binds cardiolipin, and restores electron transport chain efficiency in models of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Peer-reviewed literature typically discusses SS-31 in specific experimental settings. The points below reflect how the scientific community frames this compound—not as health claims, but as the research questions being asked.
Research vs. personal use: Literature describes experiments in controlled lab and animal models. This is distinct from any real-world use; our products are for laboratory research only.
Researchers study these compounds for mitochondrial function, nutrient sensing, and cellular energy stress responses -often in ageing or metabolic disease models.
Our datasheet lists mechanistic themes observed in preclinical work. These are research endpoints, not health claims. They help scientists understand and compare pathways.
Storage requirements: Lyophilised powder: store in freezer (−20 °C). Reconstituted: refrigerate 1–6 °C, away from light. Use within the validated stability window for the specific batch and formulation. · Learn best practices in our detailed storage guide.
Research dosing context: Literature typically discusses 3–5 mg subcutaneous or intravenous injection · Once daily for acute models; 3×/week for chronic protocols · SS-31 is rapidly cleared from plasma (t½ ~2 h in rodents) but accumulates and is retained in mitochondria-rich tissues for extended periods. Subcutaneous dosing is standard in chronic preclinical studies; IV bolus is used in acute ischaemia–reperfusion models. No published human PK data exists outside of the clinical-trial context (elamipretide cardiac and renal indications).
Preparation steps: Follow our detailed reconstitution guide, use the calculator tool for volume confirmation, and always verify purity with the COA reading guide.
SS-31 (elamipretide; D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2) is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane and binds the phospholipid cardiolipin. In research models it preserves the structure of the electron transport chain, reduces mitochondrial ROS, and supports ATP production. It is studied as a mitochondrial-protection tool compound and is supplied here for laboratory research only.
Most antioxidants scavenge reactive oxygen species after they have been produced. SS-31 works upstream — it binds cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane and prevents the structural breakdown that causes the electron transport chain to generate excess ROS in the first place. That makes it a structural/preventive mechanism rather than a scavenging one.
Cardiolipin is a phospholipid found almost exclusively in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It acts as a structural scaffold for the protein complexes of the electron transport chain — specifically promoting their organisation into "supercomplexes" that transfer electrons more efficiently. Cardiolipin peroxidation, which increases with ageing and mitochondrial stress, disrupts these supercomplexes and impairs ATP production.
Yes — elamipretide has progressed to human clinical trials, including the Phase 3 MMPOWER-3 trial in primary mitochondrial myopathy and TAZPOWER in Barth syndrome. The results were mixed: MMPOWER-3 did not meet its primary endpoints (6-minute walk and fatigue at 24 weeks), while a TAZPOWER open-label extension reported a later 6-minute-walk improvement. It remains investigational and is not approved for therapeutic use; the research-grade SS-31 supplied here is for in-vitro and preclinical use only.
Both are mitochondria-related research peptides but act differently. SS-31 is a tetrapeptide that physically anchors in the inner mitochondrial membrane and protects cardiolipin to keep the electron transport chain efficient. MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide that signals through AMPK as an "exercise mimetic". One protects mitochondrial structure; the other triggers metabolic signalling.
In rodent studies SS-31 is cleared rapidly from plasma (around a 2-hour half-life) but accumulates and is retained in mitochondria-rich tissues for far longer, which is why chronic preclinical protocols use intermittent subcutaneous dosing. Published human pharmacokinetics exist only within the elamipretide clinical-trial context. These figures are descriptive of the literature, not a recommendation.
Keep the lyophilised powder frozen at −20 °C. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water or sterile saline, refrigerate at 1–6 °C and protect from light. SS-31 is a small, relatively stable tetrapeptide within standard peptide-handling conditions.
No, and no. This article is educational only. We do not provide dosing, medical recommendations, or health claims. Our products are sold strictly for laboratory research, not for personal use of any kind.
Open the shop listing via “View product details.” There you will see batch specs, the Certificate of Analysis (COA), concentration, purity grade, and available SKUs with current pricing.
Other compounds researchers often read about alongside SS-31.
Primary literature and registries for SS-31, plus mainstream coverage of the peptide category. Research use only - not medical advice.
Databases & literature:
Peptides in the news:
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Also known as: SS-31, Elamipretide, MTP-131, Bendavia, D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, Szeto-Schiller Peptide 31, SS31, Cardiolipin Binder