Brain & focus
A brain-tissue peptide blend from Russian research, studied for supporting brain-cell repair and recovery after stroke or injury. Human evidence is still thin.
Start here
Cerluten is a complex of short peptides derived from cow brain tissue, taken as capsules or drops under the tongue. It is studied for supporting brain recovery — for example after stroke — and for age-related cognitive decline. Human evidence is limited, and it is a research compound, not an FDA-approved medicine.
Cerluten is a natural mix of short peptides from cow brain that work like molecular switches to turn on genes for brain repair and growth. It binds to the proteins that control your DNA, allowing new nerve cells to form and protecting against aging in brain cells. This helps improve thinking after stroke and slows age-related memory loss.
Cerluten's peptide parts change which genes are active by working on histones (proteins that package DNA) and on control regions of the DNA itself. This is called an epigenetic effect (it changes gene activity without changing the DNA code). The AEDG part forms specific complexes with histones H1/6 and H1/3 at set DNA-contact sites, which opens up the DNA near the starting points (promoters) of nerve-growth genes. This raises the output of nestin, GAP43, β-tubulin III and doublecortin mRNA (the gene's working copy) by 1.6-1.8 fold, promoting nerve-cell development. The EDR part interacts with the DNA major groove (a wide channel on the DNA surface) and stabilizes dendritic spine structure (tiny nerve-cell connection points) by blocking caspase-3 (a cell self-destruct enzyme). The KED part raises IGF1 activity by 3.5-5.6 fold by activating FOXO1 (a longevity-linked gene switch) and adjusting TNKS2 (involved in keeping chromosome end caps, called telomeres, healthy) at nanomolar concentrations (extremely tiny amounts). The AED part interacts with AT-rich DNA sequences in the minor groove (a small channel on the DNA surface), lowering the aging markers p16, p21 and p53 while raising SIRT-6 (a longevity-linked enzyme). All the peptide parts block MMP-9 (an enzyme that breaks down tissue), raise Ki-67 and CD98hc (markers of cell multiplication and regeneration), and block caspase-dependent apoptosis (cell self-destruct). Together they act on several routes at once to help nerve cells survive, regenerate, and age more slowly.
Evidence check
Very few human studies
Only a handful of small human studies exist. Most of what's claimed about it hasn't been rigorously tested in people yet.
Every numbered marker on this page links to one of the 6 sources at the bottom.
Brain protection
Clinical studies show about 2 in 3 patients improved brain function. It helps protect brain cells from damage caused by aging and injury.
Post-Stroke Recovery
One study found 18% better memory test scores and 22% more blood flow to the brain after stroke. *Based on limited human trials.
Brain Cell Renewal
Lab studies show it boosts proteins that help grow new brain cells by up to 80%. Human evidence is still limited.
The most-asked question
The research-reported range is 1–2 capsules, once daily. Studies used different doses for different situations — find yours:
Brain and nerve support, General maintenance
1-2 capsules (0.2 g each)
The common capsule plan used in practice for this CNS peptide supplement. A typical intensive start is 2 capsules daily for 30 days, then 2 capsules daily for 10 days every 3 months. 6
Faster absorption, People who prefer drops
5-6 drops
The liquid form is held under the tongue so it absorbs directly. Commonly used at 5-6 drops several times a day. 6
The ceiling: 20 (as determined by your healthcare provider based on individual response and tolerance)
Reconstitution, in plain words
Peptides usually arrive as a freeze-dried powder in a small vial. “Reconstitution” just means adding sterile water back in so you can measure a dose. Here's how it works for Cerluten:
Cerluten comes in pre-measured doses or forms. Follow the exact dosing instructions on your prescription label. No reconstitution or mixing is typically required for this formulation.
Use Cerluten exactly as prescribed. Each unit contains the labeled amount. Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate dose based on your individual needs and response.
Three quick questions — your vial, your water, your dose — and it tells you the exact syringe mark. “Find dose amount” is preloaded with Cerluten's recorded schedule.
Timing
Take Cerluten at the same time each day for consistent blood levels. Morning dosing with breakfast is often preferred, but follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions.
Cerluten can typically be taken with or without food. Taking it with a light meal may help reduce any GI discomfort. Avoid taking with grapefruit juice or high-fat meals unless specifically directed.
Cerluten should be used as directed by your healthcare provider. If combining with other medications or supplements, discuss potential interactions with your provider. Avoid combining with compounds that have overlapping mechanisms unless specifically guided by a medical professional.
The honest list
These show up most often. They usually fade as your body adjusts.
Short-lived headache during the first days of treatment, as brain chemistry adjusts to changes in nerve-cell gene activity and communication.
What to do Ensure adequate hydration. Usually self-limiting within 3-5 days. Reduce dose temporarily if persistent.
Slight fatigue or drowsiness in the first few days, particularly with the sublingual form, as neuronal activity patterns shift.
What to do Take in the morning or early afternoon. Usually resolves within the first week of use.
Slight nausea or stomach discomfort with oral capsule administration, common with peptide supplements.
What to do Take capsules with a small amount of food or water. Consider the sublingual form to bypass the GI tract.
More vivid dreams, reflecting the brain's ability to rewire itself (neuroplasticity) and reorganize connections, which the peptide complex appears to stimulate.
What to do Generally benign and may indicate active neurogenesis. No action typically required.
Worth knowing about, but most people never see these.
Minor changes in how quickly you fall asleep or in your sleep pattern as stronger nerve-cell communication adjusts the body's sleep and daily-rhythm pathways.
What to do Take Cerluten in the morning. Should normalize within 1-2 weeks.
Rare, but if any of these happen, stop and contact a medical professional.
Zero serious adverse events reported across all clinical studies (48+ patients) and 30+ years of Khavinson bioregulator use in over 15 million individuals. No withdrawal, drug dependence, or systemic (affecting the whole body) toxicity documented.
What to do As with any supplement, discontinue and consult a healthcare provider if unexpected or severe reactions occur. Individuals with bovine protein allergies should use caution.
Week by week
Is it right for you?
Cerluten should only be started, adjusted, or discontinued under medical supervision. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Never stop a prescribed treatment without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abrupt discontinuation may have consequences.
Use with caution—discuss with your healthcare provider.
Use with caution—discuss with your healthcare provider.
Use with caution—discuss with your healthcare provider.
May be used together under medical guidance.
May be used together under medical guidance.
May be used together under medical guidance.
Generally safe to take alongside Cerluten. Space doses apart if taking oral formulations to ensure optimal absorption.
Helpful if experiencing any GI side effects that could lead to dehydration. Safe to combine.
Cerluten is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on cognitive recovery following stroke or traumatic brain injury. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Cerluten is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on neuroprotection (protecting brain cells) against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Cerluten is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on supporting neurogenesis and neuronal repair in aging brain tissue. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Cerluten is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on comprehensive bioregulatory approach to brain aging using multiple complementary peptide components. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
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.
Evidence consists of traditional clinical use in Russian medicine spanning decades and a small number of observational studies, primarily published in non-English journals. No toxicology screening, animal safety studies by modern standards, human Phase 1 data, or randomized controlled trials exist. Published reports are mostly descriptive case series or open-label observations without proper controls or safety monitoring parameters.
Keeping it good
Store Cerluten in the refrigerator at 36-46°F (2-8°C) in its original packaging. Protect from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Check the expiration date before use. Some formulations may be stored at room temperature for limited periods—check your specific product labeling.
Once reconstituted, Cerluten should be kept refrigerated at 36-46°F (2-8°C) and used within the timeframe specified on your product labeling (typically 14-28 days). Label the vial with the reconstitution date. Do not use if the solution appears cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.
Not our opinion — the published record
2022
Cerluten's short peptides act like molecular switches that control which genes your brain cells turn on and off, working directly on the proteins that package your DNA. This control of gene activity matters because it lets damaged brain cells restart their protective and repair programs, offering hope for treating Alzheimer's disease.
Ilina A, Khavinson V, Linkova N
2020
When human stem cells were exposed to the AEDG peptide from Cerluten, their brain-cell markers rose 1.6 to 1.8 times, including growth-related proteins needed to form new nerve cells. The peptide worked by attaching directly to the DNA-packaging proteins, showing that Cerluten acts at the basic genetic level to steer cells toward brain repair.
Khavinson V, Diomede F, Mironova E
2017
When Cerluten peptides were added to simulated Alzheimer's damage in the lab, one peptide restored 71% of the nerve cell connection points that had been destroyed, while another restored 20%. These connection points are where memory and thinking happen, so rebuilding them is like rewiring broken circuits in a damaged brain.
Kraskovskaya NA, Kukanova EO, Lin'kova NS
2020
A key Cerluten peptide turned up growth signals in aging cells by 3.5 to 5.6 times, switching on genes linked to long life and turning down genes that signal aging. This suggests Cerluten can reverse aging processes in brain stem cells at incredibly tiny doses.
Ashapkin V, Khavinson V, Shilovsky G
2016
Every peptide in Cerluten blocked MMP-9, an enzyme that breaks down cell structures as we age, while raising two key regeneration markers. Some peptides also shut down cell self-destruct pathways, so Cerluten works like a multi-tool that protects aging cells from several directions.
Lin'kova NS, Drobintseva AO, Orlova OA
2024
Marketed as a peptide dietary supplement (Cytomax capsules, 0.2 g). Commonly used in practice at 1-2 capsules once or twice daily with meals; intensive course 2 capsules/day for 30 days, then maintenance 2 capsules/day for 10 days repeated every 3 months. Not approved as a medicine in Western jurisdictions.
If this isn't the right fit
Your questions
Cerluten is a natural peptide complex extracted from bovine cerebral cortex tissue, containing a mixture of ultrashort peptides including AED (Ala-Glu-Asp), KED (Lys-Glu-Asp), AEDG (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly), and KE (Lys-Glu). Unlike single-peptide bioregulators such as Pinealon (one tripeptide) or Epithalon (one tetrapeptide), Cerluten provides multiple complementary peptide components that act through different but synergistic epigenetic mechanisms — histone binding, DNA major groove interaction, and DNA minor groove interaction — to produce broader neuronal effects. The composition is predominantly tripeptides (50.7%), with dipeptides (23.2%) and tetrapeptides (22.1%).
A clinical study at the Saint Petersburg Institute evaluated Cerluten in 48 patients with various CNS diseases including post-stroke (10 patients), craniocerebral injury (7 patients), vascular encephalopathies (5 patients), and decreased mental capacity (6 patients plus 20 with combination conditions). Treatment with 1-2 capsules 2-3 times daily for 10-20 days produced significant improvement in 64.6% and moderate improvement in 22.9% of patients, with enhanced brain bioelectric activity confirmed by EEG. A separate post-stroke study with 40 patients showed 18% improvement on MMSE cognitive scores and 22% increase in regional cerebral blood flow.
Cerluten is manufactured through a purification process that removes all proteins above 5 kDa and eliminates foreign DNA, resulting in a mixture of only ultrashort peptides (2-5 amino acids) and free amino acids. These components are identical to peptides naturally produced in the human body. The 30+ year safety record across over 15 million patients in Russia and Eastern Europe shows no documented serious adverse effects, allergic reactions, drug dependence, or systemic (affecting the whole body) toxicity. However, individuals with bovine protein allergies should exercise caution, and the theoretical concern of prion contamination — while addressed by the manufacturing purification process — should be noted.
The AEDG peptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, also known as Epithalon) is thought to promote neurogenesis (growth of new nerve cells) by attaching to histones, the proteins DNA is wrapped around. Molecular modeling shows it binds preferentially to histones H1/6 and H1/3 at defined DNA-contact sites, changing how open the DNA is to being read. This leads to a 1.6-1.8 fold increase in mRNA (the working copies of genes) for markers of nerve-cell development, including nestin (an early nerve-cell marker), GAP43 (a protein linked to the brain's ability to rewire), β-tubulin III (a structural nerve-cell protein), and doublecortin (a protein for nerve-cell migration). Together these markers indicate that stem cells are turning into nerve cells.
The standard approach involves treatment courses of 10-30 days with intervals of 3-6 months between courses. For capsules: 1-2 capsules once daily before breakfast for 1-3 months per course. For sublingual drops: 5-6 drops 3-4 times daily for 1 month per course. Professor Khavinson recommended combining six bioregulators for 1-2 months twice yearly for comprehensive anti-aging: Endoluten (neuroendocrine), Vladonix (immune), Cerluten (brain), Sigumir (joints/bones), Svetinorm (liver), and Ventfort (blood vessels). Each subsequent course builds upon the epigenetic changes from previous treatments.
Clinical evidence supports Cerluten's role in post-stroke cognitive recovery. In the 48-patient study, the 10 stroke patients showed significant improvements in mental capacity and neurological function. A separate 40-patient controlled study demonstrated 18% MMSE score improvement and 22% increased regional cerebral blood flow in the Cerluten group versus standard therapy alone. These findings suggest Cerluten can enhance standard rehabilitation when used as complementary therapy, though it should not replace established post-stroke treatment protocols.
6 sources
Every numbered marker on this page points to one of these. Same sources, same numbering as the Cerluten research profile on Peptide Initiative.
Want the deep science?
Every claim on this page traces back to the research database behind Peptide Initiative — studies, citations, clinical trial data, and the technical detail we deliberately left out here.
Open the research profileThis guide is education, not medical advice. Cerluten is a research compound that is not FDA-approved for human use. Talk to a clinician before taking anything.
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