Evidence Grade E — Very limited evidence. 7 published studies. 0 registered clinical trials.
Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
Pancragen is a synthetic tetrapeptide from the Khavinson bioregulator programme, proposed to target pancreatic tissue. Among Khavinson peptides, it has relatively more data — including a small human study (63 elderly patients) and a primate study (5 animals). It has no regulatory approval outside Russia.
Pancragen is also known by these brand and alternate names:
7 published studies: 3 human, 4 animal, 0 in-vitro, 0 reviews
Pancragen has no marketing authorisation from any major regulatory agency. A nonhuman primate study (5 treated animals) and a human study (63 elderly patients across three groups) have been reported, representing more clinical data than most Khavinson bioregulator peptides.
Despite having relatively more data than other compounds in this programme, the human study was small and its methodology has not undergone Western regulatory review. Products available through unregulated channels lack pharmaceutical quality assurance.
Research from the Khavinson group proposes that Pancragen may upregulate pancreatic transcription factors involved in beta-cell development and maintenance. These proposed effects are based on cell culture and animal studies. The mechanisms derive from the Khavinson bioregulation framework.
Research suggests approximately 8-10 published papers exist, nearly all from the Khavinson group. The presence of human and primate data distinguishes Pancragen from most other Khavinson peptides. However, sample sizes are tiny (5-33), no double-blind randomised trials have been conducted, and statistical reporting lacks confidence intervals. No pharmacokinetic data have been published. No independent Western replication exists. Products from unregulated channels lack pharmaceutical quality assurance.
PeptideTrace tracks 0 registered clinical trials for Pancragen sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
No trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov for this compound.
Pancragen is a synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator with the sequence Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp (KEDW). Its molecular formula is C26H36N6O9 with a molecular weight of 576.25 Da (PubChem CID 68452887). Developed by Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Pancragen is part of the cytomedine program targeting pancreatic tissue. It is sold as a dietary supplement in Russia (product code AKS-P). No formal pharmacokinetic data exist. Of the Khavinson pancreas-targeted peptides, Pancragen is distinguished by having both nonhuman primate and small human clinical data.
Research suggests Pancragen upregulates pancreatic transcription factors critical for beta-cell development and maintenance, including PDX1, NGN3, PAX6, FOXA2, NKX2-2, NKX6.1, PAX4, and Ptf1a. Proposed epigenetic effects include DNA demethylation and histone remodeling at PDX1, PAX6, and NGN3 loci. The peptide reportedly increases PCNA and Ki-67 (proliferation markers) while reducing p53 and caspase-3 (apoptosis), and increasing Mcl1 (anti-apoptotic). In organotypic pancreatic cultures, effects were observed at concentrations as low as 0.05 ng/mL. Like other Khavinson peptides, KEDW is hypothesized to bind DNA and influence tissue-specific gene expression.
A nonhuman primate study (Goncharova et al. 2014, old female rhesus monkeys, N=5 Pancragen vs. N=4 glimepiride) showed Pancragen normalized plasma insulin and C-peptide dynamics in response to glucose challenge, with effects partially persisting 3 weeks post-discontinuation. A human study (Korkushko et al. 2011, Bull Exp Biol Med, N=63: 30 healthy elderly, 33 with type 2 diabetes) reported improved fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance index in the T2D group. A rat streptozotocin model demonstrated hypoglycemic effects with oral administration and endothelioprotective effects with intramuscular dosing.
The information on this page is provided for educational and research reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health.
