All information below describes the compound's chemical identity, laboratory handling, and the published research literature. It describes molecular targets and results in laboratory and animal models only — not effects in humans — and is not evidence of any human benefit.
What Is Hexarelin?
Hexarelin (also designated Examorelin; CAS 140703-51-1) is a synthetic hexapeptide of the growth-hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) class. It is a laboratory-synthesized analogue that does not occur freely in nature and contains non-standard amino-acid residues, so the source does not report it as a plain single-letter sequence. It is characterized in the preclinical literature as a growth hormone secretagogue compound.
It is supplied as a reference compound for in vitro and animal research use only. The sections below summarize its chemical identity, laboratory handling, the molecular targets and model systems examined in the published literature, and the primary references — without describing outcomes, efficacy, or effects in humans.
Research Targets & Pathways
Published preclinical literature has examined Hexarelin in relation to several molecular systems. These are pathway associations reported in laboratory and animal models; refer to the cited studies for methods and findings.
- Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) — examined in relation to growth hormone secretion signaling in pituitary and somatotroph model systems.
- GHRH co-administration — examined in relation to growth hormone pulse amplitude under combined stimulation.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) — examined in relation to blood-pressure regulatory pathways in domain-selective enzymatic assays.
- Autophagy flux / hypertrophic markers — examined in relation to cardiomyocyte signaling in angiotensin II-exposed cell models.
- HPA axis (cortisol / ACTH) — examined as off-target cross-reactivity of GHRP-class stimulation.
- Ghrelin-receptor signaling — examined in relation to skeletal-muscle pathways in aging model systems.
Model Systems Studied
Hexarelin has been used as a test compound across a range of published preclinical model systems, primarily in rodents and in vitro cell assays. Refer to the cited literature for study designs, endpoints, and findings.
- Pituitary / endocrine — pituitary cell cultures and somatotroph GH-release assays; GHS-R1a receptor-binding assays.
- Cardiac — murine myocardial ischemia-reperfusion models; H9C2 cardiomyocyte cultures exposed to angiotensin II; permanent coronary-ligation models.
- Vascular — abdominal aortic aneurysm models (smooth-muscle-cell phenotypic switching, inflammasome activation); enzymatic ACE-inhibition assays.
- Skeletal muscle — aged ghrelin-receptor-null and GHS-inhibited mice (grip strength, fiber cross-sectional area, fatigue resistance).
- Nervous system — optic-nerve-transection models in rodents (retinal ganglion cell survival, axon preservation).
Note: several citations in the source reference related GHS/GHRP-class peptides where direct Hexarelin data is limited; findings should not be extrapolated to human outcomes without further study.
Molecular & Technical Profile
C47H58N12O6 | MW 887.06 g/mol | CAS 140703-51-1 | Sequence: synthetic hexapeptide (no standard single-letter sequence provided by the source; contains non-standard residues)
Storage, Reconstitution & Working Concentrations
Storage, reconstitution, and working-concentration values are general laboratory guidance for in vitro and animal research; always confirm against the lot-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Current Research Status
The research-grade material supplied by Explicit Research is a reference compound for laboratory research use only and is not an approved drug product. The available evidence base is primarily preclinical, derived from rodent and in vitro models. Several citations in the source describe related growth-hormone-secretagogue and GHRP-class peptides where direct Hexarelin data is limited, and translation to human clinical contexts has not been established through controlled clinical trials. Ongoing research continues to characterize the compound's mechanistic profile and identify which experimental findings may have translational relevance.
Research FAQ
Is Hexarelin approved for human use?
The research-grade material supplied by Explicit Research is a reference compound for laboratory research use only and is not an approved drug product. The evidence base is preclinical (rodent and in vitro models), and it is not for human consumption.
What is Hexarelin's molecular formula and sequence?
A synthetic hexapeptide — molecular formula C47H58N12O6, MW 887.06 g/mol, CAS 140703-51-1. The source does not provide a standard single-letter amino-acid sequence, as the molecule contains non-standard residues.
How is Hexarelin stored and reconstituted?
Store lyophilized at −20°C, protected from light and moisture. Reconstitute in sterile water or 0.9% saline (also soluble in 1% acetic acid); store the reconstituted solution at 2–8°C for up to ~28 days and avoid repeated freeze–thaw.
What targets and model systems has Hexarelin been studied in?
Preclinical work has examined GHS-R1a signaling, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, and ghrelin-receptor pathways across pituitary cell cultures, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, cardiomyocyte, abdominal aortic aneurysm, aged-muscle, and optic-nerve model systems. Several citations reference related GHS/GHRP-class peptides where direct Hexarelin data is limited.
Selected References
- Loche et al. — Preclinical models show Hexarelin works synergistically with GHRH for amplified GH pulse elevation. Eur J Pharmacol, 1996.
- Ghigo et al. — Growth hormone secretagogues characterized across pathological states; diagnostic and mechanistic implications assessed. Acta Paediatr Suppl, 1997.
- Costantino et al. — Review of peptide hormone delivery mechanisms including nasal administration routes and bioavailability parameters. Adv Drug Deliv Rev, 1998.
- Sigalos et al. — Role of growth hormone secretagogues in modulating body composition parameters in hypogonadal male models reviewed; regulatory status noted as not FDA-approved for human use. Transl Androl Urol, 2020.
- Arnaldi et al. — GHRP-6 stimulation of cortisol and ACTH release measured in Cushing's disease patients; HPA axis cross-reactivity compared with DDAVP. J Endocrinol Invest, 2003.
- Ito et al. — Ghrelin receptor deletion and pharmacological inhibition effects on muscle function quantified in aging male mice; GHS receptor signaling assessed. Aging Cell, 2026.
- Locatelli et al. — Hexarelin-treated cardiac cells assessed for viability under hypoxic stress; contractile function and morphological preservation measured post-injury. Endocrinology, 2000.
- Mao et al. — Neuroinflammatory pathway modulation by Hexarelin quantified in murine myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model; cardiac morphology and ejection fraction assessed. Biomed Pharmacother, 2020.
- Zhang et al. — Autophagy flux and hypertrophic markers measured in H9C2 cardiomyocytes exposed to angiotensin II; Hexarelin-mediated attenuation of pathological enlargement assessed. Pharmazie, 2019.
- Ramirez et al. — GHRP-6 effects on ventricular remodeling and systolic function measured in permanent coronary ligation model; structural cardiac outcomes quantified. Pharmaceuticals (Basel), 2026.
- Rubinstein et al. — Domain-selective ACE-inhibitory activity of synthetic GHS compounds measured in enzymatic assay; blood pressure regulatory pathway engagement characterized. Pharmacol Res, 2012.
- Li et al. — Smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching and inflammasome activation quantified in abdominal aortic aneurysm model; Hexarelin attenuation of lesion formation measured. Microvasc Res, 2022.
- Gonzalez et al. — Peptide class effects on skeletal muscle wasting pathways reviewed; mechanistic targets in sarcopenia models scoped. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 2025.
- Tripathi et al. — Retinal ganglion cell survival and axon preservation quantified after optic nerve transection in Hexarelin-treated rodents. Indian J Pharmacol, 2026.