Appetite Suppression Research Peptides

19 research peptides demonstrate appetite suppression properties. This collection covers their mechanisms, evidence base, and research applications.

FDA Approved | Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist (MW ~4113.6 g/mol, molecular formula C187H291N45O59) with 94% sequence homology to human GLP-1.

Mechanism: Semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone by binding to GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic beta cells (glucose-dependent), brain (hypothalamus appetite centers), stomach, and intestines.

FDA Approved | Metabolic / Dual GIP-GLP-1 Agonist

Tirzepatide is a first-in-class dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and chronic weight management (Zepbound) including severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Mechanism: Tirzepatide (MW ~4813 g/mol, C225H348N48O68) simultaneously activates both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptors.

No Regulatory Activity | Melanocortin Agonist

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) that non-selectively activates melanocortin receptors MC1R through MC5R.

Mechanism: MT-II activates melanocortin receptors MC1R through MC5R non-selectively. MC1R activation stimulates melanogenesis (skin tanning) in melanocytes.

Phase III / NDA Filed | Metabolic / Triple Agonist

Retatrutide is a first-in-class investigational triple hormone receptor agonist (GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon) developed by Eli Lilly. In the Phase 2 trial (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2023, n=338), the 12 mg dose achieved 24.

Mechanism: Retatrutide simultaneously activates three receptors: GLP-1 (reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, improves insulin secretion), GIP (enhances insulin sensitivity, glucose control), and glucagon...

FDA Approved | Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Liraglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist with 97% amino acid sequence homology to endogenous human GLP-1. Developed by Novo Nordisk, it is approved as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for chronic weight management.

Mechanism: Liraglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic β-cells, increasing intracellular cAMP and triggering glucose-dependent insulin secretion.

Phase III / NDA Filed | Metabolic / Amylin Analog

Cagrilintide is a long-acting synthetic analog of human amylin, a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells.

Mechanism: Cagrilintide activates amylin receptors (calcitonin receptor + RAMP complexes) in the area postrema and other hindbrain regions, promoting meal-related satiety through distinct pathways from GLP-1...

FDA Approved | Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Exenatide is a 39-amino-acid GLP-1 receptor agonist (MW ~4186.6 g/mol) originally derived from exendin-4, a peptide found in the saliva of the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum).

Mechanism: Exenatide binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor on pancreatic beta cells, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion.

FDA Approved | Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Dulaglutide (brand name Trulicity) is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, FDA-approved in September 2014 for type 2 diabetes.

Mechanism: Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist consisting of two identical disulfide-linked chains, each containing an N-terminal GLP-1 analog sequence (90% homology to native GLP-1) fused to a modified...

FDA Approved | Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Lixisenatide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist (MW ~4858.5 g/mol) based on the exendin-4 scaffold, with a modified C-terminal tail containing six lysine residues.

Mechanism: Lixisenatide is a 44-amino-acid peptide that activates the GLP-1 receptor with high affinity. It is derived from exendin-4 with deletion of a proline residue and addition of six C-terminal lysine...

FDA Approved | Metabolic / Amylin Analog

Pramlintide (brand name Symlin) is a synthetic analog of amylin, a 37-amino-acid pancreatic hormone co-secreted with insulin from beta cells (MW ~3949.4 g/mol).

Mechanism: Pramlintide mimics the actions of endogenous amylin, a 37-amino-acid hormone co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells in response to meals.

FDA Approved | Metabolic / MC4R Agonist

Setmelanotide (brand name Imcivree) is a cyclic 8-amino-acid peptide (MW ~1117.3 g/mol) that acts as a melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonist.

Mechanism: Setmelanotide is a selective MC4R agonist that re-establishes signaling in the hypothalamic leptin-melanocortin pathway.

Phase I–II Clinical Trials | Metabolic / Dual GLP-1/Glucagon Agonist

Mazdutide (IBI362) is a dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist co-developed by Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly (MW ~4233.7 g/mol).

Mechanism: Mazdutide is a fatty acid-acylated peptide that activates both the GLP-1 receptor and the glucagon receptor.

Animal/Preclinical Only | Experimental Fat Loss

Adipotide (FTPP) is a chimeric peptidomimetic (MW ~3,200 g/mol) composed of a prohibitin-targeting domain (CKGGRAKDC) linked to a proapoptotic domain D(KLAKLAK)2.

Mechanism: Adipotide has a dual-domain design. The homing peptide CKGGRAKDC binds to prohibitin on the surface of endothelial cells in white adipose tissue vasculature (prohibitin is overexpressed on fat tissue...

Phase II–III Clinical Trials | Weight Loss / Reuptake Inhibitor

Tesofensine is a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) originally developed for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Mechanism: Tesofensine inhibits the presynaptic reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, increasing synaptic concentrations of all three monoamines.

Well-Characterized Physiology / Limited Therapeutic Application | Satiety / Gut-Brain Axis

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a well-characterized endogenous gut-brain peptide hormone released by I-cells in the duodenum and jejunum in response to dietary fat and protein.

Mechanism: CCK is released postprandially and activates CCK-A receptors on vagal afferent neurons, sending satiety signals to the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in the brainstem.