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MOTS-c

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide that the body makes from a gene in mitochondrial DNA. In mice it improved insulin sensitivity and physical capacity. In people, the body's own MOTS-c rises with exercise, but no published study has given MOTS-c to humans, so its effects and safety in people are unknown.

Not approved · research onlyWADA Prohibited at all times (S4.4.1, AMPK activator)Checked October 2026
Open the MOTS-c calculatorSources

Approval status

Not approved anywhere. FDA lists MOTS-c among substances once in compounding Category 2 (risks: immune reactions, no human data) whose nominations were withdrawn. In July 2026 FDA's compounding advisory committee narrowly voted (7–5) to recommend allowing it for obesity and osteoporosis, against the advice of FDA's reviewers. FDA has not made a final decision, and MOTS-c is in no FDA compounding category on the latest list (May 2026).78611910

What it’s used or studied for

  • Animal & lab only

    Prevented diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice, acting mainly on skeletal muscle.2

  • Animal & lab only

    Improved physical performance in young, middle-aged and old mice, including when started late in life.3

  • Animal & lab only

    Reduced bone loss in mice after removal of the ovaries, a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis.4

  • No studies

    Sold for fat loss, endurance and longevity in people; FDA found no clinical studies of MOTS-c given to humans by any route.6

Each label shows how strong the evidence is: an approved use, human studies, animal or lab studies only, or a popular claim with no published studies. Being studied is not the same as being proven safe or effective.

Side effects

No published study has given MOTS-c to people, so side effects in humans are unknown. FDA's searches of its adverse event database through March 2025 found no reports. Human studies have only measured the body's own MOTS-c, which rises with exercise.635

Cautions

  • FDA warns that injected MOTS-c may trigger immune reactions and may contain peptide-related impurities.7
  • In lab tests MOTS-c broke down quickly in human blood; it is unknown whether injections reach active levels.6

Sources

  1. PubChem: MOTS-c (CID 146675088)
  2. Lee C et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 2015
  3. Reynolds JC et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nat Commun. 2021
  4. Ming W et al. Mitochondria related peptide MOTS-c suppresses ovariectomy-induced bone loss via AMPK activation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2016
  5. von Walden F et al. Acute endurance exercise stimulates circulating levels of mitochondrial-derived peptides in humans. J Appl Physiol. 2021
  6. FDA briefing document: MOTS-c, Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, July 23–24, 2026
  7. FDA: Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks
  8. FDA: July 23–24, 2026 meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee
  9. FDA: Bulk drug substances nominated for use in compounding under section 503A (categories, updated May 14, 2026)
  10. WADA 2026 Prohibited List
  11. AJMC news: FDA panel backs 6 peptides for compounding (July 31, 2026)

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