# MOTS-c

A small peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA. In mice it improves how muscle handles sugar and mimics some effects of exercise. No human trial of MOTS-c itself has been published.

Also called: Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-c
Source page: https://peplogue.com/peptides/mots-c/
Reviewed: 2026-10-12. Not medical advice.

## How it works

- Where it acts: Thought to act on AMPK, the energy sensor inside cells, mainly in muscle.
- What it changes: In mice, better handling of blood sugar and more exercise capacity.
- What people notice: No published human trial, so effects in people are unknown.

## What the evidence shows

- **Slowing aging, more energy**: Lab only. Mouse studies only. FDA says it has found no data on human exposure.
- **Fat loss and blood sugar**: Lab only. A related compound, CB4211, was tried for four weeks in 20 people with fatty liver. Liver enzymes and glucose fell a little; liver fat did no better than placebo. No later trial has been reported.
- **Endurance and exercise performance**: Lab only. Mouse studies only.

## Side effects and risks

- unknown: No human safety data for MOTS-c.
- unknown: FDA cites the risk of immune reactions to injected peptide and its impurities. The related compound caused injection-site reactions in over 10% of people.

Who should avoid it: Athletes, and anyone who wants to know what they are injecting.

## How it has been given in studies

No established human dose. The only human data are for the related compound CB4211, 25 mg injected daily for four weeks.

## Legal status

- United States: undefined. FDA staff opposed the advisers' July 2026 vote to allow compounding. FDA had not acted by late September 2026.
- European Union: undefined
- Spain: undefined. Research peptide. No authorised medicine in Spain that we found (not individually checked in CIMA). Not lawful to sell to the public.
- Germany: undefined. Not approved in Germany. Selling it as a medicine without approval is a crime (AMG § 21, § 96). A prescription-based Rezeptur could not be confirmed.
- France: undefined. No French authorisation found. Not named by ANSM, but its Jul 2026 alert says peptides bought outside the official circuit are illegal.
- Italy: undefined. No Italian authorisation found. Not lawful to sell to the public as a medicine. Research-grade vials online are unverified products.
- Netherlands: undefined. No Dutch marketing authorisation. Online 'research use' sales of an unlicensed medicine are illegal per IGJ. Not named on the Dopingautoriteit list.
- United Kingdom: undefined
- Canada: undefined
- Australia: undefined

## Questions people ask

**Does MOTS-c work in humans?**

Nobody knows. In mice it improves how muscle handles sugar and mimics some effects of exercise, but no human trial of MOTS-c itself has been published.

**Does MOTS-c help with fat loss?**

There is no human evidence. A related compound, CB4211, was tried for four weeks in 20 people with fatty liver: liver enzymes and glucose fell a little, but liver fat did no better than placebo.

**Is MOTS-c safe?**

There are no human safety data for MOTS-c. FDA cites the risk of immune reactions to injected peptide and its impurities, and the related compound caused injection-site reactions in over 10% of people.

**Is MOTS-c legal in the US?**

FDA advisers voted 7 to 5 in July 2026 to allow compounding, but FDA staff opposed it and FDA had not acted by late September 2026.

## Sources

- FDA: bulk substances that may present significant safety risks: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks
- CohBar: CB4211 phase 1a/1b results: https://www.biospace.com/cohbar-announces-positive-topline-results-from-the-phase-1a-1b-study-of-cb4211-under-development-for-nash-and-obesity
- McDermott: July 2026 advisory committee votes: https://www.mcdermottlaw.com/insights/bulk-list-bound-pcac-backs-majority-of-peptides-in-two-day-public-meeting/
- WADA Prohibited List: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list