MOTS-c: what it is, what the studies show and where it stands
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by a short open reading frame in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. In mice it affects insulin sensitivity and metabolic balance.
At a glance
US Not approved
Canada Not authorized
Group Longevity
Sources 10
Checked 10 Oct 2026What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by a short open reading frame in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. In mice it affects insulin sensitivity and metabolic balance. [1]
Other names: mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c, MOTS-C, MOTs-C.
How it has been given to people: no human use on record in published studies; one registered Phase 2a trial (recruiting) gives it by subcutaneous injection once daily.
Looking for doses? MOTS-c dosage chart and vial math
Is MOTS-c approved in the US and Canada?
United States: Not FDA approved. FDA lists MOTs-C among bulk substances that were in compounding category 2 and whose nominations were then withdrawn. [7]
Canada: No MOTS-c product in the Health Canada Drug Product Database. Health Canada names MOTS-C among unauthorized injectable peptide drugs it has seized. [8]
Both were checked on 10 Oct 2026 against the regulators' own product databases.
Which approved products contain MOTS-c?
No approved medicine containing MOTS-c was found in the US or Canada. Anything sold under this name is not a regulated product, so there is no label to check a dose against.
What human studies of MOTS-c exist?
The 4 findings listed here: 2 from smaller or observational human studies and 2 from animal or lab work.
In people, exercise raises the body's own MOTS-c in muscle and blood. This measured natural levels; nobody was given MOTS-c. [2]
In 10 lean and 10 obese adults, plasma MOTS-c did not differ between the groups. This also measured natural levels only. [3]
In mice, MOTS-c treatment prevented insulin resistance caused by age and by a high-fat diet, and prevented diet-induced obesity. [1]
In mice, MOTS-c started late in life and given three times a week increased physical capacity. [2]
What are the side effects of MOTS-c?
Reported in human studies or on a label:
How does MOTS-c compare with others in its group?
These are the peptides filed under longevity. The last column says whether a randomized human trial is on record for each.
| Peptide | US | Canada | Half-life | Randomized human trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOTS-c | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | No |
| Epitalon | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | No |
| NAD+ | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | Yes |
| SS-31 (elamipretide) | Approved for one use | Not authorized | Not found | Yes |
| Cardiogen | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | No |
| Livagen | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | No |
What could not be found
These were searched for and did not turn up. They are listed so a missing number is not mistaken for a hidden one.
- No published study in which MOTS-c itself was given to humans. PubMed searches for MOTS-c clinical trials returned only studies that measured natural blood or muscle levels.
- No dose from any label or completed human trial, so the doses list is empty.
- The registered Phase 2a trial of MOTS-c in adults with prediabetes [4] gives the regimen as a fixed dose once daily for 12 weeks by subcutaneous injection, with no amount in mg. It is recruiting in China and has no results.
- CB4211 is described in a 2022 review as an analog of MOTS-c [6]. Its Phase 1a/1b trial [5] is completed, but the registry record labels the arms Dose 1 to Dose 6 with no amounts and has no posted results. A PubMed search for CB4211 returned nothing.
- No human half-life figure, so half_life is left out.
- No approved label, so no official contraindications, interaction list or storage instructions.
MOTS-c questions
Is MOTS-c approved in the US?
Not FDA approved. FDA lists MOTs-C among bulk substances that were in compounding category 2 and whose nominations were then withdrawn.
Is MOTS-c authorized in Canada?
No MOTS-c product in the Health Canada Drug Product Database. Health Canada names MOTS-C among unauthorized injectable peptide drugs it has seized.
Has MOTS-c been tested in a randomized human trial?
No randomized human trial was found. What exists is listed under the studies heading on this page.
Sources
Each one was opened on 10 Oct 2026 and matched to the line it supports.
- Lee C et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab 2015. PubMed 25738459.
- Reynolds JC et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nat Commun 2021. PubMed 33473109.
- Cataldo LR et al. Plasma MOTS-c levels are associated with insulin sensitivity in lean but not in obese individuals. J Investig Med 2018. PubMed 29593067.
- Hudson Biotech (sponsor) MOTS-c for Improving Insulin Sensitivity in Adults With Prediabetes and Overweight/Obesity 2026. clinicaltrials.gov. Trial NCT07505745.
- CohBar, Inc. (sponsor) A Phase 1a/1b Study of CB4211 in Healthy Non-obese Subjects and Subjects With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease 2021. clinicaltrials.gov. Trial NCT03998514.
- Miller B et al. Mitochondria-derived peptides in aging and healthspan. J Clin Invest 2022. PubMed 35499074.
- US Food and Drug Administration Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks 2026. fda.gov.
- Health Canada Think twice before injecting peptides bought online: unauthorized products can seriously harm you 2026. recalls-rappels.canada.ca.
- Health Canada Health Canada Drug Product Database, active ingredient search: mots-c 2026. health-products.canada.ca.
- World Anti-Doping Agency The Prohibited List 2026. wada-ama.org.
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MOTS-c dosage10 mg vialLongevityStatus in Canada
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