MOTS-c is described as a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA. The source frames it as a metabolic and exercise-related research peptide, with animal work suggesting effects on insulin sensitivity and exercise capacity. Human efficacy evidence is not established in the supplied material.

Is MOTS-c FDA approved?

No. The supplied source states that MOTS-c is not FDA approved and characterizes its current status as preclinical, with early human studies beginning and a compounding-category note still subject to formal FDA action.

What side effects are reported for MOTS-c?

The source lists generally well-tolerated use, injection-site bumps, palpitations, nausea and bloating, fatigue, possible histamine release, possible metformin interactions, and unknown long-term effects. These are reported safety notes from the source, not a comprehensive clinical safety profile.

What dose information is reported for MOTS-c?

The source gives community-reported use of 5-10 mg weekly, a range of 5-15 mg per week, and subcutaneous administration. It also separately lists a research/preclinical row of 5-10 mg daily with variable duration. These entries are evidence notes for review, not medical instructions.

Hormonal Preclinical - animal studies only

MOTS-c

Also known as: Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-c

At a glance

PeptiGuide dataset · reviewed Aug 2026

What it is

Mitochondrial peptide researched for metabolic and exercise-related signaling.

Status

Preclinical

Evidence level: animal studies

Typical dose

5–10mg

Subcutaneous injection

Researched for

Metabolic health, exercise performance, insulin sensitivity

Trial progress

PrePreclinical
IPhase I
IIPhase II
IIIPhase III
IVPhase IV
FDAFDA approved

Preclinical - Promising animal research, limited human data

Use the tools

In plain language

16-amino-acid mitochondrial encoded in the 12S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA.
Studied for metabolic health, exercise performance, and insulin sensitivity.
Evidence in the supplied source is mainly animal and , with observational human exercise findings but no completed published randomized human efficacy trials reported.
Not FDA approved according to the source.

How it's thought to work

MOTS-c is presented as a mitochondrial with a proposed metabolic signaling role. The source links its activity to AMPK activation after effects on folate-AICAR-one-carbon metabolism, with downstream research interest in fatty-acid oxidation, glucose handling, and mitochondrial biogenesis. It also reports that MOTS-c may enter the nucleus during metabolic stress and influence stress-response genes, a mechanism that remains under investigation.

What the research shows

Where the research stands

The supplied source reports strong interest in MOTS-c, especially in mouse models where it is associated with improved insulin sensitivity, resistance to diet-induced obesity, and longer treadmill running in older animals. Human evidence in the source is more limited and described as observational: exercise was reported to increase MOTS-c in skeletal muscle and circulation. The source also states that, as of 2026, completed published randomized human trials have not shown supplemental MOTS-c to produce weight loss, metabolic improvement, or longevity effects in people. It is also noted as relevant to anti-doping monitoring, reinforcing its experimental and performance-related research context.

What it shows

✓ Animal studies

Promising animal research, limited human data

△ Limitations

Animal study doses may not translate directly to humans.

Bottom line: Preclinical; source notes early human studies beginning and FDA Category 2 status pending formal reclassification review. Not FDA Approved

Typical dosing

CommunityCommunity dataset

5–10 mg

weekly

5 mgfull range seen15 mg

Community-reported dosing for metabolic-health use; the source says it is often reported on exercise days and 2-3 times weekly. This is not established clinical dosing.

Research dosing

Animal studies onlyAnimal studies only - may not translate to humans

Doses observed in studies

5-10 mg daily

Preclinical Research - Doses from animal/in-vitro studies

Animal study doses may not translate directly to humans.

Duration: Variable by protocol
Administration: Subcutaneous injection

Timing & administration

Best time to take

Morning or pre-workout

3-5 times per week

Food recommendation

Empty stomach

Why this timing?

The source favors morning or pre-exercise timing because MOTS-c is being studied in relation to metabolic function and exercise capacity. This is a research-context timing rationale, not validated treatment guidance.

Possible side effects

Not everyone experiences these. Individual responses vary with dose, duration, and personal factors.

Generally well-tolerated
Injection-site reactions, including persistent bumps
Palpitations
Nausea and bloating
Fatigue
Possible histamine release
Potential interactions with metformin
Unknown long-term effects

Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity can vary by context, purity, route, and individual health factors.

Sources

PubMed ClinicalTrials.gov FDA.gov

Frequently asked questions

The proposed model centers on AMPK signaling. The source describes MOTS-c as affecting folate-AICAR-one-carbon metabolism, increasing AICAR, and engaging AMPK in metabolically active tissues such as muscle, liver, and fat. It also reports possible movement into the nucleus during metabolic stress, where it may influence stress-response gene activity. These pathway details remain research-stage rather than settled clinical knowledge.

Sequence

Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg

One open dataset

Every fact on this page - doses, side effects, references - comes from the same PeptiGuide dataset that powers the Tracker, Compare, and the Lab.

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Educational resource, not medical advice. Talk to your clinician before acting on anything here.

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MOTS-c

In plain languageIn plain language

How it's thought to workHow it's thought to work

What the research showsWhat the research shows

Typical dosing

Research dosing

Timing & administrationTiming & administration

Possible side effectsPossible side effects

SourcesSources

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions

What does MOTS-c do?

How does MOTS-c work?