Mitochondria
Inflammation
What is SS-31? Benefits, Research & Legality (2025 Guide)
SS-31 is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide specifically designed to optimize mitochondrial function, protect cells from oxidative stress, and improve overall cellular energy production. By directly stabilizing mitochondrial membranes and reducing oxidative damage, SS-31 enhances mitochondrial performance, promoting cellular health, resilience, and improved physiological function across various tissues.
SS-31
Overview
SS-31, also known as Elamipretide or Bendavia, is a synthetic, mitochondria-targeted peptide extensively studied for its powerful antioxidant, cytoprotective, and mitochondrial-protective properties. Specifically designed to optimize mitochondrial function, SS-31 selectively binds to and stabilizes cardiolipin—an essential phospholipid in mitochondrial membranes—protecting mitochondria from oxidative stress, improving energy production (ATP synthesis), and enhancing overall cellular function. By significantly reducing oxidative damage and preserving mitochondrial integrity, SS-31 shows considerable promise for managing conditions associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and age-related degenerative conditions. Clinical research highlights its potential therapeutic benefits in improving cardiac function after myocardial infarction, reducing damage from ischemic events, and enhancing neurological recovery in diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Ongoing studies further explore its efficacy in managing mitochondrial-related diseases, improving metabolic health, and slowing age-related decline. Due to its targeted mitochondrial mechanism, strong safety profile, and demonstrated benefits in preclinical and clinical trials, SS-31 continues to attract significant attention as a versatile and promising therapeutic candidate in mitochondrial medicine, cardiovascular health, neuroprotection, and longevity research.
What is
SS-31
?
SS-31, also known as Elamipretide or Bendavia, is a synthetic mitochondrial-targeted peptide renowned for its potent antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. Developed primarily to combat mitochondrial dysfunction, SS-31 has generated significant interest for its potential therapeutic applications in a variety of conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and age-related degenerative diseases. Although not yet FDA-approved for general therapeutic use, extensive ongoing research underscores its significant therapeutic promise.
How it Might Work
Mitochondrial Protection and Optimization
SS-31 effectively targets mitochondria, stabilizing cardiolipin, a crucial phospholipid component of mitochondrial membranes. This stabilization significantly reduces mitochondrial oxidative stress and improves mitochondrial bioenergetics, enhancing ATP production, and maintaining optimal mitochondrial function, thereby supporting overall cellular health and resilience.
Reduction of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
SS-31 demonstrates potent antioxidant properties, effectively reducing oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) within mitochondria. By mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation, SS-31 protects cellular integrity and function, potentially reducing progression in various oxidative stress-related conditions and degenerative diseases.
Enhanced Cellular Energy and Function
Through its mitochondrial-protective action, SS-31 significantly enhances cellular energy production, promoting optimal cellular function and metabolic efficiency. Enhanced mitochondrial function contributes to improved tissue resilience, reduced cellular degeneration, and better physiological performance, offering potential therapeutic benefits in aging, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative conditions.
What People are Saying
Interest in Mitochondrial Medicine
Researchers and healthcare providers specializing in mitochondrial medicine widely recognize SS-31’s promising therapeutic potential, frequently highlighting its robust mitochondrial-protective effects and improved cellular function in preclinical and clinical studies. Scientific discussions consistently emphasize its therapeutic promise in managing mitochondrial dysfunction-related diseases.
Positive Feedback in Clinical Research
Clinical researchers actively endorse SS-31 based on positive outcomes observed in early-phase clinical trials, particularly in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Its demonstrated efficacy in enhancing mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress, and improving patient outcomes encourages continued rigorous investigation.
Cautious Optimism Among Medical Professionals
Medical professionals approach SS-31 with cautious optimism, recognizing its substantial therapeutic potential while stressing the importance of comprehensive clinical validation, detailed safety evaluations, and clearly defined therapeutic guidelines for broader clinical application.
What its Being Studied for
Cardiovascular Health and Heart Failure
SS-31 is extensively studied for its therapeutic potential in cardiovascular health, particularly heart failure and myocardial infarction recovery. Clinical studies highlight improved mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced cardiac performance, indicating significant promise in cardiovascular therapeutics.
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Given its robust mitochondrial protective effects, SS-31 is actively explored for therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate reduced neuronal damage, improved cognitive function, and slowed disease progression, underscoring its therapeutic potential.
Age-Related Degenerative Conditions
Research continues to explore SS-31 for managing age-related degenerative conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration, sarcopenia, and general aging-related cellular decline. Studies demonstrate improved mitochondrial function, enhanced cellular resilience, and reduced progression of degenerative processes, supporting its therapeutic promise in age-related medicine.
Research Use Only
SS-31 is strictly intended for laboratory and clinical research:
Available exclusively from authorized research suppliers
Not FDA-approved for general therapeutic use
Comprehensive safety, efficacy, and dosage guidelines remain under ongoing investigation
FAQ
Is SS-31 legally available?
Yes, SS-31 is legally available for research purposes from specialized suppliers but is not approved for general therapeutic use.
Have human trials been conducted with SS-31?
Yes, human trials have demonstrated promising results in improving mitochondrial function, cardiovascular health, and neurodegenerative conditions. Comprehensive clinical research remains ongoing.
What are potential side effects of SS-31?
Reported side effects in clinical studies are minimal and generally mild, including mild gastrointestinal symptoms or injection site reactions. Extensive safety studies continue to be necessary.
How is SS-31 typically administered?
SS-31 is typically administered via intravenous or subcutaneous injections in clinical research settings, with dosing protocols adjusted based on specific therapeutic objectives.
Can SS-31 be combined with other therapeutic agents?
SS-31 is frequently studied in combination with other therapies. Controlled clinical studies are essential to establish safe and effective combination treatments.
Does SS-31 provide permanent improvements in mitochondrial function?
SS-31 significantly improves mitochondrial function during active administration. Sustained benefits typically require ongoing or periodic treatments.
Dive Into the Research
Szeto, H.H. (2014). First-in-class cardiolipin-protective compound as a therapeutic agent to restore mitochondrial bioenergetics. British Journal of Pharmacology.
Brown, D.A., et al. (2013). Reduction of early reperfusion injury with the mitochondria-targeting peptide bendavia. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Zhao, K., et al. (2004). Cell-permeable peptide antioxidants targeted to inner mitochondrial membrane inhibit mitochondrial swelling, oxidative cell death, and reperfusion injury. Journal of Biological Chemistry.
(The above references are representative and support the research context of MOTS-c. All claims are for research purposes only and do not imply approved medical use.)
About the Author
Jake Reynolds
Last Updated
June 19, 2025