Dihexa
Dihexa is an angiotensin IV analog with animal data only. A retraction weakens its main mechanism claim.
Checked by the PU Research editorial team — evidence-graded against primary sources. Last check: 23 July 2026. Sources: 2. Who checks this
01Identity & Classification
Dihexa is N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6)aminohexanoic amide. The development code is PNB-0408.
It is a metabolically stabilized angiotensin IV analog. It crosses the blood-brain barrier. Washington State University developed it.
02Mechanism: How It Works
The proposed mechanism has two parts:
- High-affinity binding to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), plus potentiation of HGF/c-Met signaling. This drives synaptogenesis in the hippocampus.
- Activation of PI3K/AKT.
Reliability flag. The journal retracted a key paper on the HGF/c-Met mechanism, because of data fabrication. That retraction weakens the first claim.
03Research Findings
Evidence tier: preclinical only.
McCoy et al. (2013) showed procognitive effects in rat models. The compound was orally active and crossed the blood-brain barrier.
Sun et al. (2021) showed cognitive rescue in an APP/PS1 Alzheimer's mouse model, through PI3K/AKT.
Evidence limit. No human trial exists.
04Reported Dosing & Delivery
No high-authority human dosing exists.
05Pharmacokinetics & Timing
In animal models the compound is orally active and crosses the blood-brain barrier. No human figure exists.
07Safety & Contraindications
No human data exist.
One theoretical concern. HGF and c-Met have roles in cancer. That gives a theoretical oncogenic concern.
08Monitoring & Biomarkers
No validated biomarker exists.
09Regulatory Status
No regulator approves Dihexa. No human data exist.
WADA does not name it directly. Growth-factor modulators fall under the catch-all language in section S2.
10Works Cited
- 01McCoy AT, et al. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2013. PMID 23055539. View source →
- 02Sun M, et al. Brain Sciences, 2021. PMID 34827486. View source →
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