# Hexarelin

> Synthetic hexapeptide GHRP with potent GH-releasing activity.

- Class: Growth Hormone
- FDA approved: No
- Canonical page: https://www.americanpeptide.com/catalog/hexarelin

## Overview

Hexarelin is a synthetic GHRP-6 analog and a potent GH secretagogue with documented cardioprotective effects in preclinical models, mediated in part via CD36.

Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide in the GHRP family — a close analog of GHRP-6 — and one of the more potent growth-hormone secretagogues studied. It activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on pituitary somatotrophs.

A distinctive research thread is its action at the CD36 receptor, through which preclinical studies report cardioprotective effects independent of GH release. It is not FDA-approved.

## Mechanism

GHS-R1a and CD36 agonism.

## Chemistry

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Molecular formula | C47H58N12O6 |
| Molecular weight | 887 Da |
| CAS number | 140703-51-1 |
| PubChem CID | [6918297](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6918297) |

## Sequence

```
His-D-2-MeTrp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
```

## Research areas

Studied in: GH release, Cardioprotection models.

Guides on this site:

- [Wound Healing & Tissue Repair](https://www.americanpeptide.com/research-areas/wound-healing): Regenerative peptides studied for soft-tissue, tendon, and vascular repair.
- [Growth Hormone & Body Composition](https://www.americanpeptide.com/research-areas/growth-hormone-axis): Secretagogues studied for GH release, IGF-1, and body composition.

## Key research

- Potent GH release — among the strongest GHRP secretagogues; at equivalent doses releases more GH than GHRP-2, GHRP-6, or ipamorelin.
- Cardioprotection — CD36-mediated effects studied in preclinical cardiac models, independent of GH release.
- Compared to ipamorelin — more potent but less selective: hexarelin can elevate cortisol and prolactin where ipamorelin does not.
- Receptor desensitization — its broader, stronger activation shows greater tolerance / desensitization with sustained exposure.
- Not FDA-approved — research compound.

## FAQs

### What is hexarelin?

Hexarelin is a potent synthetic GHRP (a GHRP-6 analog) studied for growth-hormone release and, separately, cardioprotective effects.

### What is the CD36 connection?

Beyond GH release, hexarelin binds the CD36 receptor, through which preclinical studies report cardioprotective activity.

### How does it compare with ipamorelin?

Both are GHRPs, but hexarelin is more potent and less selective; ipamorelin is valued for releasing GH with minimal cortisol or prolactin effect.

### Is it approved?

No — it is a research compound. This page is a research and educational reference.

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Source: AmericanPeptide.com — https://www.americanpeptide.com/catalog/hexarelin
Data license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Attribution: AmericanPeptide.com.
Research reference only — computational and educational content, not medical advice.