Why Pancragen Stands Out
Pancragen — also written pancragene — is a synthetic tetrapeptide, Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp (KEDW), classified within the bioregulator family as pancreas-associated.
It has six published papers naming it directly. That is the largest compound-specific literature of any member of this family, and two of those papers are in old rhesus monkeys — the only non-human-primate work in the entire set.
Structurally it is also the most interesting comparison case available: KEDW is KED extended by a single tryptophan. One residue separates the family's best-documented compound from one with no literature at all.
Research use only. Supplied for laboratory research. Not for human or veterinary use. No marketing authorisation exists and no therapeutic claim is made.
Primate Studies
Two papers from the same group report on old female rhesus monkeys: correction of impaired glucose tolerance using the tetrapeptide (Goncharova et al., Adv Gerontol 2015, PMID 28509500) and the impact of the tetrapeptide on endocrine function of the pancreas in old monkeys (Goncharova et al., 2014, PMID 25946840).
Primate data is a genuine step up from rodent work in physiological proximity. It is not a substitute for a controlled human trial, and these are small-cohort ageing studies from one laboratory, not a programme.
Rodent and Cell Work
The rodent literature centres on experimental diabetes: an effect on blood glucose, capillary permeability and adhesion in rats with experimental diabetes mellitus (Khavinson et al., Bull Exp Biol Med 2007, PMID 18642713) and an effect on functional morphology of the pancreas in the same model (Kvetnoi et al., 2007, PMID 18225766).
At cell level, a study reports effects on the differentiation of pancreatic cells during ageing (Khavinson et al., Bull Exp Biol Med 2013, PMID 23486591). A further paper discusses prospects for correction of metabolic disorders in elderly people (Korkushko et al., 2011, PMID 22448364) — read the design carefully, since "prospects" papers in this literature are frequently discussion rather than controlled trial.
Reading the Evidence
Convergence across levels is the real strength. Cell differentiation, rodent physiology and primate glucose handling point the same direction. That is a better evidentiary shape than six papers at one level would be.
The concentration caveat still applies. The primate work is from a single group, and most of the set is from the originating programme.
Ageing models are not disease models. These are studies in old animals, not in a human metabolic condition.
No amount is established for any species or context, and none is offered here.
Structure and Handling
- Sequence. Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp (KEDW), tetrapeptide.
- Formula. C26H36N6O9, 576.61 g/mol.
- Form. Lyophilised powder, ≥98% purity, third-party certificate of analysis per batch.
- Storage. Sealed vial at −20 °C, protected from light; reconstituted solution at 2–8 °C.
- Reconstitution. Bacteriostatic water down the vial wall, never onto the powder cake. Do not shake. See the reconstitution calculator.
The catalog record for this compound previously carried a molecular formula inconsistent with the stated sequence. It has been corrected against the sequence and verified. If you sourced material against the earlier figure, check the certificate of analysis for the batch you hold.
Related Compounds
Vesugen/Vesilute (KED) is Pancragen minus the tryptophan and has no compound-specific literature — a useful contrast if sequence-length effects are the question. See the bioregulator overview for the full family.