Thymosin Alpha-1

Thymosin Alpha-1 at a glance

Thymosin alpha-1 was first purified from a calf thymus preparation known as thymosin fraction 5, and it is now produced synthetically. Its 28 amino acids correspond to the N-terminal portion of prothymosin alpha, released by proteolytic processing, and the first residue carries an acetyl cap. Under the nonproprietary name thymalfasin, the peptide is marketed in a number of countries, chiefly in Asia and Latin America, but it is not approved by the U.S. FDA for any indication.

Price and availability

Sold by Lilipeptide and sent from China, this listing is a listing. It is listed at $110.00. As with every order here, the brand is paid only after you confirm delivery.

What it is studied for

Much of the mechanistic work places thymosin alpha-1 at the interface of innate and adaptive immunity. Studies in dendritic cells and other antigen-presenting cells report that it engages Toll-like receptor signaling, with TLR2 and TLR9 most often named, followed by activation of pathways such as MyD88 and NF-kappaB. Reported consequences include increased expression of maturation markers, changes in interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma output, and enhanced T-helper responses. Some authors also describe effects on regulatory T cells, suggesting a balancing role rather than simple stimulation. The precise receptor interaction remains incompletely defined.

Research and regulatory status

Clinical research on thymalfasin, conducted largely outside the United States, has examined chronic hepatitis B and C, use as a vaccine adjuvant, sepsis and supportive care in oncology, with results that vary by indication and trial quality. Interest revived during the COVID-19 pandemic through observational and small randomized studies whose conclusions were mixed. Its comparatively long human record makes it better characterized than most research peptides, but research-grade vials are not the registered pharmaceutical product.

Checking the lab data

Identity hinges on two details: the full 28-residue sequence and the N-terminal acetyl group. High-resolution mass spectrometry should return a mass consistent with the acetylated peptide, since a missing acetyl group lowers the value by about 42 Da. HPLC purity should come from a named laboratory with a batch number and test date attached. The lyophilized cake should be white and uniform, without collapse or discoloration.

This listing has no third-party report on file yet. The lab reports directory and the Thymosin Alpha-1 page show which brands do publish testing.

Listing details

Compound

Thymosin Alpha-1

Synonyms

T-alpha-1, Thymalfasin

Class

Thymic immunomodulatory peptide (28 amino acids)

Format

Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder

Sold by

Lilipeptide

Ships from

China

Lab report

Not yet published

Storage and preparation

Freeze-dried peptide keeps best sealed, cold and dark. Once it has been dissolved, refrigerate it, avoid repeated warming and follow the stability limits in your study protocol.

Buyer questions

Supplied for laboratory research only. Not for human or veterinary use, and not a substitute for any prescription medicine. Nothing on this page is medical advice.