For In Vitro Research Use Only – Not for Human or Veterinary Application
Dihexa (PNB-0408)
Dihexa is a peptidomimetic cut down from angiotensin IV. Joseph Harding and John Wright's group at Washington State University took the Nle-Tyr-Ile core of Nle1-angiotensin IV and capped both ends: hexanoyl at the front, 6-aminohexanoic amide at the back. The goal was a version stable enough to survive metabolism. It was first characterized in 2012–2013.
The mechanism is proposed, and the key paper has been retracted
The developers proposed that Dihexa binds hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and boosts HGF-driven activation of its receptor, c-Met, rather than acting at an angiotensin receptor. The main paper setting out that mechanism (Benoist et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014) was retracted in April 2025. A companion 2012 paper was also retracted, and the 2013 paper that first described Dihexa has carried an expression of concern since 2021. Later papers from other labs still call it an HGF/c-Met activator, but they rest on the original claim. Read the HGF/c-Met mechanism as a hypothesis.
Independent work
PI3K/AKT signalling in APP/PS1 mice
Aminoglycoside hair-cell loss in larval zebrafish
Repeated mild traumatic brain injury and rat sciatic-nerve repair models
A rat Huntington's model (3-nitropropionic acid), where the authors reported no protection
Stem-cell biology, where it is used as a cheap, stable stand-in for recombinant HGF to turn pluripotent stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells
There are no registered human trials.
Certificate and pack
Lot PCS-DX-1226F: 99.0% by LC-MS, PGL Chem, report dated February 12, 2026. 30 capsules of 5 mg per bottle.
Sources
McCoy et al. 2013, first description (expression of concern): PMID 23055539
Disclaimer
This compound has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All use must follow institutional and regulatory guidelines.
Terms of Sale
By purchasing, the buyer affirms they are a qualified researcher or institution. All sales are final. The purchaser assumes full responsibility for handling, use, and regulatory compliance. Dihexa reference material is supplied for qualified in vitro laboratory research only — not for human or veterinary consumption, administration, compounding, dispensing, diagnostic use, therapeutic use, or patient use.
Dihexa
