Comparison
FOXO4-DRI vs. Oxytocin
Two peptides side-by-side — identity, evidence base, legal status and known adverse events.
Identity
Category
Research other
Research other
CAS no.
2074706-72-8
50-56-6
Molecular weight
3735 g/mol
1007.19 g/mol
Half-life
0.5 h
0.05 h
Sequence
D-Retro-Inverso-Variante eines FOXO4-Peptid-Fragments (LTLRKEPASEIAQSILEAYSQNGWANRRSGGKR — D-Aminosäuren in umgekehrter Sequenz)Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2Mechanism of action
FOXO4-DRI
FOXO4-DRI is the D-retro-inverso variant of a peptide fragment of the FOXO4 transcription factor. In senescent cells, FOXO4 is bound to p53, which suppresses p53-mediated apoptosis — the cells survive in a secreting 'zombie-like' state (senescence-associated secretory phenotype, SASP). The DRI peptide disrupts this FOXO4-p53 binding, freeing p53, and the senescent cell initiates apoptosis. Healthy cells are largely unaffected because p53 is not held back by FOXO4 in them. This selectivity was the central finding of the original 2017 publication.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is synthesised in the hypothalamus and released via the posterior pituitary. Peripherally it binds the oxytocin receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor, and through the phospholipase-C cascade and calcium release triggers contraction of uterine smooth muscle and milk ejection — the pharmacological basis of the obstetric approval. Centrally, oxytocin acts as a neuromodulator and has been linked to social bonding, trust and modulation of stress and anxiety circuits. Its central effects in humans are mechanistically incompletely understood, particularly because it is unclear to what extent peripherally or intranasally administered oxytocin crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Evidence base
Highest evidence
Animal model
Human RCT
Studies
3
4
of which in humans
0
4
Effects recorded
3
3
Open conflicts
1
1
Documented adverse events
1
0
Legal status
Full entries
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between FOXO4-DRI and Oxytocin?
- FOXO4-DRI is classified as "Research other", while Oxytocin is classified as "Research other". FOXO4-DRI: Synthetic peptide with D-Retro-Inverso structure (all amino acids as D-form, sequence reversed), developed in 2017 as an experimental senolytic candidate. Goal: selective apoptosis of senescent cells via disruption of the FOXO4-p53 interaction. So far evaluated exclusively preclinically. Oxytocin: Oxytocin is an endogenous nonapeptide hormone of the posterior pituitary. In synthetic form (Pitocin, Syntocinon) it has been approved for decades to induce and augment labour and to control postpartum uterine bleeding. Strictly separate from this is intranasal use to influence social behaviour, trust, anxiety or autism symptoms: this use is unapproved, purely experimental, and yields inconsistent and often negative results in controlled trials. This page contrasts both neutrally and source-based — with no usage or dosing recommendation.
- Which peptide is better supported by science, FOXO4-DRI or Oxytocin?
- The highest available evidence level is "Animal model" for FOXO4-DRI and "Human RCT" for Oxytocin. A higher evidence level means more robust data, but says nothing about suitability for an individual. The full body of evidence is on each peptide's own page.
- What is the legal status of FOXO4-DRI and Oxytocin in Germany and the United States?
- Germany: FOXO4-DRI — Research only, Oxytocin — Prescription. United States: FOXO4-DRI — Research only, Oxytocin — Prescription. These are factual summaries with source and review date on the individual pages.