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Mitochondrial & Energy Research Guide

ARA-290: Mechanism, Handling & Research Guide

Also known as: ARA-290, Cibinetide, ARA 290, pHBSP, EPO-derived helix-B 11-mer

Key Facts

ARA-290 is a mitochondrial & energy research peptide (C45H68N12O15, MW 1009.1 g/mol). Cibinetide (ARA-290) is an 11-amino-acid erythropoietin-derived peptide studied for tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory signaling. For laboratory research use only. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder for laboratory and in-vitro research use only — not for human consumption.

Classification Erythropoietin-derived 11-amino-acid peptide; selective innate repair receptor (EPOR/CD131 beta-common heteromer) agonist; non-erythropoietic tissue-protective peptide
Molecular Formula C45H68N12O15
Molecular Weight 1009.1 g/mol
CAS Number 1208243-50-8
Research Half-Life Short; minutes-range plasma half-life reported for the parent non-erythropoietic EPO-derived peptides - not precisely characterized for ARA-290 in the public literature
Form Lyophilized powder
Research Category Mitochondrial & Energy

What is ARA-290?

ARA-290, also known as cibinetide, is a small peptide derived from the structure of erythropoietin that selectively engages the innate repair receptor (a heteromer of the EPO receptor and the CD131 beta-common receptor) without stimulating erythropoiesis. Research has explored its role in modulating inflammatory cascades, supporting neuronal and vascular tissue under stress, and influencing pain pathways associated with small-fiber neuropathy. Because it does not raise hematocrit, it has been investigated as a tool for studying tissue-protective EPO signaling in isolation. This compound is supplied as a lyophilized powder for in-vitro and laboratory research use only and is not intended for human or veterinary use.

ARA-290 Research Applications

In published and preclinical research, ARA-290 has been studied across the following areas:

  • Innate repair receptor signaling research
  • Anti-inflammatory pathway studies
  • Neuroprotection and small-fiber neuropathy models
  • Tissue repair research

ARA-290 in Research: Study Context

Published literature characterizes ARA-290 (cibinetide) as an 11-mer derived from the helix-B region of erythropoietin that selectively engages the innate repair receptor, a heteromer of the EPO receptor and the CD131 beta-common receptor, activating anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective signaling without stimulating erythropoiesis (Brines et al., PNAS 2008). Randomized pilot studies in sarcoidosis-associated small-fiber neuropathy report changes in neuropathic/autonomic symptom scores and corneal nerve fiber measures (Heij/Dahan/Brines, Mol Med 2012 and 2013). For laboratory research use only; ARA-290 is not FDA-approved (it has held orphan-drug designation but is not an approved therapy) and no human concentration is established here. Reconstitute the lyophilized powder with bacteriostatic water to a defined working concentration (e.g., 10 mg/mL for a 10 mg vial) for in-vitro and model use, reference the primary literature, and document the lot-specific COA.

How ARA-290 Compares

Researchers frequently evaluate ARA-290 alongside related compounds:

  • ARA-290 vs BPC-157 — Both are studied as tissue-protective peptides, but ARA-290 acts through a defined EPOR/CD131 innate repair receptor, while BPC-157 is associated with NO-system and angiogenic signaling; the contrast is a specific receptor target versus a broad cytoprotective profile.
  • ARA-290 vs KPV — KPV targets NF-kB-driven inflammation as an alpha-MSH fragment, whereas ARA-290 engages the innate repair receptor; researchers compare distinct anti-inflammatory entry points in neuro-inflammation models.

ARA-290 — Frequently Asked Questions

How does ARA-290 differ from erythropoietin in research models?
ARA-290 is engineered to activate only the innate repair receptor (EPOR/CD131 beta-common heteromer) that mediates tissue-protective signaling, without engaging the homodimeric EPO receptor that drives red-blood-cell production. In published models it therefore does not raise hematocrit, which lets researchers study tissue-protective EPO signaling in isolation. Research context only; not a therapeutic claim.
What conditions has ARA-290 been studied in clinically?
Randomized, double-blind pilot studies (Brines and colleagues, Molecular Medicine) examined ARA-290 in sarcoidosis patients with small-fiber neuropathy, reporting changes in neuropathic and autonomic symptom questionnaires and increases in corneal nerve fiber density. These are early-phase research findings; ARA-290 is not FDA-approved and no human concentration is provided here.
Why doesn't ARA-290 affect hematocrit in studies?
Because ARA-290 selectively targets the innate repair receptor rather than the classical erythropoietic EPO receptor, published work reports tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory signaling without erythropoiesis. This selectivity is the main reason it is used as a research tool for separating EPO's protective effects from its blood-forming effects.
How is ARA-290 prepared for laboratory research?
For in-vitro work the lyophilized powder is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water to a defined concentration (for example, 10 mg/mL for a 10 mg vial), added slowly along the vial wall without agitation, then refrigerated. Laboratory handling guidance only; ARA-290 is not FDA-approved and no human is implied.
Is ARA-290 legal to buy for research?
ARA-290 is sold in the United States as a research chemical for laboratory and in-vitro use only. It is not approved by the FDA for human use and is not sold for human consumption. Researchers are responsible for compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Does ARA-290 come with a Certificate of Analysis?
Yes. Every batch of ARA-290 from Elyte Peptides ships with a third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA) documenting identity and HPLC purity (≥98%), so research results can be traced to a verified lot.
What is ARA-290?
Cibinetide (ARA-290) is an 11-amino-acid erythropoietin-derived peptide studied for tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory signaling. For laboratory research use only. It is supplied in 10mg vials and intended strictly for in-vitro and laboratory research use only.
How should ARA-290 be stored?
ARA-290 should be stored at -20°C for long-term storage or 2-8°C for short-term use. Keep the vial sealed and protected from light, moisture, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Once reconstituted, store at 2-8°C and use within 30 days.
What purity is ARA-290?
ARA-290 is manufactured to a minimum purity of ≥98% as verified by HPLC analysis, with identity confirmed by mass spectrometry. Each batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis (COA).

Research References

  1. Brines M, Patel NSA, Villa P, et al. Nonerythropoietic, tissue-protective peptides derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin. PNAS 2008.
  2. Heij L, Niesters M, Swartjes M, et al. Safety and efficacy of ARA 290 in sarcoidosis patients with symptoms of small fiber neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind pilot study. Mol Med 2012.
  3. Dahan A, Dunne A, Swartjes M, et al. ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density. Mol Med 2013.
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