Mitochondrial & antioxidant
FOXO4-DRI
A senolytic peptide that clears aged cells in mice; a laboratory tool, not a tested human therapy.
What it is
FOXO4-DRI is a synthetic peptide built from D-amino acids so it survives digestion by enzymes. It is designed to force senescent 'zombie' cells — cells that have stopped dividing but keep releasing inflammatory signals — into self-destruction. The evidence comes entirely from mice and cell cultures, and it is not approved for any use.
How it works
- 1
Blocks the interaction between FOXO4 and p53 inside senescent cells.
- 2
Senescent cells depend on that interaction to avoid self-destruction; interrupting it makes them undergo apoptosis.
- 3
Non-senescent cells are spared in laboratory models, which is the theoretical advantage over broad senolytics.
- 4
The D-retro-inverso design resists enzyme breakdown, extending its activity.
- 5
Only rodent and cell data exist; human dosing, distribution and safety are unknown.
What it's studied for
Reported and studied effects
- Selective death of senescent cells in animal models
- Improved markers of tissue ageing in mice
- No verified human effect
- Injection-site reactions
Research protocol notes
Research context onlyResearch context only — no human protocol exists. Rodent studies used repeated intraperitoneal or intravenous doses measured in milligrams per kilogram over days. There are no published human safety, dosing or pharmacokinetic data, and self-administration schedules sold online are extrapolations from mice.
These figures are described so you can understand what researchers did. They are not a dose, a schedule, or a suggestion — and they are not a substitute for a doctor.
Possible side effects and contraindications
Safety profile
Possible side effects
- Not studied in humans
- Theoretical immune reaction to a synthetic D-peptide
- Unknown effect on wound healing and tissue repair, which depend on transient senescence
- Injection-site reactions
Contraindications and cautions
- Not established
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood
- Cancer history
- Any chemotherapy regimen without oncology review
A side-effect list is never complete, and these are not the only situations that warrant caution. Anything unexpected, or anything you are unsure about, should be discussed with a doctor before use.
Evidence assessment
The senolytic effect is documented in mice and cell cultures only; there are no human trials of FOXO4-DRI.
References
- 01FOXO4-DRI senolytic peptide in mice — PubMed search
- 02Cellular senescence and senolytics — PubMed search
References link to published literature, regulator pages or literature indexes. Where a link points to a search, it collects the peer-reviewed work on that molecule rather than a single study.
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