SS-31 vs TB-500.
Quick Verdict
SS-31 is a mitochondrial peptide primarily researched for energy, recovery, neuroprotection, while TB-500 is a thymosin beta-4 fragment studied for muscle/tissue repair, flexibility, injury recovery. SS-31 has substantially more indexed research (20 studies) compared to TB-500 (15 studies). A key distinction: TB-500 has FDA approval status.
Side-by-Side Analysis
| Dimension | SS-31 | TB-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mitochondrial Peptide | Thymosin Beta-4 Fragment |
| Mechanism | Mitochondrial protection. | Upregulates actin for cell migration and wound healing. |
| Half-Life | ~4 hours | ~2 hours |
| Route | SubQ | SubQ |
| Typical Dose | 4000–4000 mcg | 2500–2500 mcg |
| Frequency | 7x/wk | 2x/wk |
| Evidence Level | Moderate | Preclinical |
| Indexed Studies | 20+ indexed | 15+ indexed |
| FDA Status | Research Only | Approved |
| Lowest Price | $75.00 / 10mg via Ascension Peptides | $39.99 / 10mg via Amino Club |
| Per-mg Cost | $7.50/mg | $4.00/mg |
Mechanism of Action Comparison
How SS-31 Works
SS-31 SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeting peptide studied for protecting heart and muscle cells from energy failure, currently in FDA Fast Track development for heart failure.
Mitochondrial protection. Selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it stabilizes cardiolipin for efficient electron transport chain function.
How TB-500 Works
TB-500 TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of Thymosin Beta-4 studied for accelerating muscle and tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and improving flexibility and range of motion after injury.
Upregulates actin for cell migration and wound healing. Reduces inflammation, encourages new blood vessel growth, and supports stem cell maturation for tissue repair.
Key Mechanistic Difference
SS-31 operates as a mitochondrial peptide, while TB-500 functions as a thymosin beta-4 fragment — these are fundamentally different pharmacological approaches.
Research Evidence
SS-31
20 studies- SS-31 (Elamipretide) clinical trials overviewSzeto (Br. J. Pharmacol.): Comprehensive review of elamipretide mechanism and clinical trial results in heart failure, m…Moderate
- Elamipretide stabilizes cardiolipin and cristae structureBirk et al. (Pharmaceuticals): Detailed mechanism review showing elamipretide binds cardiolipin, stabilizes mitochondria…Preclinical
- Elamipretide attenuates age-related cardiac protein modificationsStudy demonstrating elamipretide can reverse age-associated post-translational heart protein modifications, restoring mi…Preclinical
TB-500
15 studies- Thymosin Beta-4 wound healing and inflammationMalinda et al. demonstrate Tβ4 promotes wound healing via enhanced reepithelialization, collagen deposition, angiogenesi…Preclinical
- Thymosin β4 activates cardiac progenitor cells for myocardial repairSmart et al. (Nature) show Tβ4 activates endogenous cardiac progenitor cells, initiating myocardial and vascular regener…Preclinical
- Thymosin β4 Phase I safety study in healthy volunteersPhase I clinical trial demonstrates recombinant Tβ4 is well-tolerated at multiple IV doses in healthy volunteers, with n…Moderate
Vendor Pricing
· Affiliate links · Prices verified 2026SS-31
1 vendorAffiliate disclosure: PeptiDex may earn a commission from purchases via vendor links at no extra cost to you. See our methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take SS-31 and TB-500 together?▼
No direct interaction data is available for this specific pair. They target different receptor systems, suggesting they could potentially be combined, but no published protocol validates this combination.
Which has more research evidence — SS-31 or TB-500?▼
SS-31 has 20 indexed studies (highest evidence: Moderate). TB-500 has 15 indexed studies (highest evidence: Preclinical). SS-31 has a more extensive research base.
What is the price difference between SS-31 and TB-500?▼
At current verified vendor prices, TB-500 starts at $4.00/mg while SS-31 starts at $7.50/mg. Prices vary by vendor and vial size — see the full vendor comparison below.
Which is better for injury recovery — SS-31 or TB-500?▼
Both are researched for injury recovery. SS-31 addresses this via energy, recovery, neuroprotection. TB-500 approaches it through muscle/tissue repair, flexibility, injury recovery. The optimal choice depends on your specific research protocol and which mechanism aligns with your objectives.
Is SS-31 or TB-500 FDA-approved?▼
TB-500 has FDA approval (or is derived from an FDA-approved compound). SS-31 is a research compound without FDA approval for human use. FDA status reflects regulatory evaluation — not necessarily superiority for all research applications.
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Research Use Only — Not Medical Advice
This comparison is provided for educational and research purposes only. It does not constitute medical, prescribing, or treatment advice. Clinical data cited here is sourced from published peer-reviewed trials and FDA labels. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about medications or research compounds. PeptiDex is an informational resource and does not sell pharmaceutical products.