Educational Guide

What Is SS-31?

A neutral, research-backed overview of SS-31 — its mechanism of action, published evidence, and current safety profile. This guide is designed for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.

20 cited studies
Updated: 2026-05-27
Mitochondrial Peptide

Overview

SS-31 is classified as a mitochondrial peptide peptide. Energy, recovery, neuroprotection.

Mitochondrial protection. Selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it stabilizes cardiolipin for efficient electron transport chain function.

Also known as: Elamipretide, Bendavia, MTP-131

Category

Mitochondrial Peptide

Half-Life

4h

Route

SubQ

FDA Status

Not Approved

How Does SS-31 Work?

Mitochondrial protection. Selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it stabilizes cardiolipin for efficient electron transport chain function.

At the molecular level, SS-31 operates through pathways characteristic of the Mitochondrial Peptide class, interacting with target receptors and downstream signaling cascades to produce its observed effects.

Published Research

The following studies are indexed from PubMed and peer-reviewed journals:

[1]SS-31 (Elamipretide) clinical trials overview

Szeto (Br. J. Pharmacol.): Comprehensive review of elamipretide mechanism and clinical trial results in heart failure, mitochondrial myopathy, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Evidence: moderate

[2]Elamipretide stabilizes cardiolipin and cristae structure

Birk et al. (Pharmaceuticals): Detailed mechanism review showing elamipretide binds cardiolipin, stabilizes mitochondrial cristae, reduces ROS, and improves oxidative phosphorylation.

Evidence: preclinical

[3]Elamipretide attenuates age-related cardiac protein modifications

Study demonstrating elamipretide can reverse age-associated post-translational heart protein modifications, restoring mitochondrial function in aged cardiac tissue.

Evidence: preclinical

[4]Elamipretide improves mitochondrial dysfunction and memory impairment

SS-31 improves LPS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and memory impairment in mice via BDNF signaling regulation.

Evidence: preclinical

[5]Elamipretide rescues muscle force and cardiac function in aging

Treatment improves ADP sensitivity in aged mitochondria by increasing ANT uptake, rescuing skeletal muscle force and cardiac systolic function.

Evidence: preclinical

[6]Comprehensive dry eye therapy: overcoming ocular surface barrier and combating inflammation, oxidation, and mitochondrial damage.

A study published in Journal of nanobiotechnology investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[7]Effect of Aficamten on Health Status Outcomes in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Results From SEQUOIA-HCM.

A study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[8]Reprogramming of Treg cell-derived small extracellular vesicles effectively prevents intestinal inflammation from PANoptosis by blocking mitochondrial oxidative stress.

A study published in Trends in biotechnology investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[9]SS-31, a Mitochondria-Targeting Peptide, Ameliorates Kidney Disease.

A study published in Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[10]Elamipretide alleviates pyroptosis in traumatically injured spinal cord by inhibiting cPLA2-induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization.

A study published in Journal of neuroinflammation investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[11]New insight for SS‑31 in treating diabetic cardiomyopathy: Activation of mitoGPX4 and alleviation of mitochondria‑dependent ferroptosis.

A study published in International journal of molecular medicine investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[12]Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance.

A study published in Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[13]Post-sepsis chronic muscle weakness can be prevented by pharmacological protection of mitochondria.

A study published in Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[14]SS-31@Fer-1 Alleviates ferroptosis in hypoxia/reoxygenation cardiomyocytes via mitochondrial targeting.

A study published in Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[15]Mitochondrial dysfunction and beneficial effects of mitochondria-targeted small peptide SS-31 in Diabetes Mellitus and Alzheimer's disease.

A study published in Pharmacological research investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[16]Polyphosphate- and Antioxidant Peptide-Based Coacervate Delivers miRNA.

A study published in ACS applied materials & interfaces investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[17]The mitochondria-targeted peptide SS-31 binds lipid bilayers and modulates surface electrostatics as a key component of its mechanism of action.

A study published in The Journal of biological chemistry investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[18]A multifunctional mitochondria-protective gene delivery platform promote intervertebral disc regeneration.

A study published in Biomaterials investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[19]Mitochondrial protein interaction landscape of SS-31.

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

[20]Peptide SS-31 upregulates frataxin expression and improves the quality of mitochondria: implications in the treatment of Friedreich ataxia.

A study published in Scientific reports investigating the effects and mechanisms.

Evidence: preclinical

Safety Profile

Well-tolerated in multiple Phase 2/3 trials. Granted Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations by FDA.

Side EffectIncidenceSeverity
Well-tolerated in Phase 2/3 trialsNo serious adverse events reportedmild
Injection site reaction~5% of usersmild

Sourcing SS-31 for Research

If you're looking to source SS-31 for laboratory research, our vendor directory compares pricing, purity testing, and COA verification from independently vetted suppliers.

* Research vendor — verify your regional regulations before purchase.

Full Research Profile

SS-31 — dosing, interactions, timelines & more

Comprehensive compound profile with sourcing information, stacking synergies, and outcome timelines.

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Last updated: 2026-05-27 · Educational Hub · Editorial Standards