Ara 290
Also known as: Cibinetide
Tissue-Protective Peptide | Innate Repair Receptor Agonist
Overview
Ara 290 is an engineered 11-amino acid peptide activating the Innate Repair Receptor (IRR) to provide tissue-protective effects without red blood cell stimulation. Has FDA Orphan Drug status.
Key benefits
- Proven tissue protection
- Nerve regeneration
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Excellent safety profile in clinical trials
Mechanism of action
Activates IRR through EPOR/β-common receptor complex, triggering tissue-protective signaling without erythropoietic effects.
Molecular data
- Type
- Engineered peptide
- Half-life
- ~20 minutes (SubQ), ~2 minutes (IV)
Sequence
pGlu-Glu-Leu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ser
Indications
What the research community uses this compound for, with self-reported effectiveness.
Neuroprotection
Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Most effective23% increase in corneal nerve fiber area with sustained pain improvement.
Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment
Most effectiveNerve regeneration and metabolic improvements in Type 2 diabetes patients.
CNS Protection
Most effectiveCrosses blood-brain barrier for stroke and TBI neuroprotection.
Tissue Repair
Wound Healing
EffectiveImproves epithelialization and angiogenesis via VEGF upregulation.
Cardiovascular Protection
EffectiveReduces infarct size in myocardial infarction models.
Anti-Aging Effects
EffectiveMaintains cardiac function in aging models.
Anti-Inflammatory
Cytokine Reduction
ModerateReduces TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 production.
IBD Support
ModerateReduces colitis severity in animal models.
Transplant Protection
ModerateImproves graft survival and reduces rejection.
Dosing protocols
Common protocols by delivery method. Adjust the curve below to model accumulation in your own cycle.
Injectable
Primary clinical administration route with proven efficacy.
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Route / duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropathy Treatment | 4 mg daily | Once daily | SubQ |
| Tissue Protection | 1-8 mg daily | Once daily | SubQ |
| Acute Intervention | 2 mg | 3x weekly | IV |
Preparation
You will need
- Ara 290 lyophilized powder (4 mg vial)
- Sterile water for injection
- Sterile syringes and needles
- Alcohol swabs
- Light protection
Steps
- Allow vial to reach room temperature (15-20 minutes)
- Clean vial top with alcohol swab
- Slowly inject 1 mL sterile water
- Gently swirl to dissolve (no vigorous shaking)
- Slight cloudiness is normal
- Use immediately or refrigerate up to 24 hours
- Protect from light
- Rotate injection sites
Work out the water volume and syringe units in the reconstitution calculator →
Interactions
Pairwise interactions with other compounds you might be cycling — the same data behind the cycle builder's safety check.
EPO
AvoidClinical trials exclude EPO use within 2 months due to receptor interference.
Anti-TNF Biologics
Avoid6-month washout required before Ara 290 to avoid immune interactions.
NAD+
MonitorBoth affect cellular metabolism; monitor for additive effects.
Growth Hormone
MonitorBoth affect tissue repair; requires monitoring for excessive growth factor activity.
BPC-157
SynergisticComplementary tissue repair pathways may enhance wound healing.
TB-500
SynergisticCombined mechanisms enhance recovery from injury.
Thymosin Beta-4
CompatibleNo known interactions; different mechanisms for tissue protection.
Semaglutide
CompatibleNo adverse interactions in clinical trials with GLP-1 agonists.
Timeline
Typical week-by-week effects reported in clinical and observational data.
- Week 1-2
Initial anti-inflammatory effects and mild pain symptom improvement
- Week 2-4
Progressive nerve regeneration, improved tissue healing markers
- Week 4-6
Peak therapeutic effects, maximum nerve fiber density improvements
- Month 2-6
Long-lasting benefits via molecular switch effect
Safety
Reported adverse effects, contraindications, and what to monitor on cycle.
Common side effects
- Excellent safety profile in clinical trials with no serious drug-related adverse events
Stop signs — stop and seek advice
- Severe injection site reactions
- Unexpected blood count changes
- Allergic reaction signs
- Worsening of underlying condition
- New neurological symptoms
- Any serious adverse events
Contraindications
- Recent anti-TNF therapy (within 6 months)
- EPO use (within 2 months)
- Pregnancy
- BMI > 34 kg/m²
Monitoring
- Injection site reactions
- Anti-drug antibody development
- Blood count changes
- No hematopoietic effects or polycythemia risk unlike erythropoietin
Quality checks
What a legitimate product looks like, what should give pause, and what should make you stop.
Good signs
- Pharmaceutical grade manufacturing with GMP conditions
- Proper peptide sequence verification - correct 11-amino acid sequence with N-terminal pyroglutamate
- Sterile lyophilized powder with proper freeze-drying
- Clinical batch documentation - Purity >95%, endotoxin <1 EU/mg, sterility verified
Warning signs
- Light-sensitive formulation - requires protection during storage and use
Stop signs — don't use
- Cloudy or discolored solution indicates degradation; should be clear to slightly cloudy
Recent research
Newer papers and trial readouts on file for this compound, with source and date.
2024 · Neurotherapeutics
Erythropoietin-Derived Peptide ARA290 Mediates Brain Tissue Protection Through the Beta-Common Receptor in Mice with Cerebral Ischemic Stroke
ARA290 provided significant neuroprotection via beta-common receptor in cerebral ischemic mice, reducing neuronal apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine levels without causing erythropoiesis.
2024 · Aging Cell
A Small Erythropoietin-Derived Non-Hematopoietic Peptide Reduces Cardiac Inflammation, Attenuates Age-Associated Declines in Heart Function and Prolongs Healthspan
Chronic ARA-290 treatment mitigated age-related cardiac changes: reduced non-myocyte to myocyte ratio, infiltrating leukocytes, and pro-inflammatory cytokines while maintaining cardiac function.
References
Primary literature and clinical-trial data informing this entry.
Cibinetide Improves Corneal Nerve Fiber Abundance in Patients With Sarcoidosis-Associated Small Nerve Fiber Loss and Neuropathic Pain
Dahan A, Brines M, Niesters M, Cerami A, van Velzen M · Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2017
Phase 2b trial, 64 subjects with sarcoid neuropathy, 1-8mg SC daily for 28 days. Cibinetide significantly increased corneal and skin small nerve fiber abundance, consistent with disease-modifying effect. 23% increase in corneal nerve fiber area at 4mg dose.
ARA 290, a Nonerythropoietic Peptide Engineered from Erythropoietin, Improves Metabolic Control and Neuropathic Symptoms in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Brines M, Dunne AN, van Velzen M, et al. · Molecular Medicine · 2015
Phase 2 trial, 4mg SC daily for 28 days in T2DM patients. Improvement in HbA1c and lipid profiles sustained 4 weeks post-dosing. Neuropathic symptoms significantly improved. Corneal nerve fiber density increased.
A Phase 2 Clinical Trial on the Use of Cibinetide for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema
Lois N, Gardner E, McFarland M, et al. · Translational Vision Science & Technology · 2020
9 patients, 4mg SC daily for 12 weeks. No serious adverse events. Improvement in NEI VFQ-25 composite quality of life scores. Some participants showed improvements in CRT, tear production, diabetic control, and albuminuria.
A Small Nonerythropoietic Helix B Surface Peptide Based Upon Erythropoietin Structure Is Cardioprotective Against Ischemic Myocardial Damage
Brines M, Patel NSA, Villa P, et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2008
Engineered helix B surface peptide (pHBSP/ARA-290) from EPO structure. Increased reactive oxygen species threshold for mitochondrial permeability transition by 40%. Reduced ischemic myocardial infarct size equivalent to EPO without erythropoietic effects.
Neuroprotection with an Erythropoietin Mimetic Peptide (pHBSP) in a Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Complicated by Hemorrhagic Shock
Robertson CS, Garcia R, Gaddam SSK, et al. · Journal of Neurotrauma · 2013
pHBSP reduced contusion volume from 20.8mm3 (control) to 5.9mm3. Improved cerebral blood flow recovery and beam-walking performance. Neuroprotective effects similar to EPO without thrombotic risk.
Last updated . How this page was sourced is described in the methodology.