Compound research
TB-500: Research Overview & Current Status
TB-500 is a synthetic 7-amino-acid peptide fragment of thymosin beta-4. Current research status: preclinical research. TB-500 itself has not been studied in registered human clinical trials; the evidence base is predominantly preclinical, and most of the broader literature relates to full-length thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) rather than the TB-500 fragment specifically.
Overview
TB-500 is a synthetic fragment (Ac-LKKTETQ) corresponding to the actin-binding domain (residues 17-23) of thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4), a naturally occurring 43-amino-acid protein involved in actin regulation and cell migration. It was developed as a shorter, more stable, easier-to-characterize alternative to full-length Tβ4 for research purposes.
synthetic 7-amino-acid peptide fragment of thymosin beta-4
Research timeline
1999
Foundational study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology reporting that topical/intraperitoneal Tβ4 increased reepithelialization by up to 61% by day 7 in a rat full-thickness dermal wound model.
Source →2000s
Expansion of Tβ4/TB-500 research into skeletal muscle injury, cardiac tissue (post-ischemic models), neurological/spinal cord injury models, and corneal wound healing in animal studies.
Source →2024
Metabolism research (Rahaman et al.) reported that TB-500's wound-healing activity may stem from a metabolite, Ac-LKKTE, rather than the parent fragment itself.
Source →2026
A scoping review in Applied Sciences (MDPI) mapped the Tβ4/TB-500 tissue-repair literature and found direct TB-500 evidence for musculoskeletal applications limited to a single included study.
Source →
Active & recent research
Thymosin Beta-4 and TB-500 in Tissue Healing, Regeneration, and Musculoskeletal Repair: A Scoping Review
mapping the tendon, ligament, muscle, cartilage, and spine/intervertebral disc literature for Tβ4 and TB-500
Achilles tendon injury model research
tendon strength and collagen organization (type I collagen remodeling) following Tβ4 administration
TB-500 metabolite research
identification of Ac-LKKTE as an active metabolite potentially responsible for wound-healing activity attributed to TB-500
Key findings
- A 1999 rat dermal wound study reported that thymosin beta-4 increased reepithelialization by 42% at day 4 and 61% at day 7 versus saline controls, with increased collagen deposition and angiogenesis.
- Rat Achilles tendon injury studies reported statistically significant improvements in tendon strength and collagen organization in Tβ4-treated animals compared to controls.
- A 2026 scoping review found the musculoskeletal-specific literature for TB-500 (as opposed to full Tβ4) to be sparse, with direct TB-500 evidence limited to a single included study, and concluded the overall evidence base remains largely preclinical with limited human relevance.
- 2024 metabolism research suggested a metabolite of TB-500 (Ac-LKKTE) rather than the intact fragment may drive observed wound-healing effects, an open mechanistic question in the field.
Safety & regulatory notes
TB-500 is not FDA-approved for any human use and has not been evaluated in registered human clinical trials; no standardized human safety or dosing data exist. It is sold only as a research chemical. Growth factor/peptide compounds in this general class are subject to WADA's S2 prohibited category for competitive athletes, so individuals subject to anti-doping testing should assume it is prohibited.
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Where it's sold for research
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TB-500 FAQ
Is TB-500 FDA-approved?+
No. TB-500 has no FDA approval and has not been evaluated in registered human clinical trials.
What is TB-500 studied for?+
Preclinical (largely rodent) research has examined thymosin beta-4 and the TB-500 fragment in models of dermal wound healing, tendon repair, cardiac and corneal tissue, and skeletal muscle injury.
Is TB-500 the same as thymosin beta-4?+
No. TB-500 is a short synthetic fragment representing thymosin beta-4's actin-binding domain, not the full 43-amino-acid protein; most published wound-healing literature is on full-length Tβ4, and a 2026 scoping review found direct TB-500-specific evidence to be limited.
Is TB-500 legal to buy for research purposes?+
It is sold by some suppliers as a research chemical labeled not for human consumption; it has no approved therapeutic use and buyers should understand its unregulated status.
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