PE-22-28

Key points

• PE-22-28 is a short synthetic peptide, a shortened version of a peptide called spadin.
• It blocks the TREK-1 channel, which in animals is linked to quicker antidepressant effects than standard medicines.
• All the evidence is from animal and laboratory work. There are no human trials.
• It is not a licensed medicine in the UK and is sold only for research use.

Quick facts

What it is

Experimental antidepressant peptide (spadin derived)

Studied for

Fast acting antidepressant effects

UK status

Not a licensed medicine; sold for research use

Human evidence

None; animal and laboratory studies only

How it works

The TREK-1 channel helps control the activity of certain brain cells, and blocking it has been linked in animals to antidepressant effects that appear faster than with usual medicines. PE-22-28 also touches a second pathway involved in the health of brain connections. These are animal findings, not proven effects in people.

What the evidence shows

The evidence is entirely preclinical, from rodent and laboratory studies. There are no registered human trials, no established dose, and no safety data in people.

What it does not settle

• There are no human trials of benefit or safety.
• There is no established human dose or safety profile.
• Whether the animal antidepressant effect occurs in people is unknown.

Side effects

Less common but serious

• Human safety is unstudied, so the risks are not known.
• Because there is no licensed product, the dose, purity and contents of material bought online cannot be verified.

Report any suspected side effect through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

UK legal status and access

PE-22-28 has no UK marketing authorisation, so it is not a licensed medicine and is not offered by registered clinics or pharmacies. It is sold online as a research chemical.

Common questions