Cerebrolysin is a peptide preparation made by enzymatic breakdown of porcine brain protein, consisting of roughly 25% low-molecular-weight peptides and 75% free amino acids. It has decades of animal, cell and human research, with mixed conclusions across clinical reviews.
Cerebrolysin is described as a mixture of small peptides and amino acids with neurotrophic-like activity in lab models [1]. In Neuro-2A cells exposed to oxidative stress, researchers measured higher BDNF and NRG-1 gene expression [1]. Proposed further actions, including effects on inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB) and the blood-brain barrier, are drawn mainly from animal work and remain under investigation [3].
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BDNF expression in Neuro-2A cells [1] | Cell Neuro-2A cells exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide | Modest improvement in cell viability; significant rise in BDNF and NRG-1 mRNA. Authors call it a preliminary finding. | Peer-reviewed Cureus 2024 |
| Randomized, blinded rat MCAO study [2] | Rat Male and female Wistar rats, embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded | Amounts of 2.5 ml/kg and above improved neurological scores at day 28 (p<0.001); 5.0 ml/kg reduced lesion volume (p=0.016). No sex interaction. | Peer-reviewed Int J Stroke 2016 |
| Post-thrombectomy cohort [3] | Human Adults after mechanical thrombectomy; prospective cohort (n=75) vs 75 historical controls, propensity-matched 51 per group, single center | Primary endpoint: functional independence (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) at day 90. Published; authors call for prospective confirmation. | Peer-reviewed Front Neurol 2025 |
| CLINCH pilot trial design [4] | Human Adults, phase IV, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint, multicenter; 88 planned participants, 90-day follow-up | Primary endpoints: 90-day mortality and functional independence (mRS 0-2). Trial design paper published; results not yet reported. | Peer-reviewed Front Neurol 2025 |
Human trials are listed for research context only; outcomes are reported in the linked publications. Animal and lab results do not establish effects in humans.
PureLab does not supply this compound. This page summarizes published research only.
