ARA-290
Cibinetide
REC PPT-ARA-290 // REV 2026-10-04 // assessment changes are logged, never silent
Erythropoietin-derived peptide trialled in humans for neuropathic pain.
What it is
An 11-amino-acid peptide derived from erythropoietin, designed to retain tissue-protective activity without stimulating red blood cell production.
What it does
Acts on the innate repair receptor, studied for neuropathic pain and small-fibre neuropathy, including in sarcoidosis.
Does it work?
One of the better-evidenced compounds in the healing category, with actual human clinical trials — though for specific neuropathy indications rather than general recovery.
Claims vs data
Each marketing claim, tagged by what the evidence actually supports.
| Trialled in humans for neuropathic pain | supported |
| Improved small-fibre neuropathy measures in sarcoidosis | partially true |
| A general-purpose healing peptide | overreach |
Reference figures
Quoted from published reference material. These are not Peptuity recommendations.
molecular data — PubChem CID 91810664
The evidence, counted
Live counts from Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov.
84 publications indexed, but only 2 randomised controlled trials and 4 registered interventional studies. Human evidence exists but is thin.
SRC // EUROPE PMC + CTGOV // "ARA-290" // FETCHED 2026-10-04 // 84 RECORDS
Most-cited literature
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[01]
Diabetic Macular Edema: Current Understanding, Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications
Zhang J, Zhang J, Zhang C, Zhang J, Gu L, Luo D, Qiu Q. · Cells 2022 · 212 citations · DOI 10.3390/cells11213362
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[02]
The Roles of Mechanical Stresses in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis: Implications for Treatment of Joint Injuries
Buckwalter JA, Anderson DD, Brown TD, Tochigi Y, Martin JA. · Cartilage 2013 · 185 citations · DOI 10.1177/1947603513495889
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[03]
Diabetic neuropathy: cutting-edge research and future directions
Yang Y, Zhao B, Wang Y, Lan H, Liu X, Hu Y, Cao P. · Signal Transduct Target Ther 2025 · 169 citations · DOI 10.1038/s41392-025-02175-1
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[04]
The Many Facets of Erythropoietin Physiologic and Metabolic Response
Suresh S, Rajvanshi PK, Noguchi CT. · Front Physiol 2019 · 163 citations · DOI 10.3389/fphys.2019.01534
Regulatory status
Formal, dated regulatory actions.
WADA — Prohibited List 2026
Prohibited in sport — WADA S0 (substance without any health-authority approval)
Common questions
What was ARA-290 designed to avoid?
Erythropoietin’s red-blood-cell stimulation. It keeps the tissue-protective signalling while dropping the haematological effect that made EPO dangerous off-label.
What do its human trials cover?
Neuropathic pain and small-fibre neuropathy, notably in sarcoidosis, under the development name cibinetide. Specific indications — not general recovery.
Is it approved?
No. Trials exist, which is more than most healing peptides can say, but no regulator has approved it.