Origin

Developed by Khavinson's group from amino-acid analysis of bovine cardiac tissue extracts, registered in Russia as both an injectable (cytamin) and oral tablet (cytomax), dating to the 1980s-90s bioregulator program.

Mechanism

Proposed to regulate cardiac cell proliferation and block apoptosis. In-vitro work shows stimulated myocardial explant growth and reduced p53 expression, pointing to a pro-survival, regenerative effect on heart tissue.

Research summary

Evidence

Research is limited to small Russian studies. A 2009 organotypic-culture study showed stimulated myocardial proliferation and reduced apoptosis markers in both young and aged rat tissue; a related gene-expression study found an altered cardiac transcriptome after treatment. All evidence is in-vitro or animal; no human trials exist, and none of it is replicated in Western labs.

Evidence tier: Approved in Russia — see the methodology note for how this is assessed.

Citations

[The effect of the amino acids and cardiogen on the development of myocard tissue culture from young and old rats] — Chalisova et al. 2009

Reported benefits

support for cardiac tissue repair/regeneration (preclinical)
potential inhibition of myocardial apoptosis
claimed anti-aging effects on heart tissue

Dosing protocols reported in the literature & community

These are protocols reported by compounding pharmacies, published trials, or self-experimentation communities — not a prescription. Start low, especially for anything new.

Reported dosing protocols
Route	Reported protocol
Intramuscular injection or oral tablet	Community dosing reports: 10-20 mg subcutaneously; no standardized human protocol validated in literature.

Side effects

minimal reported; cardiac safety monitoring data unavailable

Safety notes

Community & reddit notes (anecdotal — not clinical evidence)

One of the more-discussed Khavinson peptides in Western longevity circles for cardiovascular aging; all anecdotal and uncontrolled.