An introduction to the evidence.
Start with the words and questions. Use the library when you have a compound to look up.
1. What is a peptide?
A peptide is a chain of amino acids. The catalog also includes related substances that are not peptides, such as the coenzyme NAD+. A familiar category name does not mean that all its members work in the same way.
Try this: Look for a compound’s identity and chain description before reading an effect claim.
2. Which exact substance?
A natural substance, a modified derivative, a tested medicine and a vendor’s research product are different records. The name, chemical form, formulation and route matter. A result for one does not automatically apply to another.
For example, the catalog’s N-acetyl amidated Semax and Selank entries are modified forms. Parent-compound findings and approval records must not be inherited by those derivatives.
3. What kind of evidence?
- Human study
- Ask who was studied, what was compared, which outcome was measured and how long follow-up lasted.
- Animal or cell experiment
- A result in that model does not establish a benefit in people.
- Mechanism
- An explanation of how something might act is not proof of a clinical outcome.
- Unverified claim
- When a direct primary source has not been verified, the claim is marked unknown. This is a limitation of this review, not proof that no research exists.
A citation may correct a claim or concern another molecule. Always read the limitations beside it. A trial with a negative overall result does not become positive because an exploratory subgroup looked promising.
4. What remains unknown?
Ask whether findings apply to the exact substance, product, route and population in front of you. Short or small studies may leave important harms unanswered. Product quality and sterility are separate from a study’s efficacy result. Approval also has a specific product, indication and jurisdiction.
Try this: Find one limitation and one unanswered question before deciding what a claim means.
5. Mass, volume and concentration
Mass: mg and mcg describe an amount; 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. Volume: mL describes liquid volume. Concentration: mass divided by final solution volume, such as mg/mL.
Syringe markings depend on the device scale. On a U-100 syringe, 100 scale units correspond to 1 mL. Those markings do not establish a drug’s biological activity or an appropriate dose.
Arithmetic can translate supplied quantities. It cannot choose a treatment, validate a preparation, establish sterility or determine a safe storage period.
Where next?
Find a compound · Open the A–Z glossary · Read our methods and limits · Start learning: how to read peptide evidence
The advanced vial planner models inventory from explicit assumptions. Learn the measurement terms first.