Name: Dihexa Capsules | 10mg | 30ct | Captide Labs
SKU: CPT-CAPS-DIHEXA-10MG
Price: 129.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Description

Cognitive →·Performance →

Dihexa Research Capsules | HGF/MET Potentiator & Procognitive Peptide

Captide Labs Dihexa capsules provide researchers with a precisely dosed, encapsulated format of one of the most potent cognition-related peptidomimetic compounds investigated in preclinical neuroscience research. Each capsule delivers 10mg of Dihexa at greater than 98% purity, independently verified by HPLC-MS analysis and documented with a full Certificate of Analysis.

Dihexa (CAS 1401708-83-5, also known as PNB-0408 or N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide) is a small oligopeptide derived from angiotensin IV (AngIV) and developed at Washington State University. It binds hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with high affinity (Kd ≈ 65 pM) and potentiates HGF signaling at the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase — a pathway with established roles in synaptogenesis, neuronal survival, and cognitive function. In published neurotrophic activity assays, Dihexa has been reported as several orders of magnitude more potent than BDNF in hippocampal spinogenesis models.

Research Specifications

Compound

Dihexa (PNB-0408)

CAS Number

1401708-83-5

Molecular Formula

C₂₇H₄₄N₄O₅

Molecular Weight

504.67 g/mol

Chemical Class

Peptidomimetic (AngIV analogue)

Target

HGF / c-Met (Kd ≈ 65 pM)

Purity

>98% (HPLC-MS Verified)

CNS Permeability

Blood-Brain Barrier Permeable

Format

Encapsulated Powder

Amount Per Capsule

10mg

Capsules Per Bottle

Testing Standard

ISO 17025 Accredited Lab

Other Ingredients

Gelatin (Vegan), Rice Flour, Silicon Dioxide

What is Dihexa?

Dihexa is a small peptidomimetic compound derived from angiotensin IV (AngIV), developed at Washington State University through structure-activity relationship studies aimed at identifying potent HGF/MET pathway modulators. It was specifically designed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier — a significant challenge for peptide-based neurological research compounds — while retaining potent biological activity at the c-Met receptor. Its IUPAC name is 6-[(2S,3S)-2-[(2S)-2-hexanamido-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanamido]-3-methylpentanamido]hexanamide.

The HGF/MET signaling axis plays well-established roles in neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and neuroprotection. Dihexa’s reported ability to potentiate HGF-mediated c-Met receptor activation — without activating c-Met on its own at the concentrations studied — has made it a subject of significant research interest in models of cognitive decline, neurodegeneration, and hippocampal function, particularly in conditions associated with reduced HGF/MET signaling such as Alzheimer’s disease research models.

Research Overview

Areas of Active Dihexa Investigation

HGF / c-Met Receptor Potentiation

Dihexa’s primary mechanism involves binding HGF with high affinity (reported Kd ≈ 65 pM) and potentiating its signaling at the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase. Importantly, Dihexa at low nanomolar and picomolar concentrations does not activate c-Met on its own, but markedly augments the capacity of subthreshold HGF concentrations to activate the receptor — characterizing it as a positive allosteric potentiator rather than a direct agonist. Downstream signaling includes PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathway activation.

Synaptogenesis & Hippocampal Function

Preclinical studies from the Harding and Wright laboratories at Washington State University reported that Dihexa significantly increased dendritic spine density and synaptic connectivity in hippocampal neuron cultures, and improved performance in spatial learning tasks in rodent models. These findings positioned Dihexa as a uniquely potent tool compound for studying HGF-driven synaptogenesis and hippocampal-dependent memory formation.

Cognitive Decline & Alzheimer’s Disease Models

Animal models of age-related cognitive decline and chemically-induced memory impairment have been used to investigate Dihexa’s effects on learning and memory. Researchers have examined its potential to restore cognitive function in scopolamine-induced amnesia models and in aged rodent models with documented hippocampal-dependent memory deficits. It has been characterized in the literature as a procognitive/antidementia tool compound.

Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration & Oral Bioavailability

A key research interest is Dihexa’s lipophilicity and reported ability to cross the blood-brain barrier following peripheral administration, including oral dosing. Researchers have studied its CNS bioavailability compared to parent AngIV analogues — which themselves cross the BBB poorly — and its long circulating half-life that supports once-daily dosing protocols in animal models.

Neuroprotection & Neuronal Survival

HGF/c-Met signaling is a well-characterized neuroprotective pathway in central and peripheral nervous system research. Researchers have investigated Dihexa in models of oxidative stress-induced neuronal death and chemically-induced neurotoxicity, examining whether MET potentiation is sufficient to activate pro-survival PI3K/Akt signaling in neurons under conditions mimicking neurodegenerative pathology.

Neurotrophic Comparison Studies

Published neurotrophic activity assays from the original developing laboratory reported Dihexa as several orders of magnitude more potent than brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampal spinogenesis models. This has made Dihexa a benchmark tool compound for researchers comparing the relative potency of small-molecule versus protein-based neurotrophic signaling agents in CNS regeneration research.

Third-Party Certificate of Analysis

Every batch of Dihexa capsules is independently tested by an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory. View the full COA including identity confirmation, purity assay, heavy metals, and microbial results on the Captide Labs Lab Reports page.

View COA →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dihexa used for in research?

Dihexa is used in neuroscience research as a tool compound for studying HGF/c-Met receptor signaling, synaptogenesis, dendritic spine formation, hippocampal-dependent cognition, and neuroprotection. It is of particular interest for investigating cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease-related models, and for studying the role of HGF signaling in synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival.

What is Dihexa’s mechanism of action?

Dihexa binds hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with high affinity (reported Kd ≈ 65 pM) and potentiates HGF activity at the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase. Notably, Dihexa at low nanomolar and picomolar concentrations does not activate c-Met on its own — it functions as a positive potentiator, markedly augmenting the capacity of subthreshold HGF concentrations to activate the receptor. Downstream c-Met activation engages PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways that regulate neuronal survival, synaptic growth, and plasticity. It is derived from the angiotensin IV framework and was specifically designed for CNS penetration.

What purity is Captide Labs Dihexa?

Each batch of Dihexa capsules meets a minimum purity of greater than 98% as verified by independent HPLC-MS analysis. A full Certificate of Analysis is available on our Lab Reports page for every production batch, including identity confirmation, assay results, heavy metals screening, and microbial limits.

What is the CAS number for Dihexa?

The CAS number for Dihexa is 1401708-83-5. Its molecular formula is C₂₇H₄₄N₄O₅ and its molecular weight is 504.67 g/mol. It is also known by the development code PNB-0408 and the chemical name N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide. The full IUPAC name is 6-[(2S,3S)-2-[(2S)-2-hexanamido-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanamido]-3-methylpentanamido]hexanamide. It was developed at Washington State University as a potent, orally active peptidomimetic HGF/c-Met potentiator.

How does Dihexa compare to BDNF in neurotrophic potency?

In published neurotrophic activity assays from the originating Washington State University laboratory, Dihexa was reported to be several orders of magnitude more potent than brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampal spinogenesis models. This positions Dihexa as a uniquely potent small-molecule tool compound in research comparing the relative efficacy of small-molecule versus protein-based neurotrophic signaling agents — particularly relevant given that BDNF itself crosses the blood-brain barrier poorly while Dihexa was specifically designed for CNS permeability.

How is the purity of Captide Labs Dihexa verified?

Every batch of Captide Labs Dihexa capsules is independently tested by an ISO 17025-accredited third-party laboratory. Testing includes identity confirmation via HPLC-MS, purity assay (greater than 98%), heavy metals screening, and microbial contamination analysis. The full Certificate of Analysis for each batch is publicly available on the Captide Labs Lab Reports page.

For research use only. Not for human consumption, veterinary use, or food/agricultural applications. Not evaluated or approved by the FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. All purchases are made with the understanding that this compound is strictly for in-vitro research and laboratory use. See the full Research Use Only (RUO) Policy.

FDA Disclosure & Intended Use

FDA Disclosure: The statements on this website and the products sold herein have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Products sold are for Research Use Only and are not for human or animal use.

Intended Purpose: Products sold on this site are intended solely for basic laboratory research, pharmaceutical research, or the development of new tests. They are not intended for diagnostic, therapeutic, or clinical use.

Storage Instructions

Handling and Storage Tips:

Keep peptides cold and away from light once received.
For short-term use (days to weeks), refrigeration at 4°C (39°F) is acceptable.
Lyophilized peptides are typically stable at room temperature for several weeks, making it suitable for moderate-term storage.
For long-term storage (months to years), it’s best to freeze peptides at -80°C (-112°F). Freezing optimally preserves peptide stability for extended periods.

Reviews (0)

Thanks for your review!

Your feedback helps us improve our service.

error

Please Insert Review Title

Please Insert Review Feedback

Please Insert Your Email

Yes

Research Use Only (RUO) Policy

"RUO" is an abbreviation for Research Use Only. It is a designation used primarily by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for products, often in vitro diagnostic (IVD) components like reagents or instruments, that are in the laboratory research phase of development and are not intended for clinical diagnostic use.

READ MORE