The Peptide Nook

ARA-290

In plain English

ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid peptide modeled on a small part of erythropoietin (EPO), the hormone that makes red blood cells. It keeps EPO’s tissue-protecting effects but not its blood-thickening ones. It has been studied mainly for nerve pain.

What it's used for

  • Small-fiber neuropathy and nerve pain
  • Nerve repair
  • Inflammation
  • Blood-sugar control (being studied)

Benefits

In human studies, ARA-290 reduced neuropathic pain and increased the density of small nerve fibers in the cornea in people with sarcoidosis, and improved blood sugar and nerve symptoms in a small type 2 diabetes study.

  • Less nerve pain and burning
  • Regrowth of small nerve fibers
  • Calmer inflammation

How it works

In simple terms: it switches on EPO’s “protect and repair” signal without the “make more blood” signal.

It binds the innate repair receptor (EPO receptor paired with CD131), which appears on stressed or injured tissue. This reduces inflammation and supports nerve repair. It does not activate the receptor that drives red blood cell production.

Development history

  • 2000s: Developed by Araim Pharmaceuticals from research on EPO’s protective effects.
  • 2010s: Phase 2 trials in sarcoidosis neuropathy and diabetes.

Typical protocols

Educational information only, not medical advice. The information below describes how this peptide has been used in research, on prescription labels or by users. It is not a recommendation. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping or changing anything.

These doses come from clinical trials.

Use Dose Frequency Length
Neuropathy 4 mg Daily 28 days

Cycling

Studied in 28-day courses; effects continued after the course ended.

Administration options

Subcutaneous injection.

Reconstitution and dosing calculator

Usually comes in 10 mg or 16 mg vials, mixed with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water. It does not dissolve easily in water; follow the seller’s mixing instructions.

1Peptide in the vial

The total amount printed on the vial label.

2Bacteriostatic water added

More water makes each dose a bigger, easier-to-measure draw. It does not change how much peptide is in the vial.

3Dose per injection

Use the dose from your protocol or your clinician. 1 mg = 1,000 mcg.

4Your syringe

All three are U-100 insulin syringes: 100 units = 1 mL. Smaller barrels make small doses easier to read.

Draw your syringe to

– units

Volume to draw
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Concentration
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Each unit holds
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Doses per vial
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Show the math

    This tool does arithmetic only. It does not choose a dose or confirm that any substance is right for you. Double-check every result against your syringe and your clinician’s instructions.

    Side effects and safety

    • In trials, side effects were similar to placebo; mild headache and injection-site reactions were reported.
    • Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

    Common stacks

    BPC-157: for nerve and tissue healing.

    Storage

    Powder: refrigerate or freeze. After mixing: refrigerate at 2–8 °C and use within about 3–4 weeks.

    Compare with

    • EPO: raises red blood cells; ARA-290 does not.
    • BPC-157: a broader healing peptide.

    Frequently asked questions

    Will ARA-290 raise my red blood cell count?

    No. It was designed specifically to avoid that effect.

    References

    1. Dahan A, et al. ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density. Mol Med. 2013;19:334-345.
    2. Culver DA, et al. Cibinetide improves corneal nerve fiber abundance in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and neuropathic pain. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58(6):BIO52-BIO60.
    Educational information only. Not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

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