LL-37

FDA APPROVAL PENDING

LL-37

Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide | Immune Defense & Wound Healing

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Healing

LL-37

Immunity

Amino acid sequence

27

Amino acids

4493da

Molecular weight

Peptide

Type

LL-37 is a 37-amino acid cationic antimicrobial peptide derived from the human cathelicidin precursor hCAP-18, naturally produced by neutrophils, macrophages, and epithelial cells. It disrupts microbial membranes through electrostatic binding and pore formation, while simultaneously modulating innate and adaptive immune responses. It is studied in research and clinical contexts for wound healing, chronic infections, and oncology.

Top researched benefits

Overview of LL-37

LL-37 binds to negatively charged bacterial membranes via its net positive charge (+6), inserts into the lipid bilayer, and forms transmembrane pores that cause cell lysis. Beyond direct microbial killing, it acts on host cells through formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) and P2X7 receptors to modulate cytokine production, promote angiogenesis, and recruit immune cells to sites of infection or injury.

wound healing

  • 68% ulcer area reduction demonstrated with 0.5mg/mL concentration in clinical trials.
  • Enhanced granulation tissue formation and wound closure.
  • Accelerated healing demonstrated in animal models.

immunity

  • Boosts natural immune defenses against pathogens.
  • Active against MRSA and multi-drug resistant bacteria with >4 log reduction in biofilms.
  • Balances immune responses without causing immunosuppression.

skin health

  • Stimulates skin cell growth and regeneration.
  • Promotes new blood vessel formation for tissue repair.
  • Supports collagen production for wound healing.

Typical Dose

100–200 mcg per injection

Frequency

once daily, 5 days per week

Cycle Duration

2–4 weeks on, 2 weeks off

Storage

Lyophilized: stable at room temp up to 3 weeks; store desiccated below -18°C for long-term. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8°C for 2–7 days or store below -18°C; avoid freeze-thaw cycles.

Chemical Makeup

Key benefits

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, and biofilms through direct membrane disruption

Accelerates wound healing in venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers by stimulating keratinocyte migration, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis

Modulates innate and adaptive immune responses by regulating cytokine production, reducing excessive inflammation without impairing pathogen clearance

Demonstrates direct antitumor activity against melanoma and other cancer cells via membrane disruption and induction of apoptosis in Phase 1 trials

Community interest

This peptide is still gaining traction in the community.

Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide | Immune Defense & Wound Healing

This overview is informational and based on aggregated descriptions from studies and user reports.

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LL-37 Molecular Information

View the scientifc details of LL-37.

27

Amino Acids

LL-37

Ala

Ala

Position 1

Pro

Pro

Position 2

Val

Val

Position 3

Ser

Ser

Position 4

Val

Val

Position 5

Gly

Gly

Position 6

Gly

Gly

Position 7

Gly

Gly

Position 8

Thr

Thr

Position 9

Val

Val

Position 10

Leu

Leu

Position 11

Ala

Ala

Position 12

Lys

Lys

Position 13

Met

Met

Position 14

Tyr

Tyr

Position 15

Pro

Pro

Position 16

Arg

Arg

Position 17

Gly

Gly

Position 18

Asn

Asn

Position 19

His

His

Position 20

Trp

Trp

Position 21

Ala

Ala

Position 22

Val

Val

Position 23

Gly

Gly

Position 24

His

His

Position 25

Leu

Leu

Position 26

Met

Met

Position 27

Amino acid sequence
AlaninePosition 1
ProlinePosition 2
ValinePosition 3
SerinePosition 4
ValinePosition 5
GlycinePosition 6
GlycinePosition 7
GlycinePosition 8
ThreoninePosition 9
ValinePosition 10
LeucinePosition 11
AlaninePosition 12
LysinePosition 13
MethioninePosition 14
TyrosinePosition 15
ProlinePosition 16
ArgininePosition 17
GlycinePosition 18
AsparaginePosition 19
HistidinePosition 20
TryptophanPosition 21
AlaninePosition 22
ValinePosition 23
GlycinePosition 24
HistidinePosition 25
LeucinePosition 26
MethioninePosition 27

Molecular Weight

4493Da

Chain Length

27Amino Acids

Type

Peptide

LL-37 Protocols

Subcutaneous injection is the primary delivery route for LL-37, offering systemic immune activation, antimicrobial defense, and wound healing support. Inject into abdominal or upper thigh fat, rotating sites frequently to minimize local irritation from this cationic peptide.

GoalDosageFrequencyRoute
Immune support / antimicrobial defense1001 day rangeSubQ
Immune modulation (moderate)2001 day rangeSubQ
Advanced immune activation4001 day rangeSubQ
Wound healing / tissue repair2005 week rangeSubQ near wound or systemically
Antimicrobial / infection recovery3001 day rangeSubQ
Maintenance / low-dose cycle1005 week rangeSubQ

Reconstitution Instructions

Materials needed:

Insulin syringes (0.5–1 mL, 29–31 gauge) for injection3 mL syringe with 18–21 gauge drawing needle for reconstitutionBacteriostatic water (2 mL per 5 mg vial)Alcohol swabsLL-37 lyophilized powder vial (5 mg)

Steps to reconstitute

  1. Allow the LL-37 vial to reach room temperature before handling (approximately 15–20 minutes)
  2. Draw 2 mL of bacteriostatic water into a 3 mL syringe using an 18–21 gauge drawing needle
  3. Insert the drawing needle through the rubber stopper of the LL-37 vial at an angle
  4. Inject the bacteriostatic water slowly down the inner wall of the vial — never aim the stream directly onto the lyophilized powder
  5. Remove the syringe and gently roll the vial between your palms for 30–60 seconds until the powder is fully dissolved — do not shake
  6. Allow the reconstituted solution to sit for 1–2 minutes to ensure complete dissolution before drawing a dose
  7. Reconstituted solution (2.5 mg/mL) should be refrigerated at 2–8°C and used within 4 weeks; for longer storage, freeze at -20°C for up to 6 months
  8. Draw the desired dose into a fresh insulin syringe — at 2 mL reconstitution, 1 unit on a U-100 syringe equals 25 mcg
  9. Pinch the skin at the injection site (abdomen or upper thigh), insert needle at 45°, inject slowly, then withdraw the needle
  10. Rotate injection sites with each administration to reduce local tissue reaction

LL-37 Cycle

The LL-37 Cycle section explains how long a typical cycle lasts and what to expect during each phase. Over time, your body can become less responsive with continuous use.

Taking breaks between cycles may help maintain effectiveness and support better overall results.

Week 1-2
Reduced bacterial load, initial wound bed preparation
Week 2-4
Increased granulation tissue formation, epithelial migration
Week 4-6
Significant wound size reduction
Week 6-8
Continued healing toward wound closure

Dosing tools

LL-37 Peptide Dosage Calculator

Calculate peptide doses with our visual syringe guide.

mg

Enter the total amount of peptide in the vial in milligrams (as stated on the label).

The dose you want to inject per administration, in mcg or mg.

1,000 mcg = 1 mg

1 mL

2 mL

3 mL

5 mL

Custom

Volume of bacteriostatic water you add to reconstitute the powder. Use BAC water for preservation.

Injection Results

Based on your vial and dilution inputs.

LL-37

SINGLE COMPOUND

Volume per injection

0.05

mL

Concentration

10.00

mg/mL

Doses per vial

20

doses

Total injections per vial

20 injections

How it works

Based on a 10 mg LL-37 vial diluted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 500 mcg injection equals 0.05 mL.

1mL / 100 units

5 units

0.050 mL

Reference Guide

Dosing Cycle

Peptide
LL-37
Dosing
100–200 mcg per injection
Dosing Frequency
once daily, 5 days per week
Cycle Duration
2–4 weeks on, 2 weeks off
Storage
Lyophilized: stable at room temp up to 3 weeks; store desiccated below -18°C for long-term. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8°C for 2–7 days or store below -18°C; avoid freeze-thaw cycles.

Note: Triple agonist; microdose for fewer side effects

Reconstitution Tips

  • Use bacteriostatic water (BAC)contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol for preservation
  • Inject water slowlyaim down the vial wall, not directly onto powder
  • Never shakegently swirl or roll the vial until dissolved
  • Store properlyrefrigerate at 2-8°C after reconstitution
  • Use within 28 daysmost reconstituted peptides remain stable for about 4 weeks
  • Keep sterilealways clean vial tops with alcohol before drawing

Peptide Interactions

Research suggestions of LL-37 interactions with other common peptides and substances.

Healing

bpc

Longevity

BPC-157

SYNERGISTIC

Enhanced wound healing through complementary mechanisms.

SYNERGISTIC

Healing

tb5

Longevity

TB-500

SYNERGISTIC

Combined anti-inflammatory and healing effects.

SYNERGISTIC

Side effects

Contraindications

Pre-existing hypersensitivity to peptides

Compromised immune status (relative contraindication)

Non-sterile wound environments

Stop signs

Severe injection site reactions with spreading inflammation

Allergic reaction signs (rash, difficulty breathing, swelling)

Persistent flu-like symptoms

Signs of wound infection (increased redness, warmth, drainage)

Worsening wound condition or delayed healing

Unusual pain or irritation at application site

Bad signs

Discolored or cloudy solutionsYellow discoloration or visible particlesPre-mixed liquid formulations (LL-37 unstable long-term)Non-sterile preparationsMicrobial contamination
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Frequently asked questions

What is a peptide dosage calculator?

A peptide dosage calculator is a free tool that converts your vial size, bacteriostatic water volume, and target dose into an exact syringe draw volume. Instead of doing the reconstitution math by hand, you enter three inputs and instantly get the concentration of your solution and how many milliliters or syringeunits to draw. This calculator works for single peptide compounds and multi-peptide blends.

How do I calculate peptide dosage from a vial?

To calculate your peptide dose, divide the total peptide content of your vial in micrograms by the volume of bacteriostatic water you added in milliliters. This gives you your solution concentration in mcg/mL. Then divide your target dose by that concentration to get your draw volume. For example, a 5mg (5,000 mcg) vial reconstituted with 2mL of BAC water gives a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg dose would require drawing 0.1mL. This calculator automates all of those steps instantly.

How much Bacteriostatic water should I add to a peptide vial?

Most people add 2mL to 3mL of bacteriostatic water per vial, but the right amount depends on the dose you want to draw and the syringe size you are using. Adding 1mL to a 5mg vial gives you a concentration of 5,000 mcg/mL, making each dose very small in volume. Adding 2mL gives you 2,500 mcg/mL, which is easier to measure on a standard insulin syringe. A general guideline is to choose a volume that puts your typical dose somewhere between 10 and 30 units on a U-100 syringe. Use the calculator above to test different water volumes and find what works for your dose.

How are peptides different from proteins?

Both are made of amino acids, but peptides are much smaller than proteins. Because of their tiny size, peptides can act like tiny messengers in the body, sending specific signals to your cells to tell them exactly what to do.​

LL-37Research References

LL-37 is a phase 2 compound

4Research references

LL-37

LL-37 is a phase 2 compound

Venous Leg Ulcer Trial - Grönberg et al.

68% ulcer area reduction demonstrated at optimal doses in chronic venous leg ulcers.

n.d.

Melanoma Phase I Trial

Intratumoral LL-37 in melanoma patients demonstrated safety and immune stimulation (NCT02225366).

2015

MRSA Biofilm Study - Noore et al.

>4 log reduction in MRSA biofilms compared to conventional antibiotics.

n.d.

Structural Analysis - Wang et al.

NMR spectroscopy determining 3D structure of LL-37.

n.d.

Calculate peptide dosages

Learning how to calculate a peptide dose? Use our beginner-friendly peptide dosage, blend, and accumulation calculators. Enter vial size, reconstitution volume, and target dose to get exact draw volumes instantly. No guesswork, just clear guidance that helps prevent common mistakes.