PT-141 acts by targeting brain regions involved in sexual arousal rather than the peripheral vascular system; in this Phase I trial, it has demonstrated the ability to increase genital blood flow.
As bioactive substances that regulate various cellular functions within the body, peptides play a role in diverse fields, including hormonal regulation, neurotransmission, cellular growth, and reproduction.
In contrast to protein-based drugs-which are characterized by complex mechanisms of action, potent side effects, and high costs-active peptide drugs offer a unique set of advantages: small molecular weight, simple structure, and non-immunogenicity; well-defined mechanisms of action, high potency, low therapeutic dosages, and minimal side effects; ease of synthesis; facile absorption via multiple pathways, allowing for diverse routes of administration; and high synthetic purity, free from pyrogens.
Currently, advanced technological methods enable the isolation of a wide variety of bioactive peptides from animal, plant, and microbial sources. Their primary physiological functions include immune modulation, the promotion of growth and development, anti-thrombotic and anti-hypertensive effects, cholesterol reduction, the inhibition of bacteria and viruses, anti-cancer and antioxidant activities (including free radical scavenging), and the enhancement of elemental absorption and mineral transport.