TB-500

LIMITED EVIDENCE

Also known as: Thymosin beta-4 fragment

Investigational — not approved for human use

Educational Overview

A synthetic fragment related to thymosin beta-4, studied in animal and laboratory models for tissue repair.

Research Mechanism

Preclinical research explores actin regulation and cell migration; human data is minimal.

Areas of Study

Wound/tissue models (animal)

Safety Considerations

Human safety not established. Banned in competitive sport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TB-500 studied in humans?

Controlled human evidence is essentially absent.

References

4 citations·no human trials identified

Animal model Awaiting verification

Topical and intraperitoneal thymosin beta-4 increased re-epithelialisation and wound contraction across several rodent wound models, including steroid-impaired, diabetic and aged animals.

Malinda KM, Sidhu GS, Mani H, et al. J Invest Dermatol. 1999;113(3):364-8.PMID 10469335

Animal model Awaiting verification

Thymosin beta-4 promoted hair follicle growth and follicle stem cell differentiation in mice. No corresponding human data exists.

Philp D, Nguyen M, Scheremeta B, et al. FASEB J. 2004;18(2):385-7.PMID 15037013

Review Awaiting verification

A review of thymosin beta-4 function describing actin sequestration, cell migration, angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory signalling as its principal studied mechanisms.

Xing Y, Ye Y, Zuo H, Li Y. Front Endocrinol. 2021;12:767785.

Systematic review Verified

A 2026 scoping review found human evidence concentrated in ocular and dermal wound settings, with musculoskeletal categories comparatively sparse and direct TB-500 evidence limited to a single included study. The literature remains largely preclinical.

Thymosin Beta-4 and TB-500 in Tissue Healing, Regeneration, and Musculoskeletal Repair: A Scoping Review. Appl Sci. 2026;16(12):6202.

Citations are provided for educational reference. Study findings describe what was observed under the stated conditions and model, and do not imply any effect in humans or any recommended use.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-01 · Status: draft · References verified by editorial review before publication.

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Disclaimer: Educational only. Not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For research and educational purposes. Consult a licensed medical professional.