The main types of weight-loss peptides include GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as smegglutide and liraglutide), growth hormone secretagogues (such as CJC-1295), and novel weight-loss peptides (such as acetyl hexapeptide-39). Among these, GLP-1 peptides are the most widely used in clinical practice and have a clear weight-loss effect.
These peptides exert their effects through different mechanisms:
GLP-1 receptor agonists: such as smegglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide, can mimic the effects of the intestinal hormone GLP-1, suppressing appetite, delaying gastric emptying, increasing satiety, and promoting insulin secretion to regulate blood sugar. These drugs have been approved by the National Medical Products Administration for long-term weight management and are suitable for patients with a BMI ≥ 27 and complications or a BMI ≥ 30.
Growth hormone-secreting peptides, such as CJC-1295, stimulate the pituitary gland to release growth hormone, promoting fat breakdown and increasing muscle mass. They are commonly used for body fat remodeling and metabolic improvement.
Novel functional slimming peptides, such as acetyl hexapeptide-39, are claimed to reduce cellulite and provide localized body contouring, but current research evidence is limited, and their safety requires further verification.
Notably, enoglulide, the world's first cAMP-biased GLP-1 receptor agonist, was approved in March 2026 for long-term management of overweight/obese adults. It has shown excellent performance in terms of weight loss (average 15.4%), tolerability, and improvement in cardiovascular and metabolic indicators, with milder gastrointestinal side effects and a treatment discontinuation rate of only 2%.
In addition, telpolide and masidolide, as "bifunctional" receptor agonists, can simultaneously activate GLP-1 and GIP receptors, resulting in stronger weight loss effects (up to 15%-22%), making them especially suitable for people who need to lose a lot of weight. Masidolide also has an advantage in terms of gastrointestinal tolerance.