MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: Educational research guidelines only. Lyophilized peptides are investigational chemical compounds and are NOT approved for human consumption, diagnosis, or therapy. Consult a licensed physician before any research application.
Syn-Ake Dosage Chart, Schedule & Reconstitution Protocol
Quickstart Highlights
Syn-Ake (Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate; CAS 823202-99-9) is a synthetic cosmetic anti-wrinkle peptide that mimics Waglerin-1, a neurotoxic peptide from temple-viper venom (Tropidolaemus wagleri). It reversibly and competitively antagonizes the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, reducing acetylcholine-driven contraction of facial mimic muscles so expression lines such as crow's feet appear softened — a topical 'Botox-like' effect (PMID 10087048). It is used topically at roughly 1-4% in serums and creams once or twice daily; manufacturer studies applied 4% twice daily for four weeks. Because the effect is reversible, benefits depend on continued use and regress when stopped. This site models every compound as a subcutaneous reconstitution reference, so the figures here convert the topical regimen into ~250-1000 mcg of pure peptide per application on a U-100 syringe; Syn-Ake is not injected in practice. It is a cosmetic ingredient, not an FDA-approved drug.
Reconstitute: Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water → 5 mg/mL concentration.
Typical dose: Topical 1-4% serum/cream, 1-2x daily (≈250-1000 mcg per application)
Easy measuring: At 5 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 0.0500 mg (50 mcg) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized powder: store frozen at −20 °C, protected from light and moisture. Reconstituted solution (educational model): refrigerate at 2-8 °C and use within ~4 weeks. The real-world form — a finished cosmetic serum or cream — is stored at room temperature away from heat, direct light, and air.
Half-life: No established systemic half-life — Syn-Ake is a locally acting topical cosmetic peptide with no validated human pharmacokinetics; its receptor blockade is reversible, so the effect is temporary and requires daily reapplication.
Route: Topical (leave-on serum/cream, ~1-4%, applied 1-2x daily); minimal systemic absorption. The subcutaneous reconstitution figures on this page are an educational measurement reference only, not a real route of use.
Status: Cosmetic ingredient (INCI 'Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate,' EU CosIng-listed); NOT an FDA-approved drug. Efficacy rests largely on manufacturer/in vitro data. Educational content, not medical advice.
About Syn-Ake
Syn-Ake (Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate) is a synthetic cosmetic peptide that imitates Waglerin-1, a neuromuscular toxin from temple-viper venom, in order to relax the facial muscles that crease the skin into expression wrinkles [1][2]. In the real world it is never injected: it is formulated into leave-on serums and creams at roughly 1-4% of the trade material and smoothed onto the skin once or twice daily. The subcutaneous reconstitution figures below are an educational measurement reference only, mirroring how this site catalogs every compound; they are not how Syn-Ake is actually used.\n\nTo translate the topical protocol onto a U-100 insulin syringe, this guide models a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water (5 mg/mL, or 50 mcg per unit). On that scale an introductory ~1%-equivalent application is 250 mcg (5 units), a standard ~2% application is 500 mcg (10 units), and a maximal ~4% application is 1000 mcg (20 units) [7]. Because the peptide is a reversible, competitive receptor antagonist, its muscle-relaxing effect is temporary and depends on continued use, which is why cosmetic protocols reapply daily rather than dosing in cycles [1][4].\n\nFrequency: Apply topically once or twice daily (the educational subcutaneous model assumes twice-daily dosing). Syn-Ake is a cosmetic ingredient, not an FDA-approved drug, and this content is educational only.
Quick Protocol Navigation
Reconstitution Instruction & Mixing Step-by-Step
Lyophilized powder must be reconstituted carefully. Agitating peptide chains can shear disulfide bonds and render the peptide biologically inert.
Draw 2 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe (this yields a 5 mg/mL solution from a 10 mg vial — 50 mcg per insulin-syringe unit).
Inject the water slowly down the inner wall of the 10 mg Syn-Ake vial; aim the stream at the glass rather than directly at the powder, and avoid vigorous shaking or foaming.
Gently swirl or roll the vial until the solution is completely clear; the result is a 5 mg/mL concentration (50 mcg per unit on a U-100 syringe).
Store refrigerated at 2-8 °C and draw the units for your phase: 250 mcg = 5 units, 500 mcg = 10 units, 1000 mcg = 20 units.
Educational note: Syn-Ake is a TOPICAL cosmetic peptide applied to the skin, not an injectable — these subcutaneous figures are a measurement convention only; in real use the reconstituted peptide would instead be blended into a serum or cream base and patch-tested before facial application.
Interactive Syn-Ake Syringe Calculator
Currently visualizing the 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL bacteriostatic water. Adjust the target dose to dynamically render syringe units.
Reconstitution Calculation: 10mg dry powder in 2mL water yields 5.00 mg/mL. To evaluate a 250mcg dose, pull to 5.0 units (5 syringe ticks).
U-100 Syringe Representation
Educational reference visual. Assumes standard U-100 insulin syringe where 1.0 mL volume = 100 units.
Titration & Dose Escalation Schedules
| Phase | Dose per injection | Units (per injection) |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 — introductory (~1% serum equivalent) | 250 mcg | 5 units (0.05 mL) |
| Phase 2 — standard (~2% serum equivalent) | 500 mcg | 10 units (0.10 mL) |
| Phase 3 — maximal (~4%, manufacturer trial strength) | 1000 mcg (1 mg) | 20 units (0.20 mL) |
Administration guidelines: Refer to guidelines | 2 mL Reconstitution
Research Supplies Quantity Planner
Scientific mathematical planning of syringes, bacteriostatic water and dry vials needed for extended research blocks using the 10 mg vial.
Peptide Vials (Syn-Ake, 10 mg each):
- check8 weeks at 250 mcg twice daily (0.5 mg/day) ≈ 28 mg ≈ 3 vials
- check12 weeks at 500 mcg twice daily (1 mg/day) ≈ 84 mg ≈ 9 vials
- check16 weeks at 1000 mcg twice daily (2 mg/day) ≈ 224 mg ≈ 23 vials — the high count illustrates why Syn-Ake is used topically in dilute serums, not dosed this way
Insulin Syringes (U-100):
- checkTwice-daily model: 14 syringes per week
- check8 weeks ≈ 112 syringes; 12 weeks ≈ 168 syringes
- check16 weeks ≈ 224 syringes (educational figures; in real use Syn-Ake is applied, not injected)
Bacteriostatic Water (30 mL bottles): Use 2 mL per 10 mg vial for reconstitution.
- check8 weeks (~3 vials) ≈ 6 mL ≈ under 1 bottle
- check12 weeks (~9 vials) ≈ 18 mL ≈ about 1 bottle
- check16 weeks (~23 vials) ≈ 46 mL ≈ about 2 bottles
Alcohol Swabs: one to two per application (vial top plus site).
- checkTwice-daily model ≈ 14-28 swabs per week
- check8 weeks ≈ 112-224 swabs; 12 weeks ≈ 168-336 swabs
- check16 weeks ≈ 224-448 swabs; keep extras for re-swabbing multi-use vials
Mechanism of Action (MOA)
Syn-Ake is the trade name for Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, a minimal synthetic peptide (sequence beta-Ala-Pro-Dab-benzylamide, the active free base C19H29N5O3 supplied as a diacetate salt, C23H37N5O7, molecular weight ≈495.6 g/mol) [6]. At under 500 daltons it is small enough to diffuse into the upper skin layers, which is why it works as a leave-on cosmetic rather than requiring injection. It was developed by Pentapharm Ltd. (now part of DSM-firmenich) as a stable, low-toxicity mimic of Waglerin-1, a 22-residue lethal peptide isolated from the venom of Wagler's pit viper / temple viper, Tropidolaemus (Trimeresurus) wagleri [2][3].\n\nThe template toxin, Waglerin-1, is a selective, competitive antagonist of the adult, epsilon-subunit-containing muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (mnAChR); at the mature mouse end plate it blocks acetylcholine responses with an IC50 of about 50 nM, and epsilon-subunit knockout mice are resistant to its lethal action [1]. Syn-Ake reproduces the pharmacophore of that toxin in a much smaller, far less potent molecule. Applied topically, it reversibly binds the postsynaptic mnAChR and competes with acetylcholine, reducing receptor opening, sodium influx, and depolarization, so the underlying mimic muscle contracts less forcefully. The visible consequence is relaxation of the facial muscles that fold the skin during expression, softening dynamic lines such as crow's feet and forehead and glabellar wrinkles [1][4][5]. Manufacturer in vitro data report reduction of nAChR-mediated muscle-cell contraction by up to roughly 80% [7].\n\nPharmacokinetically, Syn-Ake is a local-acting cosmetic agent, not a systemic drug. There is no validated human elimination half-life, oral or subcutaneous bioavailability, or plasma exposure profile, because at cosmetic concentrations it is intended to act within the epidermis and dermo-epidermal junction and is not meant to enter the circulation. Its small size aids penetration of the stratum corneum, but the effect remains essentially local. Crucially, the antagonism is reversible and competitive, so the muscle-relaxing effect is transient and fades as the peptide clears the skin; this is why cosmetic regimens reapply once or twice daily rather than dosing in cycles, and why benefits regress when use stops [1][4].\n\nDownstream, Syn-Ake belongs to the neurotransmitter-inhibitor category of cosmetic peptides, the same functional class as acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline), and is frequently combined with signal peptides (e.g., palmitoyl pentapeptides) in finished formulas [4][5]. Unlike botulinum toxin, which enzymatically and durably cleaves SNARE proteins, Syn-Ake's blockade is non-enzymatic, surface-receptor based, and reversible, giving a milder, fully topical, and temporary cosmetic effect. The subcutaneous reconstitution scheme on this page is a site-wide measurement convention only; Syn-Ake is not a validated injectable and the venom peptide it imitates is systemically toxic, so the figures here should be read strictly as an educational reference.
Clinical Trial Efficacy Highlights
- starMcArdle and colleagues (1999, J Pharmacol Exp Ther) established the target of the venom template: Waglerin-1 selectively blocks the epsilon-subunit (adult) form of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, antagonizing acetylcholine at the mature end plate with an IC50 of approximately 50 nM, while epsilon-subunit knockout mice resist its blocking and lethal effects, confirming the receptor-subtype specificity that Syn-Ake's mechanism is built on [1].
- starWeinstein, Schmidt and colleagues (1991, Toxicon) isolated and sequenced the lethal waglerin peptides from Trimeresurus wagleri venom, characterizing them as ~22-residue peptides that kill by blocking the postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction — the structure-activity work that identified the minimal active motif later miniaturized into the cosmetic dipeptide [3].
- starDebono and colleagues (2017, J Mol Evol), in a paper titled 'Viper Venom Botox,' document that waglerin peptides are deliberately used in anti-wrinkle skin cream to relax facial muscles and reduce wrinkles, and trace their de novo molecular origin within the C-type natriuretic peptide gene of Tropidolaemus venom, providing the evolutionary and pharmacological rationale for Syn-Ake's design [2].
- starManufacturer (Pentapharm/DSM-firmenich) clinical testing applied a cream containing 4% SYN-AKE twice daily for 4 weeks in a study of roughly 100 volunteers (about 25 per group), reporting measurable reductions in crow's-feet wrinkle depth and skin roughness, with reported smoothing in approximately 80% and wrinkle reduction in approximately 73% of volunteers and a peak wrinkle-depth reduction of up to ~52% in the most responsive metric; these are industry-sourced, not independent peer-reviewed endpoints [7].
- starManufacturer in vitro data indicate that Syn-Ake reduces nicotinic-acetylcholine-receptor-mediated muscle-cell contraction by up to roughly 80%, the mechanistic basis cited for its topical anti-wrinkle claim; this is a cell-model result rather than a clinical outcome [7].
- starGorouhi and Maibach (2009, Int J Cosmet Sci) classify Syn-Ake among the neurotransmitter-inhibitor cosmetic peptides (with acetyl hexapeptide-8/Argireline) in their systematic review of topical anti-aging peptides, while emphasizing that controlled, independent clinical efficacy data for this class remain limited and largely manufacturer-generated [4].
- starSchagen (2017, Cosmetics) reviews cosmeceutical peptides and groups neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides such as Syn-Ake as agents that aim to reduce facial-muscle contraction, noting that robust, independently replicated trial evidence across the cosmetic-peptide field is thinner than marketing claims imply [5].
Side Effects & Tolerability Profile
Clinical subjects transiently report mild side effects. Slowly escalating the titration dose represents the single most effective intervention to limit side effects.
- warningApplied topically at cosmetic concentrations, Syn-Ake is generally well tolerated; the most common issues are mild, transient local reactions at the application site — redness, stinging, tingling, itching, or dryness — which are often driven by the overall formulation rather than the peptide alone.
- warningIrritant or allergic contact dermatitis is possible to the peptide or to co-formulated ingredients (preservatives, fragrance, solvents); a patch test on the inner forearm before facial use is advisable, especially for sensitive or reactive skin.
- warningAvoid contact with the eyes, mucous membranes, and broken or inflamed skin; because crow's-feet application is near the eye, keep product off the lash line and rinse if accidental eye contact occurs.
- warningAt cosmetic topical concentrations no meaningful systemic absorption or systemic neuromuscular effect is expected; however, the parent venom peptide (Waglerin-1) is systemically lethal, so the educational subcutaneous reconstitution model on this page must NOT be taken literally — Syn-Ake is not a validated injectable and should not be injected.
- warningUse during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been studied; with no safety data available, caution and professional guidance are warranted.
- warningThere is no established systemic drug-interaction profile, human pharmacokinetic data, or long-term internal-safety record, because Syn-Ake is not used systemically; claims should be interpreted within its cosmetic, surface-acting context.
- warningEfficacy evidence rests substantially on manufacturer and in vitro data; independent, peer-reviewed clinical confirmation of wrinkle-reduction magnitude is limited, so results vary between individuals and formulations [4][5].
- warningRegulatory/research status: Syn-Ake is a cosmetic ingredient (INCI 'Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate,' EU CosIng-listed) and is NOT an FDA-approved drug; it is not approved to treat any medical condition. This page is educational and not medical advice.
Subcutaneous Injection Technique
Most research peptides require subcutaneous injection into fatty tissue. Never inject directly into a blood vessel or deep muscle tissue unless clinically detailed.
1. Site Selection
Common locations include the abdomen (2 inches from navel), outer upper arms, or thighs.
2. Sanitization
Thoroughly clean the selected site, stopper and vial top using 70% isopropyl alcohol prep swabs.
3. Angle & Push
Pinch the skin and insert the needle at a 45 to 90-degree angle. Depress plunger smoothly.
4. Site Rotation
Rotate injection sites continuously to avoid lipodystrophy or tissue scarring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical Syn-Ake dosage?expand_more
Syn-Ake is dosed as a topical concentration, not an injected amount. In finished cosmetics it is used at roughly 1-4% of the SYN-AKE trade solution in a serum or cream, applied once or twice daily; the manufacturer's own studies used 4% twice daily for four weeks. Because this site models every compound as a subcutaneous reconstitution reference, the protocol here translates that into approximately 250 mcg (about a 1% application), 500 mcg (about 2%), and 1000 mcg (about 4%) of pure peptide per application on a U-100 syringe. Those injectable figures are an educational measurement convention only — Syn-Ake is applied to the skin, not injected.
Is Syn-Ake FDA approved?expand_more
No. Syn-Ake (Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate) is a cosmetic ingredient, not an FDA-approved drug. Cosmetic ingredients are not individually approved by the FDA the way drugs are; Syn-Ake is INCI-listed and appears in the EU CosIng cosmetic-ingredient database, but it is not approved to treat, paralyze, or alter any medical condition, and it is not the same as prescription botulinum toxin. Its anti-wrinkle claims rest largely on manufacturer and in vitro data. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
How is Syn-Ake reconstituted and applied?expand_more
In real-world use there is no reconstitution: Syn-Ake comes blended into a leave-on serum or cream and is simply smoothed onto clean skin once or twice daily. For the educational subcutaneous model on this site, a 10 mg vial is mixed with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to give 5 mg/mL (50 mcg per unit); draw the water down the vial wall, swirl gently until clear, and refrigerate. On that scale 250 mcg = 5 units, 500 mcg = 10 units, and 1000 mcg = 20 units. In practice the reconstituted peptide would be incorporated into a formulation base and patch-tested, not injected.
What is the half-life of Syn-Ake?expand_more
There is no established systemic half-life for Syn-Ake, because it is a topical, locally acting cosmetic peptide that is not intended to enter the bloodstream, and no validated human pharmacokinetic data (half-life, bioavailability, plasma levels) exist. What matters cosmetically is that its blockade of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is reversible and competitive: the muscle-relaxing effect is temporary and fades as the peptide clears the skin, which is why it is reapplied once or twice daily and why benefits regress when use stops.
Is Syn-Ake safe, and can it be combined with other peptides?expand_more
At cosmetic topical concentrations Syn-Ake is generally well tolerated, with mild, transient local effects (redness, stinging, dryness) being the main reported issues; patch-test first and avoid the eyes and broken skin. It is commonly combined in serums with neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptides like acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) and with signal peptides such as palmitoyl pentapeptides, a pairing seen across the cosmetic-peptide literature. Note that independent clinical evidence is limited, the parent venom peptide is systemically toxic so the injectable model here is illustrative only, and safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been studied.
Related Guides & Tools
Step-by-step references for reconstituting, measuring, and storing Syn-Ake, plus the universal dosing calculator.
Academic References & Study Citations
McArdle JJ, Lentz TL, Witzemann V, Schwarz H, Weinstein SA, Schmidt JJ. Waglerin-1 selectively blocks the epsilon form of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1999;289(1):543-550. View Scientific Paper →
Debono J, Xie B, Violette A, et al. Viper Venom Botox: The Molecular Origin and Evolution of the Waglerin Peptides Used in Anti-Wrinkle Skin Cream. J Mol Evol. 2017;84(1):8-11. View Scientific Paper →
Weinstein SA, Schmidt JJ, Bernheimer AW, Smith LA. Characterization and amino acid sequences of two lethal peptides isolated from venom of Wagler's pit viper, Trimeresurus wagleri. Toxicon. 1991;29(2):227-236. View Scientific Paper →
Gorouhi F, Maibach HI. Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009;31(5):327-345. View Scientific Paper →
Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16. View Scientific Paper →
National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 71465152, Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate (CAS 823202-99-9). View Scientific Paper →
DSM-firmenich. SYN-AKE product information (Pentapharm), anti-wrinkle peptide derived from Waglerin-1. View Scientific Paper →