At a glance
Type
Immune-modulating peptide (28 aa)
Molecular weight
≈3108.3 g/mol
Studied for
Immune modulationT-cell responseVaccine adjuvant
Thymosin alpha-1 (Tα1, thymalfasin) is a 28-amino-acid immune-modulating peptide, originally isolated from the thymus — the gland that trains the immune system. It is one of the most clinically studied immune peptides, used in some countries as an adjunct in infection and as a vaccine adjuvant.
How thymosin alpha-1 works
Tα1 is an immunomodulator that acts on both innate and adaptive immunity. It signals through Toll-like receptors (notably TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9) on dendritic cells, activating downstream pathways that shape cytokine output and promote the maturation of helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells — helping the immune system rebalance and respond.
What the research shows
- Chronic hepatitis B (Mutchnick et al., 1999). A randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial evaluating Tα1 in chronic HBV.
- Severe sepsis — ETASS (Wu et al., Critical Care 2013). A multicenter randomized trial of Tα1 as immunomodulatory therapy in severe sepsis.
- Vaccine response (Gravenstein et al., 1989). In older men, Tα1 enhanced the antibody response to influenza vaccine in a placebo-controlled study.
Context & candour: internationally, Tα1 is marketed as Zadaxin (thymalfasin) for hepatitis and as an immune adjuvant — noted for context only. Its human evidence comes from modest, mostly single-region trials, so findings are promising but not definitive. Use belongs under a physician’s guidance.
Molecular specification
| Type | 28-amino-acid immune-modulating peptide (thymalfasin) |
| Sequence | N-acetylated 28-residue peptide (prothymosin α 1–28) |
| Molecular formula | C129H215N33O55 |
| Molecular weight | ≈3108.3 g/mol |
| CAS number | 62304-98-7 |
Quality and sourcing
Every batch of Azzurri Wellness thymosin alpha-1 is compounded through a Registered 503B outsourcing facility under GMP-compliant processes, HPLC-tested for purity and potency, and third-party lab verified. Shipped cold-pack when needed to protect stability.
References
- Mutchnick MG, et al. Thymosin alpha1 treatment of chronic hepatitis B: a Phase III multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Viral Hepat. 1999;6(5):397–403. PubMed
- Wu J, et al. The efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 for severe sepsis (ETASS): a multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Crit Care. 2013;17(1):R8. PubMed
- Gravenstein S, et al. Augmentation of influenza antibody response in elderly men by thymosin alpha one. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1989;37(1):1–8. PubMed
- Tao N, et al. Thymosin α1 and Its Role in Viral Infectious Diseases. Molecules. 2023;28(8):3539. MDPI
Compiled by the Azzurri Wellness Research Team and checked against the cited literature. Educational only — not medical advice.
