What is LL-37 (cathelicidin)?
LL-37 is the only human cathelicidin, an endogenous defence peptide that damages bacterial membranes and influences wound healing, blood vessel formation and immune responses. It is produced from the precursor CAP-18.
How well studied is LL-37 (cathelicidin)?
LL-37 has mainly been studied as a cream/solution for hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers in small randomised trials. Overall, evidence of clinical benefit is thin; there are no reliable human data on injections “to boost immunity”.
What side effects and risks does LL-37 (cathelicidin) have?
Excess LL-37 is considered a contributing cause of rosacea and is involved in the inflammation of psoriasis, where it can act as an autoantigen. At higher concentrations it can also damage the body's own cells. Grey-market injectable products are untested for purity and sterility.
Is LL-37 (cathelicidin) approved in Germany?
In short: no – still in trials. Not approved as a medicine anywhere; so far tested only in clinical trials. In sport, unapproved substances fall under WADA S0. Quality and infection risk with grey-market products.
Sources
Note: We deliberately do not list any doses here. For approved medicines, your doctor sets the dose; for unapproved substances there is no reliable information.