Lunasin

Soy lunasin, 2S albumin-derived peptide, "Lunasin XP" and similar product names

Food-derived & nutrition

Awaiting medical reviewEN ES DE FR PT ZH+ Follow for updates

Summary

Class: Naturally occurring 43–44-amino-acid peptide from soybean (and other seeds), part of the 2S albumin storage protein; sold as a soy-protein extract enriched in lunasin
Mechanism: Binds de-acetylated histones and inhibits histone acetylation in cell nuclei (an epigenetic brake), inhibits core-histone acetylation and integrin signalling; also reported to reduce HMG-CoA reductase expression
Routes studied: Oral (enriched soy extracts, capsules); intraperitoneal in rodents
Dose range reported: Human: 25–75 mg lunasin equivalent/day in cholesterol studies (products); ALS trial used a commercial lunasin-enriched regimen (several hundred mg soy extract/day) †; rodent 4–20 mg/kg
Half-life: Not characterised in humans; detectable in plasma 30–60 min after soy ingestion in small human studies, protected from digestion by soy protease inhibitors (Bowman-Birk inhibitor)
Storage: Dry capsules/powder: room temperature, sealed
Regulatory status: Food / dietary supplement ingredient; no medicinal approval anywhere

Doses are as reported in studies or by the community — never recommendations.

1What it is

Lunasin is a small protein found in soybeans, first described in 1987 and named by a Berkeley group in the late 1990s after they showed that putting its gene into mammalian cells stopped the cells dividing (Galvez & de Lumen 1999). It contains an unusual tail of nine aspartic acids that binds to chromatin, and an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) cell-adhesion motif. It is present in soy foods at roughly 5–70 mg per gram of protein depending on variety and processing, so anyone eating soy consumes it. Supplements are soy-protein extracts enriched for lunasin, not pure peptide.

It attracted attention first as a possible "cancer-preventive" soy component, then in the 2010s as an ALS treatment after a single patient's dramatic self-reported improvement, which led to a formal trial.

2How it's thought to work

Epigenetic. the polyaspartyl tail binds de-acetylated core histones (H3, H4) and blocks their acetylation, which in cell models suppresses transformation of cells exposed to carcinogens (Galvez 2001).

Integrin/RGD signalling. the RGD motif competes for integrin binding, which may slow cancer-cell migration in culture.

Cholesterol. in liver cells, lunasin reduced HMG-CoA reductase expression and increased LDL-receptor expression (Galvez 2012 — poster-level).

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. reduces NF-κB and inflammatory cytokines in macrophage cultures.

Survival in the gut. soy's Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor protects lunasin from digestion, so meaningful amounts may be absorbed (Hsieh 2010, in rats).

Proposed: a soy peptide reported to bind histones and prevent their acetylation, acting on chromatin rather than at a receptor. The cell and animal work is reasonably consistent; it is poorly absorbed intact, which is the main objection to the oral claims.Schematic — not to scale

3What the research shows

Graded C/D

Cancer prevention

Lunasin reduced skin tumour formation in carcinogen-treated mice and inhibited growth or metastasis of breast, colon and other cancer cells in culture and xenograft models (Galvez 2001, Cancer Res; Hernández-Ledesma 2009; Dia & de Mejia 2011). No human cancer trials. [2][3][5]

Graded A (small, incompletely published)

Cholesterol

Two small randomised, placebo-controlled trials of lunasin-enriched soy products (roughly 25–75 mg/day lunasin for 4–8 weeks) reported LDL reductions of about 6–8% versus placebo; results were presented at conferences (Galvez 2012, Experimental Biology abstracts) and sponsored by the ingredient maker. Full peer-reviewed publication is limited; treat as B-level in practice.

Graded B (negative)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

An open-label, single-centre, 12-month "hybrid virtual" trial in 50 people with ALS (Duke University, NCT02709330) found no effect on histone acetylation in blood or on disease progression (ALSFRS-R) compared with historical controls (Bedlack 2019, Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener). The trial is notable for its design (fast recruitment via PatientsLikeMe) and for being a rare formal test of a community-promoted supplement. The result was negative. [6]

Immune and inflammatory markers

Small pilot studies report changes in immune cell markers after lunasin-enriched soy; no clinical outcome data.

4Reported side effects and interactions

Literature-reported

well tolerated in the cholesterol and ALS studies; GI complaints (bloating, constipation) and the taste of soy extract were the main complaints. The ALS trial reported constipation as a frequent complaint †.

Community-reported

digestive upset; some ALS patients reported fatigue or no change.

Theoretical. soy allergy is a contraindication. Soy isoflavones co-purify in some extracts; relevant to anyone avoiding phytoestrogens. Lunasin's histone-acetylation inhibition is a theoretical concern in anyone taking HDAC-targeting medicines, though no interaction has been shown.

Interactions. none established. High-soy intake may slightly reduce levothyroxine absorption, a soy-protein effect rather than a lunasin effect.

Markers researchers commonly monitor

Marker	Why it's watched
Lipid panel (LDL-C, total cholesterol)	the only human endpoint with any placebo-controlled signal.
hs-CRP	reflects the anti-inflammatory claims; no human proof.
ALSFRS-R and weight	for anyone with ALS using it despite the negative trial, the same measures the Duke trial used.
Thyroid function (TSH)	only for people on levothyroxine using high soy intake.
No compound-specific blood markers are established

Free for everyone. Safety information is never behind a paywall.

5Formulation and handling

Sold as capsules or powders standardised to a stated lunasin content, usually alongside other soy proteins. Lunasin content varies widely between soy varieties and manufacturing processes, so independent assay data matter. Store dry at room temperature. Not injectable; no calculator applies.

6Commonly studied alongside

Soy and pea protein hydrolysates (profile 175), Bowman-Birk inhibitor (its natural protector), soy isoflavones, statins (cholesterol comparators in the sponsored studies).

Informational cross-links. Not stack recommendations.

7Regulatory status by region

Region	Status (checked —)
United States	Dietary supplement / food ingredient (soy extract); no FDA-approved claims; FDA warning letters have been issued to sellers making disease claims †
European Union	Food / food supplement if derived from conventional soy processing; no authorised health claim †
United Kingdom	As EU
Australia	Food or listed complementary medicine depending on presentation
South Africa	Food / complementary medicine †
Sport	Not prohibited by WADA

8Open questions

Does orally consumed lunasin reach human nuclei in concentrations that alter histone acetylation? The ALS trial's blood data suggest not at the dose used.
Independent, fully published cholesterol trials.
Whether any cancer-preventive effect in humans exists beyond general soy-diet epidemiology.

9References

1Galvez AF, de Lumen BO (1999). A soybean cDNA encoding a chromatin-binding peptide inhibits mitosis of mammalian cells. Nat Biotechnol. PubMed · DOI
2Galvez AF et al. (2001). Chemopreventive property of a soybean peptide (lunasin) that binds to deacetylated histones and inhibits acetylation. Cancer Res. PubMed
3Hernández-Ledesma B, Hsieh CC, de Lumen BO (2009). Lunasin, a novel seed peptide for cancer prevention. Peptides. PubMed · DOI
4Hsieh CC et al. (2010). Complementary roles in cancer prevention: protease inhibitor makes the cancer preventive peptide lunasin bioavailable. PLoS ONE. PubMed · DOI
5Dia VP, de Mejia EG (2011). Lunasin induces apoptosis and modifies the expression of genes associated with extracellular matrix and cell adhesion in human metastatic colon cancer cells. Mol Nutr Food Res. PubMed · DOI
6Bedlack RS et al. (2019). Lunasin does not slow ALS progression: results of an open-label, single-center, hybrid-virtual 12-month trial. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener. PubMed
7Hsieh CC, Martínez-Villaluenga C, de Lumen BO, Hernández-Ledesma B (2018). Updating the research on the chemopreventive and therapeutic role of the peptide lunasin. J Sci Food Agric. PubMed · DOI

References are being resolved to PubMed/DOI identifiers; links search PubMed for the citation until then.

† Being confirmed by our reviewers against current sources.

10Community

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Self-reported side effects Phase 2

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11Page history

31 Oct 2026Profile published — awaiting medical review

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