For Research Use Only · Not For Human or Veterinary Use · Not FDA-Approved

— Research monograph

DSIP

delta sleep-inducing peptideemideltide

A nonapeptide isolated from rabbits in 1977 whose gene and receptor have never been identified.

Updated

Class
Nonapeptide (Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu) with no identified gene, precursor protein or receptor
Origin
Isolated from rabbits and sequenced in 1977 by Schoenenberger and Monnier in Basel, who named it for the delta (slow-wave) EEG activity it was reported to induce.

What is DSIP?

Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP, also listed as emideltide) is a nine-amino-acid peptide, Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu. Schoenenberger and Monnier reported it in 1977 after isolating it from rabbits. In double-blind infusions into the brain ventricles of rabbits, synthetic DSIP enhanced delta and spindle EEG patterns, while the fragments and analogs tested alongside it did not (PNAS 1977).

Nearly five decades later its biology remains unsettled. A 1986 review in Peptides described its physiological functions and mechanism of action as still to be established, and a 2006 review in the Journal of Neurochemistry noted that no DSIP gene, precursor protein or receptor had been isolated and that the link between DSIP and sleep had never been established.

The human literature is small and dated. A double-blind, matched-pairs study in 16 adults with chronic insomnia (Neuropsychobiology 1992) reported changes in sleep measures that its authors judged weak, and concluded that DSIP was unlikely to be of major benefit. These findings are reported as literature only. Merit Sciences supplies DSIP strictly for laboratory research use, not for human or veterinary use.

How does DSIP work?

No mechanism has been established. Because no receptor or gene has been identified, proposed actions rest on indirect evidence. Early rabbit work reported increased cortical delta activity and reduced motor activity for several hours after peripheral administration, which its authors read as passage across the blood-brain barrier (Experientia 1977). A 2006 review proposed that an unidentified DSIP-like peptide accounts for the DSIP immunoreactivity reported in many tissues, and noted that certain synthetic analogs, but not DSIP itself, promoted slow-wave sleep in the authors' own rabbit and rat studies.

Research applications

  • Sleep and EEG neurophysiology in animal models
  • Neuropeptide structure-activity studies
  • Blood-brain barrier peptide transport
  • History and methods of sleep-factor research

DSIP at Merit

Research review on The Assay, Merit’s editorial publication: DSIP: What the Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide Research Shows

Form & storage

DSIP ships as a sealed, lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Store sealed, light-protected, and follow your institution’s handling procedures for research materials.

Frequently asked questions

What is DSIP?

Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP, also listed as emideltide) is a nine-amino-acid peptide, Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu. Schoenenberger and Monnier reported it in 1977 after isolating it from rabbits. In double-blind infusions into the brain ventricles of rabbits, synthetic DSIP enhanced delta and spindle EEG patterns, while the fragments and analogs tested alongside it did not (PNAS 1977). Merit supplies it as a lyophilized research compound for research use only, not for human or veterinary use.

How does DSIP work?

No mechanism has been established. Because no receptor or gene has been identified, proposed actions rest on indirect evidence. Early rabbit work reported increased cortical delta activity and reduced motor activity for several hours after peripheral administration, which its authors read as passage across the blood-brain barrier (Experientia 1977). A 2006 review proposed that an unidentified DSIP-like peptide accounts for the DSIP immunoreactivity reported in many tissues, and noted that certain synthetic analogs, but not DSIP itself, promoted slow-wave sleep in the authors' own rabbit and rat studies. Mechanistic descriptions summarize published preclinical findings and are not clinical claims.

Is Merit DSIP for human use?

No. It is sold strictly for research use only: not for human or veterinary use, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.

Is DSIP FDA-approved?

DSIP (emideltide) is not approved by the FDA for any use, and an FDA advisory committee voted against recommending it for the 503A compounding list in July 2026. Supplied for research use only.

How is each batch of DSIP tested?

Every Merit batch is tested by an independent laboratory for identity and HPLC purity before it is listed, and Merit identifies batches by date rather than by lot number. Published certificates are in the COA library at meritsciences.com/coa, searchable by compound.

Regulatory status checked October 22, 2026 against: FDA advisory committee meeting, committee vote report (Healio), FDA Category 2 list.

References

  1. Characterization of a delta-electroencephalogram (-sleep)-inducing peptide. Schoenenberger GA, Monnier M. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 1977 · PMID 265572
  2. Transport of the synthetic peptide DSIP through the blood-brain barrier in rabbit. Monnier M, Dudler L, Gachter R, Schoenenberger GA. Experientia, 1977 · PMID 590449
  3. Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): an update. Graf MV, Kastin AJ. Peptides, 1986 · PMID 3550726
  4. Effects of delta sleep-inducing peptide on sleep of chronic insomniac patients. A double-blind study. Bes F, Hofman W, Schuur J, Van Boxtel C. Neuropsychobiology, 1992 · PMID 1299794
  5. Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a still unresolved riddle. Kovalzon VM, Strekalova TV. Journal of Neurochemistry, 2006 · PMID 16539679

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Reference information summarized from published literature, not medical advice.