LL-37 Protocol, Dosing & Timeline

LL-37 Overview

Mechanism of Action

LL-37 is the only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, a 37-amino-acid amphipathic alpha-helical peptide cleaved from the precursor protein hCAP-18. It directly disrupts microbial membranes (bacteria, fungi, viruses) and also serves as a potent immunomodulator — recruiting neutrophils, monocytes, and T cells to infection sites, promoting wound healing, and modulating inflammatory cytokine production.

Half-Life

~2–4 hours (tissue activity persists longer)

Timing

Morning

Injection Site

Subcutaneous, abdomen

Food

No restrictions

Common Stacks

Thymosin Alpha-1 — Complementary immune modulation
KPV — Anti-inflammatory synergy
BPC-157 — Tissue repair + immune support

LL-37 Dosing Protocol

Immune Support Protocol

2–4 weeks

50–100 mcg daily

Short-term immune boosting during acute illness or infection risk.

Maintenance

2 weeks on / 2 weeks off

50 mcg daily

Cycling for long-term immune resilience.

LL-37 Expected Timeline

Day 1–3

Immune system activation; enhanced pathogen defense

Week 1–2

Improved infection resistance; anti-inflammatory effects

Week 2–4

Enhanced wound healing; sustained immune modulation

LL-37 Side Effects

Injection site redness

Mild fever-like sensation (immune activation)

Generally well tolerated

LL-37 Research Studies

LL-37, the only human member of the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides

Vandamme D, Landuyt B, Luyten W, Schoofs L — Commun Integr Biol (2012)

Comprehensive review of LL-37’s dual role as both a direct antimicrobial agent and an immunomodulator that recruits immune cells and promotes tissue repair.

PubMed: 23060953

Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides and their role in innate immunity

Zanetti M — Curr Issues Mol Biol (2005)

Established the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of cathelicidins against gram-positive/negative bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses.

PubMed: 15580780

LL-37 FAQ

Is LL-37 an antibiotic?

LL-37 is not a traditional antibiotic. It is a naturally occurring human antimicrobial peptide that kills pathogens by disrupting their cell membranes. Unlike antibiotics, bacteria have much greater difficulty developing resistance to LL-37 because it attacks a fundamental structural component of microbial membranes.

Can LL-37 help with biofilm infections?

Research suggests LL-37 can disrupt bacterial biofilms at concentrations below its direct antimicrobial threshold. It prevents biofilm formation and can break down established biofilms, making it potentially useful for chronic biofilm-associated infections.