Antimicrobial · Investigational
Nisin
No lawful US pathway
01 · Overview
Nisin is a polycyclic antibacterial peptide (lantibiotic) produced by Lactococcus lactis. It acts against Gram-positive bacteria, binding lipid II, the precursor essential for peptidoglycan assembly, and disrupting the cell envelope.
It contains unusual residues including lanthionine and beta-methyllanthionine, which confer structural stability. Nisin is already approved for use in food preservation but is not approved for human clinical use (PMID 33689548).
02 · Research summary & key findings
Nisin is an established food preservative and has been proposed as an alternative for controlling multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, with many in vitro studies showing therapeutic effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant strains (PMID 33689548). It has not been approved for human clinical use, and in vitro work also documents the emergence of nisin-resistant bacteria after exposure, which is a recognized obstacle to clinical development (PMID 33689548). Therapeutic formulations remain at a preclinical and early investigational stage.
03 · Regulatory status
Nisin is in the investigational stage. While preclinical and early-phase data exist, it has not received regulatory approval for clinical use in the United States.
No lawful pathway today
Nisin is not FDA-approved and does not currently have a lawful prescription or compounding pathway in the United States, so we do not sell it and will not book a consultation for it. That can change: in 2026 FDA began reviewing several peptides for compounding.
See the 3 FDA-approved compounds in Antimicrobial
Tell me if the status changes
One email, only if this compound's regulatory standing actually moves. Not a newsletter, not a sales sequence.
04 · Administration routes
- Topical
- Oral
References
- [1]Nisin resistance in Gram-positive bacteria and approaches to circumvent resistance for successful therapeutic use Crit Rev Microbiol, 2021. PMID 33689548
Primary literature
- PubMed: "Nisin"
Peer-reviewed literature indexed by the National Library of Medicine.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: "Nisin"
Registered interventional and observational studies, including status and phase.
- PubChem: "Nisin"
Chemical structure, molecular properties, and bioactivity data.
Related peptides in Antimicrobial
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational and research purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide therapy. The Peptide Association does not endorse or recommend any specific treatment protocol. See our editorial policy for how this content is produced and reviewed. Clinicians: join the network.