Giractide is a polypeptide hormone corresponding to the first eighteen amino acid residues of corticotropin in which the 1-serine is replaced by glycine. Giractide acts through the stimulation of cell surface the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) receptors, which are primarily located on the adrenocortical cells. Giractide stimulates the cortex of the adrenal gland and boosts the synthesis of corticosteroids, mainly glucocorticoids but also sex steroids (androgens). Giractide has been studied in animal models to stimulate glucocorticoid production.