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GHK

Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine · GHK tripeptide

Anti-Aging & SkinPhase II
From$0.29/mgCompare prices
MW
340.38g/mol
Formula
C14H24N6O4

GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a naturally occurring peptide found in human serum, saliva, and urine, known for its regenerative properties. Researchers primarily study GHK for its potential in tissue repair and anti-aging applications. Key findings indicate that GHK stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, enhances wound healing, and exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Furthermore, studies suggest that GHK can modulate multiple cellular pathways, influencing gene expression related to skin regeneration and cognitive function. Current research continues to explore GHK's therapeutic applications across various fields, including dermatology and orthopedics, although clinical trials remain limited.

Chemical Profile

Chemical Profile

Chemical structure
Chemical Structure
FormulaC14H24N6O4
Molecular Weight340.38 g/mol
CAS Number49557-75-7
PubChem CID73587

Half-Life

INIntranasal

Not applicable

POOral

Poor bioavailability

Limited pharmacokinetic data available; rapid degradation observed in biological systems.

Mechanism

Mechanism of Action

GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) exerts its biological effects primarily through its copper complex (GHK-Cu), which interacts with various receptors and modulates multiple signaling pathways, including the PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and TGF-β pathways. This modulation enhances collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, promotes angiogenesis, and stimulates cellular processes such as wound healing and tissue regeneration. Although the precise receptors and complete mechanistic pathways remain to be fully elucidated, GHK's ability to upregulate and downregulate numerous genes suggests a complex regulatory role in cellular homeostasis and repair.

Research

36 Research Publications

862

Total Citations

9

Human/RCT

2.1

Avg. Influence

2025

Latest

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#01

GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration.

Pickart Loren, et al. · BioMed research international · 2015

ReviewInfluence8.0
142
The study demonstrated that GHK modulates numerous cellular pathways to enhance skin regeneration and wound healing, while also showing potential therapeutic applications for various medical conditions.

Key findings

  1. 01GHK peptide accelerates wound healing and skin repair by stimulating collagen synthesis and attracting immune cells to injury sites.
  2. 02In cosmetic applications, GHK has been shown to improve skin firmness, reduce wrinkles, and enhance overall skin density.
  3. 03GHK can influence the activity of thousands of human genes, potentially resetting DNA to a healthier state.
15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days
PubMed
#02

X-ray and solution structures of Cu(II) GHK and Cu(II) DAHK complexes: influence on their redox properties.

UnknownInfluence2.0
121
The study demonstrated that [Cu(II)(GHK)] can be reduced to Cu(I) and releases the Cu ion, while exhibiting distinct redox properties compared to [Cu(II)(DAHK)], with implications for biological interactions.
15 mg/kgintranasally(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjected(mice)5 days
PubMed
#03

Oxidized alginate hydrogels with the GHK peptide enhance cord blood mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis: A paradigm for metabolomics-based evaluation of biomaterial design.

In VitroInfluence2.0
73
The study demonstrated that oxidized alginate hydrogels functionalized with GHK significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells compared to gelatin-containing controls.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days
PubMed
#04

Enhanced trophic factor secretion by mesenchymal stem/stromal cells with Glycine-Histidine-Lysine (GHK)-modified alginate hydrogels.

In VitroInfluence2.0
69
The study demonstrated that GHK-modified alginate hydrogels significantly increased the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, enhancing their proangiogenic potential.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)2 months1-mMnot specified(not specified)not specified0.5 mg/cm3not specified(not specified)not specified
PubMed
#05

Cooperative, ion-sensitive co-assembly of tripeptide hydrogels.

In Vitro
49
The study demonstrated cooperative co-assembly of GHK with a structure-forming tripeptide to form hydrogels in response to copper ion complexation.
15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days
PubMed
#06

Skin permeability, a dismissed necessity for anti-wrinkle peptide performance.

Review
49
The study demonstrated that various enhancement methods can significantly increase the skin permeability of anti-wrinkle peptides, including GHK, which is essential for their efficacy in cosmetic applications.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)5 days15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)2 months
PubMed
#07

The Effect of the Human Peptide GHK on Gene Expression Relevant to Nervous System Function and Cognitive Decline.

Unknown
46
Researchers observed that GHK peptide influenced gene expression related to nervous system health, suggesting its potential role in countering cognitive decline associated with aging.
15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days
PubMed
#08

Copper-GHK increases integrin expression and p63 positivity by keratinocytes.

In VitroInfluence1.0
45
Researchers observed that copper-GHK increased keratinocyte proliferation and integrin expression, suggesting enhanced skin regeneration potential.
15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days
PubMed
#09

GHK Peptide Inhibits Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice by Suppressing TGFβ1/Smad-Mediated Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition.

UnknownInfluence1.0
43
Researchers observed that GHK inhibited bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by suppressing TGF-β1/Smad-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days
PubMed
#10

Stem cell recovering effect of copper-free GHK in skin.

In VitroInfluence1.0
42
Researchers observed that copper-free GHK increased the proliferation and stemness of epidermal basal cells in skin equivalent models, similar to the effects of copper-GHK.
15 mg/kgintranasally(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjected(mice)5 days
PubMed
Safety

Safety & Handling

Research Gaps

No randomized controlled human trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of GHK-Cu and Pal-GHK in anti-wrinkle applications. Additionally, the long-term effects of GHK on aging and cognitive function remain unclear, as do the specific molecular mechanisms through which GHK modulates over 4,000 human genes.

Solubility

GHK is soluble in water and aqueous solutions but has limited solubility in organic solvents like acetonitrile and DMSO.

Storage & Handling

Lyophilized

Stable for 2+ years at -20°C, 12 months at 4°C

Reconstituted

Use within 14 days when refrigerated at 4°C

Avoid

Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, direct light

Solvent

Bacteriostatic water or sterile saline recommended

Safety information is derived from published research and may not reflect all known risks. This is not medical advice.

Legal Status

Legal Status

🇩🇪DE

Not approved as a medicinal product. Not a controlled substance. Sale as research chemical is a legal grey area.

🇺🇸US

Not approved by the FDA as a medicinal product. Not a controlled substance.

🇦🇺AU

Not listed under TGA scheduling. Available as a cosmetic ingredient.

🇬🇧UK

Not approved by MHRA as a medicinal product. Available as a cosmetic ingredient.

Legal status information is provided for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulatory changes. Always verify with official government sources before making any decisions.

Community Insights

Community Insights

Publications per Year

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Pricing

Price Comparison

  • BESTDirect Peptides EuropeUK
    200mg
    $57.90
    Price/mg
    $0.29/mg
    View
  • Direct Peptides EuropeUK
    50mg
    $31.37
    Price/mg
    $0.63/mg
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  • Polaris PeptidesUS
    50mg
    $40.00
    Price/mg
    $0.80/mg
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  • OmegaminoUS
    50mg
    $50.99
    Price/mg
    $1.02/mg
    View
  • Peptides.netUK
    10mg
    $31.75
    Price/mg
    $3.18/mg
    View

Top 5 of 15 offers from 17 vendors. Prices updated daily.

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Mechanism

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Mechanism

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Legal Disclaimer

This page is for informational and research purposes only. All information is based on published scientific literature and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Many substances listed may not be approved for human use and may be subject to drug regulation laws (e.g., AMG in Germany, FDA in the US). PepStack does not encourage the use of any substance on humans. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. Use of this information is entirely at your own risk. PepStack assumes no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content provided. Full disclaimer