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GHK

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

Anti-Aging & SkinPhase II
From$0.78/mgCompare prices
MW
340.38g/mol
Formula
C14H24N6O4

GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a naturally occurring peptide found in human serum, known for its role in various biological processes. Researchers primarily study GHK for its regenerative and protective actions, particularly in skin and tissue repair. Key findings indicate that GHK stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, promotes wound healing, and exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, studies suggest that GHK may influence multiple cellular pathways, potentially reversing some effects of aging. Current research continues to explore GHK's diverse applications, particularly in regenerative medicine and cosmetic formulations, while emphasizing the need for further clinical validation.

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) primarily exerts its effects through its high affinity for copper, forming the GHK-Cu complex, which modulates multiple signaling pathways including the VEGF signaling pathway for angiogenesis and the NFκB pathway for inflammation. It influences biological processes such as collagen synthesis, tissue remodeling, and immune cell recruitment, while also upregulating and downregulating numerous genes involved in cellular repair and regeneration. Although the exact receptors and complete mechanisms of action remain to be fully elucidated, GHK's diverse biological activities suggest it acts as a natural modulator of cellular functions.

Research

55 Research Publications

1,567

Total Citations

11

Human/RCT

2.9

Avg. Influence

2025

Latest

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#01

The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling.

ReviewInfluence8.0
206
Researchers observed that GHK-Cu stimulates numerous remodeling processes, enhancing wound healing and skin quality while improving hair transplant success.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days1-mMsolution(not specified)not specified
PubMed
#02

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

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

ReviewInfluence7.0
128
The study demonstrated that GHK modulates multiple cellular pathways, enhancing wound healing and skin regeneration while influencing thousands of human genes.

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/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days1-mMsolution(not specified)not specified
PubMed
#03

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

In VitroInfluence1.0
118
The study demonstrated that GHK and DAHK copper complexes exhibit distinct structural and redox properties, influencing their biological interactions.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days1-mMsolution(not specified)not specified
PubMed
#04

Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data.

Pickart Loren & Margolina Anna · International journal of molecular sciences · 2018

ReviewInfluence6.0
116
Researchers observed that GHK exhibits regenerative and protective actions across multiple tissues, enhancing collagen synthesis and demonstrating anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Key findings

  1. 01GHK-Cu stimulates the growth of blood vessels and nerves and increases the production of important skin proteins like collagen and elastin.
  2. 02The peptide shows protective effects against cancer and inflammation, and may aid in the recovery of lung tissues affected by chronic diseases.
  3. 03Recent genetic research suggests that GHK-Cu influences multiple biochemical pathways, explaining its wide-ranging health benefits.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days1-mMsolution(not specified)not specified
PubMed
#05

The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health.

ReviewInfluence3.0
90
Researchers observed that GHK possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent against age-associated neurodegeneration.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days1-mMsolution(not specified)not specified
PubMed
#06

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
Researchers observed that oxidized alginate hydrogels functionalized with GHK significantly improved osteogenic differentiation of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells compared to gelatin-containing control hydrogels.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days1-mMsolution(not specified)not specified
PubMed
#07

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
#08

Protective effects of GHK-Cu in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation pathways.

Animal
62
Researchers observed that GHK-Cu complex inhibited inflammatory and fibrotic changes in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, reducing collagen deposition and inflammatory cytokine levels.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days1-mMsolution(not specified)not specified
PubMed
#09

The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice.

AnimalInfluence3.0
59
Researchers observed that GHK-Cu treatment significantly reduced inflammatory responses and tissue damage in a mouse model of acute lung injury.
15 mg/kgintranasal(mouse)3 months15 mg/kginjection(mouse)5 days1-mMsolution(not specified)not specified
PubMed
#10

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

Review
46
Researchers observed that various enhancement approaches can significantly improve the skin permeability of anti-wrinkle peptides, including GHK, facilitating their therapeutic effectiveness.
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
Safety

Safety & Handling

Research Gaps

No clinical trials have been conducted to validate the effectiveness of GHK-Cu and Pal-GHK in anti-wrinkle applications or other therapeutic uses in humans. Additionally, the long-term effects of GHK and its derivatives on skin health and overall physiological functions remain unknown, as well as the specific mechanisms by 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

49 total
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Pricing

Price Comparison

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  • OmegaminoUS
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  • Peptides.netUK
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    $31.75
    Price/mg
    $3.18/mg
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Top 5 of 10 offers from 16 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