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Melanotan II

MT-2 · MT-II · Melanotan 2

Sexual HealthPhase II
From$1.38/mgCompare prices
MW
1024.2g/mol
Formula
C50H69N15O9

Melanotan II is a synthetic peptide classified as a non-selective agonist of melanocortin receptors, originally developed to promote skin tanning. Researchers primarily study it for its effects on skin pigmentation, sexual stimulation, and appetite regulation. Key findings indicate that Melanotan II can induce significant increases in skin pigmentation and spontaneous penile erections, while also demonstrating potential systemic toxicity, including rhabdomyolysis and renal complications. Additionally, studies suggest that Melanotan II may influence feeding behaviors by decreasing appetite and food consumption in animal models. Current research continues to explore its pharmacological properties and safety profile, particularly in the context of its illicit use and associated health risks.

Chemical Profile

Chemical Profile

Chemical structure
Chemical Structure
FormulaC50H69N15O9
Molecular Weight1024.2 g/mol
CAS Number121062-08-6
PubChem CID92432
ChEMBL IDCHEMBL4297789

Half-Life

SCSubcutaneous

~1-2 hours

INIntranasal

Not applicable

POOral

Poor bioavailability

Subcutaneous administration is the most studied route, with limited data on other routes.

Mechanism

Mechanism of Action

Melanotan II acts as a non-selective agonist for melanocortin receptors, particularly MC1R, MC3R, and MC4R, activating signaling pathways such as the cAMP/PKA pathway, which leads to increased melanogenesis and skin pigmentation. Additionally, it influences appetite regulation and sexual arousal through its action in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and nucleus accumbens, although the precise mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. The activation of these receptors can also result in adverse effects, including sympathomimetic symptoms and potential renal toxicity.

Research

85 Research Publications

2,387

Total Citations

10

Human/RCT

1.9

Avg. Influence

2024

Latest

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#01

Synthetic melanotropic peptide initiates erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study.

HumanInfluence3.0
161
Researchers observed that Melanotan II effectively initiated erections in 8 out of 10 men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction, with a mean duration of rigidity significantly longer than placebo.
0.01 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 consecutive weeks0.005 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 consecutive weeks0.03 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 consecutive weeks0.025 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 consecutive weeks60 nmol/kgintraperitoneal(rat)chronic treatment20 µg/kgsubcutaneous(rat)per 48 h3 mg/kgintraperitoneal(rat)not mentioned15 nmol/daycentral infusion(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days0.1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned0.3 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned0.1 microgwithin the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(rat)not mentioned1 microgwithin the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(rat)not mentioned
PubMed
#02

Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study.

HumanInfluence2.0
135
The study demonstrated that Melanotan II administration in a pilot phase I clinical trial resulted in increased skin pigmentation and spontaneous erections in human subjects.
6 mgsubcutaneously(human)not mentioned0.01 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 weeks0.03 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned0.025 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned20 microg kg(-1) per 48 hsubcutaneous(rat)not mentioned15 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days5 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days1 mg/kgintraperitoneal(mice)not mentioned0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned0.1 and 1 microgwithin the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(rat)not mentioned0.2 microgintrathecal(rat)not mentioned
PubMed
#03

Differential Function of Melatonin MT

Gobbi Gabriella & Comai Stefano · Frontiers in endocrinology · 2019

ReviewInfluence2.0
132
Researchers reviewed the role of melatonin receptors in the body, focusing on their involvement in various physiological processes. They found that these receptors play a significant role in regulating sleep, mood, and other bodily functions. The study highlights the complexity of melatonin's effects through its different receptor types.

Key findings

  1. 01Researchers observed that melatonin receptors are crucial for regulating sleep patterns.
  2. 02The review highlighted the impact of these receptors on mood and emotional well-being.
  3. 03Researchers found that different types of melatonin receptors have distinct physiological roles.
PubMed
#04

Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: human studies with Melanotan II.

HumanInfluence2.0
111
Researchers observed that Melanotan II significantly increased penile rigidity and sexual desire in men with erectile dysfunction during a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
6 mgsubcutaneously(human)not mentioned0.01 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 weeks0.03 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned0.025 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned20 microg kg(-1) per 48 hsubcutaneous(rat)not mentioned15 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days5 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days1 mg/kgintraperitoneal(mice)not mentioned0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned0.1 and 1 microgwithin the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(rat)not mentioned0.2 microgintrathecal(rat)not mentioned
PubMed
#05

Metallothionein in Brain Disorders.

Juárez-Rebollar Daniel, et al. · Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity · 2017

ReviewInfluence3.0
103
Researchers reviewed the role of metallothioneins, proteins that help manage essential metals in the brain, and their involvement in various brain disorders. They found that certain types of these proteins are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, highlighting their importance in brain health.

Key findings

  1. 01Researchers observed that metallothioneins are crucial for maintaining metal balance in brain cells.
  2. 02The study found that metallothionein III is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
  3. 03Evidence suggests that metallothioneins may also play a role in other neurological disorders.
PubMed
#06

Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization.

ReviewInfluence2.0
95
The study demonstrated that PT-141, a new analog of melanotan II, has shown potential in early clinical trials for improving sexual functionality in both males and females.
6 mgsubcutaneously(human)not mentioned0.01 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 weeks0.03 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned0.025 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned20 microg kg(-1) per 48 hsubcutaneous(rat)not mentioned15 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days5 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days1 mg/kgintraperitoneal(mice)not mentioned0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned0.1 and 1 microgwithin the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(rat)not mentioned0.2 microgintrathecal(rat)not mentioned
PubMed
#07

Agouti-related peptide and MC3/4 receptor agonists both inhibit excitatory hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus neurons.

AnimalInfluence2.0
84
Researchers observed that both melanotan-II and agouti-related peptide inhibited excitatory neurons in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus, suggesting additive inhibitory effects.
6 mgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned0.01 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 consecutive weeks0.005 mg/kg increments to 0.03 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 consecutive weeks0.025 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned20 microg kg(-1) per 48 hsubcutaneous(rat)not mentioned60 nmol/kg of body weight (BW)intraperitoneal(rat)not mentioned
PubMed
#08

Discovery that a melanocortin regulates sexual functions in male and female humans.

ReviewInfluence2.0
79
The study demonstrated that melanotan II enhances sexual function in human males and females by acting at the brain level.
6 mgsubcutaneously(human)not mentioned0.01 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 weeks0.03 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned0.025 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned20 microg kg(-1) per 48 hsubcutaneous(rat)not mentioned15 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days5 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days1 mg/kgintraperitoneal(mice)not mentioned0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned0.1 and 1 microgwithin the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(rat)not mentioned0.2 microgintrathecal(rat)not mentioned
PubMed
#09

Nanostructured porous silicon microparticles enable sustained peptide (Melanotan II) delivery.

Animal
63
The study demonstrated that loading Melanotan II into nanostructured porous silicon microparticles enabled sustained peptide delivery and prolonged physiological effects in vivo.
6 mgsubcutaneously(human)not mentioned0.01 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)2 weeks0.03 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned0.025 mg/kgsubcutaneous(human)not mentioned20 microg kg(-1) per 48 hsubcutaneous(rat)not mentioned15 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days5 nmol/dayintracerebroventricular(male Sprague-Dawley rats)7 days1 mg/kgintraperitoneal(mice)not mentioned0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned0.1 and 1 microgwithin the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(rat)not mentioned0.2 microgintrathecal(rat)not mentioned
PubMed
#10

Orexin-A hyperphagia: hindbrain participation in consummatory feeding responses.

AnimalInfluence8.0
60
Researchers observed that orexin-A increased meal frequency but not meal size in rats, with melanotan II suppressing meal size in the presence of fasting.
0.1 mg/kgi.v.(rat)0.3 mg/kgi.v.(rat)1 mg/kgi.v.(rat)0.1 microgwithin the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(rat)1 microgwithin the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(rat)0.2 microgi.t.(rat)1 microginjected within the corpus cavernosum(rat)0.025 mg/kg(human)20 microg kg(-1) per 48 hs.c.(rat)48 h60 nmol/kg of body weight (BW)intraperitoneal(rat)1 nmol/daycentral infusion(rat)6 days6 mgsubcutaneously(human)
PubMed
Safety

Safety & Handling

Research Gaps

No comprehensive human clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of Melanotan II, particularly regarding its potential renal toxicity and systemic effects. Additionally, the precise mechanisms underlying the drug's adverse effects, such as rhabdomyolysis and sympathomimetic symptoms, remain poorly understood.

Solubility

Melanotan II is soluble in water 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 drug. Not scheduled by the DEA.

🇦🇺AU

Not approved by the TGA. Considered a prescription-only medication.

🇬🇧UK

Not approved by the MHRA. Sale and distribution are restricted.

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

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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