GHK-Cu

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring complex molecule composed of a tripeptide called GHK (made up of glycine, histidine, and lysine amino acids) bound to a copper ion. The copper ion appears to stabilize and deliver GHK to cells. Research suggests that GHK-Cu may play a potentially essential role in restoring damaged tissues, wound repair, and may support immune response. These hypotheses have sprung from its perceived potential to stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans, crucial intercellular matrix components. In addition to its potential on the intercellular matrix, GHK-Cu may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics that may protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Size

$70.00USD/ 50mg

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications for GHK-Cu
Sequence	Gly-His-Lys (copper complex)
Molecular Formula	C14H23CuN6O4
Molecular Weight	340.38 g/mol
Purity	≥98% (HPLC)
Form	Lyophilized powder
Storage	-20°C, desiccated
CAS	49557-75-7
Also Known As	Cu-GHK, Copper tripeptide-1, 6BJQ43T1I9

Application Areas

Collagen synthesis research

Skin regeneration and wound healing studies

Anti-aging mechanism investigation

Neuroplasticity pathway research

Antioxidant defense studies

Hair follicle stimulation research

Third-Party Tested

Batch COAs

Priority Shipping

For Research Use Only. Products are not for human or veterinary consumption. Not a drug, dietary supplement, or medical device. Sold exclusively to qualified research professionals.

Bio-Engineered Precision

These hypotheses have sprung from its perceived potential to stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans, crucial intercellular matrix components. In addition to its potential on the intercellular matrix, GHK-Cu may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics that may protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Purity Level≥98% (HPLC)

Molecular Weight340.38 g/mol

Molecular FormulaC14H23CuN6O4

SequenceGly-His-Lys (copper complex)

GHK-Cu and Collagen Synthesis

Studies suggest that GHK-Cu may stimulate collagen synthesis and induce in situ tissue recovery. The researchers suggest that these actions may be due to the presence of a GHK triplet in the alpha 2(I) chain of type I collagen. More specifically, the tripeptide sequence composed of glycine, histidine, and lysine, abbreviated as Gly-His-Lys, may be derived during the breakdown of collagen through hydrolysis. This breakdown is typically associated with the disintegration of collagen fibers, frequently resulting from either tissue damage or the natural degradation process.

Proposed Mechanism

It is proposed that the Gly-His-Lys peptide sequence may have a significant impact on cellular communication processes, specifically targeting fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are specialized cells deemed essential in producing new collagen fibers, vital components for structural support in various tissues. The interaction between the Gly-His-Lys peptide and fibroblasts is believed to potentially initiate a cascade of biological events leading to the synthesis of collagen, thereby playing a potential role in the mechanisms of tissue repair and regeneration.

Key Findings

One study lasting a month reported that GHK-Cu might stimulate type 1 collagen production in clinical settings, comparing its potential to other peptides and vitamin C and vitamin A derivatives on photodamaged skin. The peptide appeared to improve all indicators, and the researchers reported an apparent increase in skin thickness, elasticity, and hydration. Another study found that a GHK-Cu to LMW HA ratio of 1:9 appeared to significantly boost synthesis of collagen IV, more so than when either compound was studied independently, suggesting a potential synergistic action.

GHK-Cu and Wound Infection

Both animal and clinical studies have hypothesized that GHK-Cu may reduce inflammation and the risk of infection in wounds. One murine study investigating the potential of GHK-Cu on ischemic open wounds reported that on days 6, 10, and 13, tripeptide-copper complex-treated wounds contained significantly lower concentrations of TNF-alpha and MMP-2 and MMP-9 than control wounds.

Key Observations

A clinical trial that involved GHK-Cu in addition to standard wound care also reported an apparently reduced risk of infection compared to standard processes alone. The study was conducted on models of diabetic neuropathic ulcers, and the rate of infections was only 7% in the GHK-Cu models compared to 34% in the control models, suggesting meaningful potential for infection mitigation.

GHK-Cu and Wound Healing

Studies in rabbits report that GHK-Cu has been tested regarding its potential in wound healing and laser exposure at different intensities. The GHK-Cu and high-intensity laser groups appeared to have a shorter average time for healing and greater neutrophil and vessel counts. There was an apparently shorter median time for the first observable granulation tissue and an apparently faster filling of an open wound with granulation tissue compared to the control group.

Key Findings

The clinical study on models of diabetic neuropathic ulcers reported that GHK-Cu, combined with standard wound care, appeared more impactful for wound closure than standard care alone. The apparent closure rate was three times faster than standard care. The researchers suggested that the enhancement of wound closure was more pronounced (median of 89.2% compared with -10.3% for vehicle) in larger plantar ulcers.

Study Design

In research involving both standard murine models and those adapted to mimic diabetic conditions, wound dressings composed of collagen and infused with GHK were observed to potentially enhance wound healing. By the conclusion of the third week, wounds exposed to dressings containing biotinylated GHK nearly achieved full closure, registering at 99.39%, compared to the 69.49% closure rate observed with control dressings lacking this modification.

GHK-Cu and Active Radicals

Photodamage of tissues such as the skin involves the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and reactive carbonyl species (RCS), which may induce damage to proteins, DNA, and lipids. Studies suggest that the amino acid sequence in GHK-Cu may have anti-RCS potential against radicals such as 4-hydroxynoneal, acrolein, malondialdehyde, and others. Furthermore, it may potentially prevent protein glycation.

Signaling Pathway

One study suggested an 87% decrease in iron release with the help of GHK-Cu to lower oxidation in damaged tissues. GHK-Cu may also reduce the production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines while increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, proposed by an animal study investigating GHK-Cu on lipopolysaccharide-induced lung inflammation in mice. The peptide was suggested to suppress the activation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways associated with inflammation.

GHK-Cu and Wrinkles in Skin Tissue Models

GHK-Cu has been suggested to host potential for improving experimental models of disturbed skin topography, such as wrinkles and fine lines. One study posited that GHK-Cu possibly reduces visible bioindicators, improving skin laxity, and clarity. The peptide apparently also reduced the depth of wrinkles while potentially increasing skin density and thickness after 12 weeks of experimentation in skin cell models with varying degrees of photodamage.

Key Observations

Another investigation focused on the actions of GHK-Cu compared to a control compound and vitamin K. Over a period of 12 weeks, GHK-Cu ostensibly performed better than the controls in reducing epidermal wrinkles, and may also have increased skin density and thickness. In a separate 12-week study in mild to advanced photodamage, GHK-Cu seemingly improved skin attributes such as laxity, clarity, and firmness, and was associated with a reduction in coarse wrinkles and mottled pigmentation.

[1]
Maquart, F. X., Pickart, L., Laurent, M., Gillery, P., Monboisse, J. C., & Borel, J. P. (1988). Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS letters, 238(2), 343–346https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x
[2]
Abdulghani, A. A., Sherr, A., Shirin, S., Solodkina, G., Tapia, E. M., Wolf, B., & Gottlieb, A. B. (1998). Effects of creams containing vitamin C, a copper-binding peptide cream and melatonin compared with tretinoin on the ultrastructure of normal skin-A pilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study. Disease Management and Clinical Outcomes, 4(1), 136-141.
[3]
Jiang F, Wu Y, Liu Z, Hong M, Huang Y. Synergy of GHK-Cu and hyaluronic acid on collagen IV upregulation via fibroblast and ex-vivo skin tests. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Sep;22(9):2598-2604. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15763.
[4]
Canapp, S. O., Jr, Farese, J. P., Schultz, G. S., Gowda, S., Ishak, A. M., Swaim, S. F., Vangilder, J., Lee-Ambrose, L., & Martin, F. G. (2003). The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on healing of ischemic open wounds. Veterinary surgery: VS, 32(6), 515–523https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950x.2003.00515.x
[5]
Mulder, G. D., Patt, L. M., Sanders, L., Rosenstock, J., Altman, M. I., Hanley, M. E., & Duncan, G. W. (1994). Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by treatment with glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine copper. Wound repair and regeneration, 2(4), 259–269https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-475X.1994.20406.x
[6]
Gul, N. Y., Topal, A., Cangul, I. T., & Yanik, K. (2008). The effects of tripeptide copper complex and helium-neon laser on wound healing in rabbits. Veterinary dermatology, 19(1), 7–14https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2007.00647.x
[7]
Alven, S., Peter, S., Mbese, Z., & Aderibigbe, B. A. (2022). Polymer-Based Wound Dressing Materials Loaded with Bioactive Agents: Potential Materials for the Treatment of Diabetic Wounds. Polymers, 14(4), 724https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040724
[8]
Cebrián, J., Messeguer, A., Facino, R. M., & García Antón, J. M. (2005). New anti-RNS and -RCS products for cosmetic treatment. International journal of cosmetic science, 27(5), 271–278https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2005.00279.x
[9]
Miller, D. M., DeSilva, D., Pickart, L., & Aust, S. D. (1990). Effects of glycyl-histidyl-lysyl chelated Cu(II) on ferritin dependent lipid peroxidation. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 264, 79–84https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5730-8_11
[10]
Park, J. R., Lee, H., Kim, S. I., & Yang, S. R. (2016). The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice. Oncotarget, 7(36), 58405–58417https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.11168
[11]
Zhang, Q., Yan, L., Lu, J., & Zhou, X. (2022). Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ attenuates cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema and inflammation by reducing oxidative stress pathway. Frontiers in molecular biosciences, 9, 925700https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2022.925700
[12]
Sakuma, S., Ishimura, M., Yuba, Y., Itoh, Y., & Fujimoto, Y. (2018). The peptide glycyl-ʟ-histidyl-ʟ-lysine is an endogenous antioxidant in living organisms, possibly by diminishing hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals. International journal of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, 10(3), 132–138.
[13]
Leyden J., Stephens T., Finkey M., Appa Y., Barkovic S. Skin care benefits of copper peptide containing facial cream. Proceedings of the American Academy of Dermatology Meeting; February 2002; New York, NY, USA.
[14]
Leyden J., Stephens T., Finkey M., Barkovic S. Skin Care Benefits of Copper Peptide Containing Eye Creams. University of Pennsylvania; 2002.
[15]
Finkley M., Appa Y., Bhandarkar S. Copper peptide and skin. In: Elsner P., Maibach H., editors. Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics: Drugs vs. Cosmetics. New York, NY, USA: Marcel Dekker; 2005. pp. 549–563.

Certificates & Testing

Batch-level purity documentation

Certificate of Analysis