A small copper-binding compound that occurs naturally in the body, with levels known to decline with age. It's one of the most extensively studied compounds in skin and wound-healing research, with a substantial body of published literature on its role in collagen production and tissue remodeling.
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK). The tripeptide occurs naturally in human plasma, saliva and urine and binds copper(II) strongly. The complex is also used as a cosmetic ingredient and is studied in cell-culture and gene-expression research.
Also known as: Copper tripeptide-1, Prezatide copper, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II).
Read more in the Research Library: GHK-Cu: a research overview.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
GHK is a three-amino-acid peptide (Gly-His-Lys) that was isolated from human plasma by Loren Pickart in the 1970s. It has a strong affinity for copper(II), and the resulting copper complex is GHK-Cu.
The complex is also used as a cosmetic ingredient, where it is listed as copper tripeptide-1 or prezatide copper. Research publications include cell-culture studies of extracellular-matrix proteins and analyses of gene-expression databases.
GHK-Cu has not been evaluated by the FDA for any use.
Reviews the biology of GHK and GHK-Cu, including increased collagen and elastin production by cultured human dermal fibroblasts at nanomolar concentrations, and analyses of the Broad Institute’s Connectivity Map showing changes in the expression of many human genes.
Pickart L, Margolina A, Int J Mol Sci, 2018 PubMedReview of the literature on GHK and its reported effects on cellular pathways in skin cells.
Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A, BioMed Res Int, 2015 PubMedReview article on the human tripeptide GHK and tissue remodeling.
Pickart L, J Biomater Sci Polym Ed, 2008;19:969–988 PubMedSummaries describe what each cited paper reports in its own model system. They are not claims about the effects of this product.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
| Compound | GHK-Cu |
|---|---|
| Class | Copper(II) complex of a tripeptide |
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys, as the copper(II) complex |
| Molecular formula | C14H22CuN6O4 |
| Molecular weight | 401.9 g/mol |
| CAS number | 89030-95-5 (copper complex) |
| Free peptide (GHK) | C14H24N6O4 · 340.4 g/mol · CAS 49557-75-7 |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Purity | 99.846% — see the COA for this batch’s full report |
| Amount per vial | 50 mg, 100 mg |
| Batch | GH-305 |
| Certificate of analysis | View the COA (PDF) |