GHK-Cu 100 mg
Also known as · Copper tripeptide-1 · Cu-GHK
Copper-bound tripeptide. Deep-blue lyophilised cake — the visual signature of intact Cu²⁺ coordination.
Chemistry quick-facts
- CAS
- 89030-95-5
- Formula
- C14H24CuN6O4
- MW
- 403.9 Da
- Length
- 3 aa
- Status
- GHK-Cu is approved as a cosmetic ingredient (INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1) in the EU, US, and other jurisdictions. No therapeutic approval.
- Purity (HPLC)
- ≥ 99.6%
Mechanism of action
Proposed: transcriptomic modulation across thousands of human genes, SOD-mimetic activity via the copper centre, enhancement of wound-healing signalling, ECM protein stimulation.
Research context
GHK (Gly-His-Lys) is a naturally occurring human plasma tripeptide first isolated by Pickart in 1973. It binds divalent copper with high affinity, forming the 1:1 GHK-Cu complex that is the biologically active form for most studied applications.
GHK-Cu is widely incorporated into cosmetic formulations and has been studied for dermal-regeneration, wound-healing, and gene-expression effects.
Published studies
A non-exhaustive list of peer-reviewed studies referenced when curating this entry. Click through to the primary source for the full text.
- Pickart L, Margolina A (2018). Regenerative and Protective Actions of GHK-Cu — Gene Data Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A (2015). GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. BioMed Research International.
Reconstitution
- Solvent
- Sterile water or bacteriostatic water
- Typical volume
- 2 – 5 mL
- · Characteristic deep-blue solution on dissolution.
- · Protect from light and extended heat exposure.
Storage
- Lyophilised
- −20 °C, desiccated, protected from light.
- Reconstituted
- 2–8 °C in amber glass; use within 2–3 weeks.
- Shelf life — sealed
- 36 months lyophilised.
FAQ
Why the deep-blue colour?+
The GHK-Cu complex absorbs around 550 nm via a d-d transition of the coordinated Cu²⁺. Blue colour = intact complex.
This page summarises the research literature on GHK-Cu 100 mg for in vitro laboratory investigation only. It is not medical advice, not a treatment recommendation, and not a substitute for a qualified physician. Material is sold for analytical chemistry and cell-culture research, not for human or veterinary administration.
- ResearchGHK-Cu 150 mg pen
High-dose GHK-Cu pen from Astranordic. 1.5× the dose of the standard 100 mg vial, in a pre-filled research pen.
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ChemAesthetic's multi-peptide dermal blend. Combines GHK-Cu with complementary signalling peptides commonly co-studied in dermal-regeneration research
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High-dose pre-filled pen version of the Glow dermal blend. 2× the dose of the standard vial kit.
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High-sensitivity C-reactive protein at 2.5 mg/L sits in the 'intermediate cardiovascular risk' category most cardiology research uses. What it measures, what drives it, and how to interpret your number.
- ComparisonGHK-Cu vs generic "copper peptides" — what's actually in the bottle
Most products marketed as "copper peptides" contain GHK-Cu specifically — but not all. The research literature on GHK-Cu is far ahead of any other copper-peptide complex.
- ComparisonGHK-Cu injectable vs topical — what the research literature shows
GHK-Cu research splits between injectable (subcutaneous) and topical (cosmetic / wound-healing) routes. Different penetration, different research applications.