GHK-CU 100mg

🔬 GHK-Cu — Overview

GHK-Cu (also known as Copper Tripeptide-1 or Cu-GHK) is a naturally occurring copper-bound peptide composed of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine coordinated with a copper(II) ion. It was first isolated from human plasma and is found in tissues, saliva, and urine. In research settings, GHK-Cu is studied for its roles in tissue remodeling, wound healing, collagen and elastin synthesis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and regenerative biochemistry.

📌 Brief Functional Description

• Small tripeptide–metal complex that naturally occurs in the body.
• Studied for collagen and extracellular matrix support, wound healing, antioxidant effects, and tissue regeneration pathways in preclinical research.
• Popular in basic research and cosmetic science for skin rejuvenation and dermal biology due to its ability to influence fibroblast activity and structural protein expression.

🧪 Chemical & Structural Information

🔢 CAS Number

• 49557-75-7 — widely referenced CAS for GHK-Cu.

(Some sources also list 89030-95-5 as an alternative CAS depending on salt/form.)

🧬 Amino Acid Sequence

• Gly-His-Lys (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) coordinated with a Cu²⁺ ion.

In one-letter code: GHK with copper bound.

⚖️ Molecular Formula

• C₁₄H₂₄CuN₆O₄ — elemental formula for the copper-bound complex.

(The free peptide without copper is C₁₄H₂₄N₆O₄.)

⚖️ Molecular Weight

• ≈401.9–404.9 g/mol (Da) — approximate molecular mass of the GHK-Cu complex with copper bound.

For the free peptide (without Cu), the weight is around ~340.4 g/mol.

🧬 Chemical Structure

• GHK-Cu is a copper-chelated tripeptide in which the Cu²⁺ ion coordinates with the peptide’s histidine imidazole nitrogen and backbone nitrogen atoms as well as contributions from neighboring groups, forming a stable peptide–metal complex.

The peptide backbone is:

H-Gly-His-Lys-OH  +  Cu²⁺ 

…with copper bound in a chelate configuration.

🧠 Research Context & Mechanism

• GHK-Cu levels in human plasma decline with age, and this decrease correlates with reduced tissue repair and regenerative capacity in older individuals.
• Regenerative functions have been observed in experimental models, including stimulation of collagen, glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and fibroblast activity, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways.
• In dermatological research and cosmetic formulations, GHK-Cu is widely studied for skin health, wound healing, improving elasticity, and cellular matrix support.

⚠️ Safety & Regulatory Notes

• Research Use Only: GHK-Cu is typically supplied for laboratory and investigational research, including in vitro and model organism studies. It is not approved as a therapeutic drug.
• Cosmetic and experimental topical uses often involve formulations designed to stabilize the peptide complex and facilitate delivery to the extracellular matrix.

🧪 Quick Reference